Inner Landscapes

A Smooth Guide-for everyday

What is meant by Inner Landscapes?

By Inner Landscapes I refer to the world of the imagination.

This world will be stronger in some who have a vivid imagination than others. For everyone it will be characterised by circumstances and experiences that have occurred in their life, and in particular those with a high emotional charge.

An emotional charge can be positive or negative. Where experiences have given rise to strong memories, for example where something particularly dreadful has happened and the visual memory can flash back very strongly when a stimulus, conscious or unconscious occurs. Extreme cases can be called post traumatic stress disorder. The whole experience is highlighted. At the positive end it could be a concert or a highly emotionally charged moment e.g, the birth of a baby or wedding day.

All our experiences describe our inner landscape and it is a useful metaphor to look back from the present moment and see the mountains and valleys through which you have passed in order to get to this moment in time.

We all love to see dramatic landscapes and this may reframe the past for some people.

What is meditation?

The word meditation derives from the Latin word ‘meditari’ meaning to heal, to think, to contemplate, devise and ponder. ”

Meditation and Mindfulness have been practised for thousands of years usually as part of religious practices. They do not however need to be attached to any particular belief system as they offer techniques for disciplining and quietening the mind in order to access a sense of calm.

The techniques are simple but that does not necessarily mean easy. In our western society today the underlying common denominator tends to have developed into a place where busy..ness and noise tend to be the norm. Nostalgia for the country life rests deep within many and although it is accessed through a rather rosy golden gateway the reality was hard work for most with a limited time for anything but survival.

It was not until the mid to late 1700’s when the countryside, reflected through the eyes of our great poets Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley etc. began our romance with nature and beauty, peace and quiet.

I have been teaching yoga and meditation for over 30 years now and use an eclectic approach of techniques to allow options for each person’s time and preference to begin to access their own still centre. There will be suggested readings and poetry, music and films if you want to look deeper in different ways.

It is a work in progress as indeed you, as people who have agreed to pilot the course, are also an essential part.

Your feedback, your adventure, certainly the process as well as the content will play a part in this developing work.

The intention of this course is to provide a practical introduction to the art of meditation. It is a simple practical guide for anyone to learn how to be still and to access a deeper sense of themselves. Learning how to tap into the treasures of the imagination can bring untold benefits, amongst many for example:

Self Knowledge
Creativity
Relaxation
Self management
Resilience
Empathy
Contentment and acceptance

There are 3 parts to this, considered to be ‘hologrammatic’ i.e. each is a whole in itself! I trust that it will recommend itself to both newcomers as well as crusty old meditators who might find the light and brief exercises to bring new insights into old practices.

Apology, Photographs: Using Google images I have endeavored not to use copyright if I have I apologies. This book is freely available and I know for those who have got this far that your images will have been inspirational. Thank you. If perchance I have please let me know and I will remove them immediately

How to use this e-book There is much information in this book from a wide range of belief systems and practices. Using your reflective diary dip in and out as you will, let the labyrinth of your mind connect with the internet and wander where it will. Create your own creative web and experiences and practice, enjoy the adventure and trust the process.

Part 1: Message in a bottle – you will find a playful dialogue that is both welcoming and offering an overview of the ideas within the whole. It can be downloaded or you can listen to it as a form of relaxation.

Part 2:

A more formal book design that gives a background perspective, whilst essentially secular in approach, the techniques have usually been developed from various religious belief systems, these will be looked at briefly from a historical context.

This book is intended for everyone to learn to tap into their inner resources.

Consisting of words and pictures and filled with beautiful photographs of nature it will offer simple exercises designed to nurture spirit in your own unique way.

Download PDF

Part 3:

A month by month guide to personal development and meditation. Designed to be a personal journey throughout the year it can be used on your own or maybe as part of a new or existing group who may gather together to practice the techniques. Initially it may be much easier to have the support of a group and then continue with relaxation exercises at home in the intervening time.

There will be a guided visualisation to listen to and then discuss creative ideas as you keep a reflective diary and watch in wonder as your creative imagination is offered the right conditions to blossom.

This gentle approach to self reflection is based on the experience of the author, a practising yoga teacher for 30 years as well as a single parent and full time worker. The approaches are for all of us, without necessitating any belief system but the beginning of understanding the phrase know thyself as a being of great value in itself, as opposed to simply being and existing in relationship to others.

Get to know yourself as the wonderful golden being that you are, shimmering with light and expectant with possibilities and potential. Yes I do mean YOU!