Often the way we view things, and especially people, is through a prism which has been defined by our culture and upbringing or influenced by something we have been told or learnt. Adjusting our optic changes the way we observe, the way we assimilate, the way we sense and recognise and understand that something is right or wrong.

A year ago we wouldn't have thought we might be reluctant, or even desperately keen to return to our workplace after a long break, but our attitude and feelings have changed. Over the many years I have meditated one of the most important benefits I have received is the ability to be adaptable.

Welcome to Season 4 of The Vedic Conversation, in this episode we talk with George Peterson, a meditation teacher and recovering heroin addict about the part that meditation played in his recovery.

In this episode we're joined by James Brown (not that James Brown!) to talk about his journey with meditation, being the hero of your own story and about his experience of adopting two black children.

In this episode we ask each other some pressing questions:

* What have we missed the most since COVID started?

* Are sexuality and spirituality incompatible?

* What are some things that meditation teachers preach but don’t practise?

In this episode we chat with Vedic Meditation teacher Kelli Douglas about her experience as a single mom and how she uprooted her life in New York and moved across the country to California during the pandemic, with a one way ticket and a single suitcase.

In this episode we ask each other important questions including what are our wildest meditation experiences, how do we answer the ‘need of the time’, and what was something which you didn’t like at the time but turned out to be the best thing that could have happened?

In this episode we are joined by special guest Jameisha Prescod to talk about how meditation can help navigate chronic pain. Jameisha is a BBC journalist and digital creator, who learned Vedic Meditation a couple of years ago and has an extraordinary story to tell about her practice, when suffering from a debilitating illness.

In this episode we talk to doctor, author and meditation teacher Jill Wener and learn about her fascinating journey from practicing traditional medicine to teaching Vedic Meditation.

In this episode, we’re mixing things up a bit and are asking each other some burning questions that have been on our minds, including a fascinating discussion about cults and whether Vedic Meditation is a cult.

In this episode we talk with Jillian Lavender, the founder of the London Meditation Centre and one of the most experienced Vedic Meditation teachers worldwide.

In this episode, we talk about coming out of the spiritual closet with Jenny Blake, the founder of The Pivot Method. Stick around to the end for the takeaway, practical advice you can integrate into your life.

When our awareness increases through a daily practice, such as Vedic Meditation, addictive behaviour soon becomes unsustainable and we become more reliant on our innate wisdom to override them.

The physiological difference between fear and excitement is negligible – it’s our interpretation which makes the difference. The same incident can be perceived as stressful by some people and not by others. Standing back and taking a broader perspective shows us that what we perceive to be overwhelming is part of a bigger picture. By distancing ourselves from the immediate visceral experience we can reduce the mental and physical impact and keep what frightens us in place.

This blog is for those of you who are curious about meditation but have found it hard to get started, or perhaps you have tried to meditate but couldn’t stop thinking? I offer you a simple and easy to practice Vedic Meditation technique, which will make you feel refreshed, energised and happy after 20 minutes.

With so much change going on at the moment, those of us who are rigidly attached to an outcome will find the path becomes bumpy and uncomfortable. If we let go of our intention because it is no longer sustainable or relevant, then life becomes easier and friction free.

Today many business owners recognise that their employee’s skills, experience and commitment are both the greatest assets and the cornerstone of their business. Meditation in the workplace has been shown to enhance a supportive working culture and improve performance, ability and productivity.

When learning to meditate many people assume that they have to concentrate or contemplate something in order to empty the mind of thoughts. Vedic Meditation is a technique which is based on not trying and that thoughts are completely acceptable.

Are you struggling to get enough sleep? Are you regularly going to bed exhausted and not waking refreshed? You’re not alone.

If you are looking around for something which will give you a regular dose of calm and connection - a counterbalance - I may have just what you need.