It was a silent 10-Day retreat, where we didn’t eat after midday, there was no exercise or talking allowed, and we did nothing but sit for 10 hours and observe our breath… every… goddamn… day. 

I hated my first meditation retreat.

With a passion.

And you know, why? 

Because everytime I sat down to meditate, my mind was flooded with conversations about all the things I’d ever done wrong, all the catastrophic things that were going to happen next, and one or two of the greatest things I’d ever done (Thanks a lot, Mind).

Not only was it boring, it was painfully uncomfortable.

For 70 hours, I sat and sweated. 

My mind raved and ranted.

And then, one day – the magic happened.

Somewhere between wondering what I was going to have for lunch and hating the stabbing pain in my right knee, all the bullsh@# noise fell away. 

I slipped into the cool, dark space behind my mind, and I experienced pure bliss. 

Pure presence. 

There’s a space beyond your body and mind, and it’s you. 

We humans are curious creatures. I can talk about my body as if it belongs to me. I hate my body. My body is pretty amazing! And I can talk about my mind as if it belongs to me. Where did my mind go today? 

So that means I know I’m neither Body, or Mind.

Who I am is pure awareness.

So while this retreat was the hardest thing I had ever done. 

It is by far, one of the most beautiful and transformative experiences of my life.

All those thoughts, feelings and inane chatter – none of that is me. I’m not the vast array of mistakes I’ve held onto from the past, and I’m not whoever I think I “have” to be for anyone else. 

I’m the awareness that sits behind the body and mind – that’s my authentic self.

In childhood, we learn to shut down our authentic selves. We’re often punished for raw expressions of our true selves (crying, screaming with laughter), and rewarded for censoring our behaviour and truth.  

So we learn very quickly how to “pretend” to be someone else, to please somebody else. 

When I began to integrate my childhood authenticity, or my true self back into my life, my whole world changed for the better.

Suddenly, I could feel what I really wanted out of life.

I wasn’t weighed down by past mistakes.

I was guided by an uncontrollable sense of knowing what was right.

And best of all, I had the courage to go for it. 

I started meditating everyday and I stopped binge-eating daily. 

Because I ate less crap, I stopped staying up late and scrolling through social media.

Because I quit social media, I had to find other ways to connect, like helping others.

And because helping others felt good, I launched my first wellness company.

Since launching Karmably, I’ve met squillions of healthy, positive people, and surrounded myself with incredibly inspiring people, who only lift me higher!

And here I am. The healthiest, happiest and most loved up I’ve ever been. 

While my 10-Day retreat transformed my life, I also don’t feel that such a STRICT environment is necessary to experience the beauty, bliss and peace of who you are. 

We’re running a LUXURY 3 Day Wellness retreat on October 18th – 20th. Don’t stress. You’re allowed to talk, eat as much as you like! We’ll meditate, play with furbabies, do some yoga, get to the beach and connect.

Here’s a FREE guided meditation to help you let go of how things are “supposed to be” and LOVE how they are. 

SNAG AN EARLY BIRD TICKET TO THE LUXURY 3-DAY RETREAT HERE: 

Need more information? 

Get in touch: 

Ber

berenice@karmably.com.au

0430 020 280

The post Why I hated meditation appeared first on Karmably.

‘I can’t sleep,’ was a nightly occurrence for me.

The moment those three little words appeared out of the smokescreen; I knew I was doomed.

If you’re me six years ago…

You’ve already:

• read a book
• tried to visualise sheep, or a beach
• drunk three cups of chamomile
• cursed the universe and cried, “why me?!”
• And are now a complex mix of fury, bitterness and resignation.

Now about 7.4 million Australians (about four in 10 adults) are suffering from sleep deprivation.

Which is crazy, considering Harvard Medical found, “The negative effects of sleep deprivation are so great that people who are drunk outperform those lacking sleep.”

That’s a lot of drunk people.

And for years, I was one of them.

Until I stumbled upon meditation and turned my upside-down life around.

Now let me level with you.

There is tremendous buzz about meditation as a cure-all for insomnia, anxiety, chronic pain, depression and more – and it can cure these issues.

But only if exercised with consistency, and especially when practiced in conjunction with nutrition and exercise.

Countless studies show meditation is changing the way people eat, sleep and relate to the world.

JAMA Internal Medicine found the effects of mindfulness meditation vs. sleep hygiene education SIGNIFICANTLY improved sleep quality, as well as secondary symptoms like depression, anxiety, stress, and fatigue.

The reason it’s so effective is because what keeps us up is our racing thoughts…

What keeps us anxious is all the energy we’re pouring into the possible catastrophes of the future!

When we un-attach from those thoughts, or let them go, and return to the present moment… we let the anxiety pass, rather than adding fuel to the fire.

Yes, it’s that simple

Here’s an awesome technique to get you a good night’s sleep:

1. Lie down in bed comfortably.
2. Inhale for 4 counts, breathe deep in through the nose and into the diaphragm, letting the belly balloon.
3. Hold for 7 counts at the top.
4. Release for 8 counts out through the mouth.
5. Repeat this 10 times.
6. Observe the natural breath. Your mind will begin to wander. Don’t engage with your thoughts, but don’t crack the whip either. Just gently steer them back to your breath.
7. Do this until you fall asleep, but don’t expect to fall asleep… That’s the trick. Just keep returning to your breath with no expectation.
8. Practice this for ten-fifteen minutes per night.

And remember – Just like when you first start a new gym regime…

Your sleeping patterns won’t change overnight.

With sustained, consistent practice – you’ll rewire the old behaviours and thought patterns.

Your neurons will fire differently.

And (praise the lord), you won’t have to suffer the secondary symptoms of sleep deprivation in your waking life anymore.

Let me know when this works for you, and if you’d like any more tips!

Get in touch:

berenice@karmably.com.au

Love and light, Karma Fam

Ber

The post Drunk People Outperform Sleepy People appeared first on Karmably.

Scrolling for inner peace?

Tried Headspace, your local yoga studio, and even meditating in your weird Auntie’s basement? Still find yourself falling asleep, over-thinking, and wondering why you can’t focus?

Don’t despair.

While studies show 75% of Aussies suffer adverse physical effects from stress – the research also shows meditation reduces pain, improves immunity and is taught in squillions of places around Brissie!

Here are 5 places you can detox, relax, and restore balance to your mind, body and spirit.

Karmably – The World’s Cutest Intro to Meditation

These are the most adorable meditation classes Brisbane has to offer! Humans meditate solo  first, then cuddle baby goats, lambs and occasionally kittens or puppies. As these furbabies enter the space – bringing a deep sense of peace into the mind, body and soul, without the effort! An amazing  introduction to meditation that boosts mood, immunity and leaves you smiling all weekend. Keep your eyes glued to the Karmably Facebook Page though, their events sell out up to three months in advance!

When: Saturday and Sunday mornings

Where: Indigo Soul Wellness, Yeronga | Raw Company, Moorooka

Web. www.karmably.com.au

Price: $39 – $46

Soul Space – Courses Only

Brisbane’s only dedicated meditation studio, Soul Space offers beginner courses with a strong educational component. While there’s no drop-in class option, Soul Space boasts a light, airy space and runs regular 6-week courses for those who are serious about offloading stress and inviting calm in a community setting.

When: Every Wednesday

Price: $170

Location: 23 Parker St, Newmarket

Web: http://soulspacebrisbane.com.au/

Cultivate Calm Yoga – 45 Minute Meditation Class

This yoga studio offers both casual classes and a 3-week course for beginners using a chilled, relatable approach to harnessing the power of awareness and breath to invite happiness and build focus for modern living.

When: every Thursday 8pm

Price. $20 Casual Class. $140 Course

Location: 963 Stanley St E, East Brisbane

Web: https://cultivatecalmyoga.com.au/yoga-timetable-brisbane/

ASMY – 45-Minute-Deep Peace Meditation

Experience a guided meditation without the bells and whistles. Use breathing, meditation and relaxation techniques to invite relaxation into the mind, body and heart. No need to book, just rock up with a gold coin and an open mind.

When: Every Monday 5:30pm, Tuesday 11:00am, Thursday 11:00am and 5:30pm

Price: Gold coin donation (bargain!)

Location: 320 Montague Rd, West End

Web: https://asmy.org.au/locations/qld/brisbane/west-end-yoga-and-meditation/

Vipassana – 10-Day Silent Meditation Course

For those who don’t do anything half-assed. This course is for those who are serious about meditation and want to dive in, face-first, no holds barred. This 10-Day Meditation Course is more like a bootcamp than a retreat, so it’s not for those looking for a heavenly getaway. Using traditional Buddhist techniques, meditators undergo roughly 10 hours of meditation a day in total silence. Break through old thought patterns and leave with deeper clarity, and a stillness you probably haven’t felt since you left your mum’s womb! Make sure you book early, spaces book out 6 months in advance!

When: Check the schedule

Location: Vipassana Meditation Centre, Rules Rd, Pomona

Price: No charge. Donations accepted upon completion.

Web. https://www.dhamma.org/en/schedules/schrasmi

The post The Best Places to Meditate in Brisbane appeared first on Karmably.