Reflections and practices for the Christmas period

I recently sent a message to the students on the I AM University Singapore Training Program which I thought those who have been attending the weekly meditation classes might find of some value. So here it is!:

"As for things to emphasize over the Christmas and New Year period, here are a few ideas:

- Focus on relaxation, regeneration and renewal of your inner and outer energy levels. Christmas can be hectic sometimes, and unless we are careful we can end up speeding through it in the same way that we do the rest of the year! The Winter Solstice and the birth of the Christ can be seen as the rebirth or renewal of the Christ child / Child of Light within ourselves, and an opportunity to begin the new year with a spirit refreshed and revitalized. Give yourself a chance to do this!
- Focus on balanced enjoyment, fun, play, communion with nature and the planet. Christmas may be totally over commercialized and exploit the attachment that children have to the idea of receiving gifts, but we can se through that and really get in touch with the sprit of play and the child within, as well as with our outer children and child relatives!
- Be prepared to look anew at your relationship to giving and receiving. Observe the quality with which you engage with these two fundamental human activities. Deepen your experience of them.
- Look back on 2008. Focus on the things that you have enjoyed and achieved, and that others around you have done and achieved. Increase you appreciation of these things, rejoice in them!
- Think about your core goals for 2009, what inner or outer goals are going to be on the top of your agenda over the next year?
- Focus on quality communication with family and friends. Often during the year we get so caught up in the practical aspects of day to day life that the quality and depth of our communication with those close to us deteriorates. Over the Christmas period, be aware of your speech and interaction with yourself and others, try and make it four or five star quality, rather than just 'budget hotel' service! (I'm not quite sure about that last analogy, but I thought it worth including as it communicates a certain something!)

Wishing you all the very best for the Christmas and New Year periods, it has been a pleasure working with all of you over this last year, and I look forward to being of service in 2009!"

Yours in the creative spirit of God,

Toby

Breathing meditations

Here are three forms of breathing meditation that I have recently published on the 'Creative Qi Gong' Blog:
'Breathing in a circle'
'Wave breathing'
'Core body breathing'