Most people come to us knowing they want to lose weight and feel physically better... and on day one discover meditation and yoga and the non-judgemental attitude of the detox and start thriving. From deep within emotional and mental toxins start cleansing themselves and people start feeling better than they have in years. I find the connection between our body and mind fascinating and believe the work on these more subtle layers of mind-spirit to work on the 'policy making' or 'managerial' level of us. Make a small difference at that higher level and see the rest fall into place.

Every retreat is unique and Sho leads the meditation class from a connected place of sensing where people are at and guiding them back towards themselves, to regain connection with their own presence and power that comes from coming home at last.

“Thoughtful and provoking and managed to stay on the right side of the dividing line between helpful and realistic vs mystic/religious.” Julie, January 2009

“I found the meditation astounding and intend to progress from now on. I am becoming more open and receptive to myself and those around me.” Alan, January 2009

“Morning meditations were just perfect mix of guided sitting, reflection and affirmations.” Claire, March 2009

Here are examples of the meditation/contemplation we explore during retreat

Do you believe that you chose your life, or do you feel life is happening to you?

Do you believe that you never do anything you do not want to do (for some reason)?

Actually (here's a bit of shock therapy coming) you could get on a bus today and leave everything and everybody behind! No duty or responsibility really exists in your life, only choice.

So why do we make choices we are not fully happy with?

Is it even possible to be completely fulfilled and happy in the world today?

Many have found that the simplest way to get answers to these questions is to examine life, spending some time daily becoming aware of their life as it happens moment to moment.

Meditation - Finding your inner peace

Basic Meditation:

Sit still for one minute. Close your eyes and calmly listen to your breath, allowing thoughts to appear and depart freely.

At first we can find our minds running around like a 'headless chicken', aimlessly moving between past and future images. Anything but staying still and present!

With time we develop the ability to be still and present. To calmly hear and see subtleties inside and outside, previously invisible to us.

Did you find that calming, and maybe also a little difficult? You are not alone. Surprisingly, our super brain finds it almost impossible, at first, to remain fixed on our present moment without remembering past or imagining future events. This type of concentration and 'just being' is a skill like any other, one that can be learned with practice.

We often get so involved in our daily routines and habits that we forget that these are a picture of our expectations of our life and provide a clear mirror to our present priorities, as we state them! If you are not happy, you can change!

Do you feel your life is not an ideal reflection of your values and true priorities? You probably are aware of the deeper 'Policy making' layer of your mind, and that it's policies might need updating! A lot of us have never examined our beliefs systematically. After all, who has the time?

Life can sometimes seem like a rocky-river ride! However, have we not all experienced the wisdom of the German saying 'Build your house from the rocks (obstacles) along the path'?

Meditation is that time and space, devoted to becoming more aware of yourself in the present moment. The more we know about ourselves the more opportunity we have to live our lives in harmony with our deepest desires. These are also called values and beliefs.

When working with affirmations (one of the guided meditations on Karuna Detox™ Retreats) we align our thoughts, for a chosen period, with a desired outcome. We 'imagine' this desired outcome has already come about, we see ourselves enjoying it's fruition before it has happened! This is called working with the 'I am' energy or 'Manifestation'. It is a well used technique in advertising campaign, and can be used by anyone to develop any aspect of life. Why leave it to advertisers to decide what to introduce next into your life?

Knowing what we are thinking, feeling and truly wanting, in any present moment provides us with the ability to make clear decisions that are in harmony with our ideals and leads to self fulfilment beyond our wildest expectations.

I have heard from Hospice workers who talk daily with people approaching death, that not one of the people dying regrets not making more money or not working harder. Instead they speak of regretting not having spent time developing deeper relationships with their families, and not spending more time travelling and investing in their relationship to earth, the planet they spent their lives on.

'Acceptance' Meditation

Take a moment. Close your eyes. Breath each breath as if this was your first and last breath. Notice the sensations throughout your body. Allow your weight to move down into the ground. Feel your connection to the earth as 'grounding'... Strongly connected to the earth feel your body filling with light lifting energy, lengthening your whole body from the core upwards. Relax into this new open space. Listen to your breaths. Stay with yourself filling yourself with self appreciation just for being there. This self-love and acceptance has the power to heal past events and emotions by embracing them as they rise (instead of elaborating on them as they rise). You can visualise this as holding your own hand, giving yourself a hug or a pat on the back or anything! Then, let it go.

Being with yourself in the present moment can yield surprising results. This moment is, after all, is the one in which everything happens.