Innehållsförteckning för Issue 4 från WellBeing Being

Being mindful is a space where we recognise every thought, feeling and movement, and accept them as they are without judgement. In the law of nature, everything that arises soon passes. When a personal event happens, your body creates a sensation. Whether it is a good or bad reaction, it varies from each individual. However, the deep sensations arise the same way for everyone. They start from inside your thoughts and can alter how you perceive life. From these perspectives, they slowly lead to habits, personalities and character traits. Moving away from mindfulness, these thoughts can cloud your sense of wholeness. In stillness, you can find the root of your behaviours by slowly unveiling yourself, like peeling away layers of an onion, which in time reveals your core. Being in…

What I see in the world is a hunger for what I call “creative spiritual living” — an expanded sense of meaning, spirituality and creativity — in our business and work, with our friends, partners and children. A deepened connection to nature, food, culture, books, music, art and, most importantly, to ourselves. A creative spiritual life can seem out of reach at times, though. All too often we tell ourselves it’s “too difficult”, “not for us” or “we are too old”. Especially when we talk specifically about creativity. Perhaps there is a little voice inside your head saying you can’t possibly be talented enough, you probably can’t make a living doing what you love and you are selfish by even thinking about it. But what would happen if you didn’t…

Almost 1000 years ago, to understand imperfection was believed to be the path to enlightenment and is a fundamental principle of Zen Buddhism. The premise of Zen is to eschew perfection and permanence, and to acknowledge nature’s cycle of impermanence. Often referred to as “the Zen of things”, the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi has the same philosophical underpinning. In short, wabi-sabi can be described as the beauty of imperfections and, as many authors and academics have found, the practice is intricately layered and complex. But, when we delve deep enough, it offers many tangible practices that can imbue our lives with deeper meaning. A history of wabi-sabi Many have attempted to classify wabi-sabi with words such as passing, fragile, imperfect, broken, rustic and melancholic. But describing the philosophy is a…

This year has been a tumultuous one from the get-go. With bushfires raging across Australia, the lives of humans and animals were lost as land was scorched. Those living in high-risk areas were on alert to evacuate or fight, while many Australians followed the news with horror at the devastation the fires wreaked. Then there was the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic to contend with, and the loss of lives, jobs and freedom (due to physical-distancing laws) that came with it. Further unveiling of race-targeted violence sparked the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement, with many people around the world moved to action. If even reading that paragraph makes you feel weary, it’s no wonder many of us are worn out by the events of this year. In…

“Acceptance of ourselves surrenders us to the peace and relaxation we deserve to know.”— Meredith Gaston From time to time in life, you may experience a “light-bulb moment”. One of mine came along when I pondered the reality that the only certain relationship we have in life is the one we have with ourselves. As poet Rupi Kaur so profoundly writes, “If I am the longest relationship of my life, isn’t it time to nurture intimacy and love with the person I lie in bed with each night.” It made me realise that a lifetime of unhelpful comparisons and self-criticism (forms of non-acceptance) is a lifetime of unnecessary suffering, which is where my journey of self-acceptance and kindness towards myself began. True belonging Humans have an innate need for connection…

Q: Can you please share a bit about the “purity and beauty” philosophy underpinning Organic Merchant? A: I believe that organic consumables are not only better for people, but also for the planet. I spent my childhood in remote Western Australia and was lucky enough to be able to travel across thousands of kilometres of our beautiful country, which instilled in me a great reverence for its beauty. That, along with my green-thumbed family, meant that I developed a deep love for herbs and plants and a strong belief in using food as medicine. It was important to me that Organic Merchant only uses organic and wild-crafted ingredients to ensure we provide the freshest and purest products to the public. That way, they can enjoy our teas to their fullest…

In Mindful Eating, Jan Chozen Bays offers guidance on how to cultivate a healthy and joyful relationship with food by learning how to be present with it. “When we learn to eat mindfully, our eating can be transformed from a source of suffering to a source of renewal, self-understanding and delight,” Jan shares, offering wisdom from her perspective as a doctor and long-time Zen teacher, reflecting that she has “come to trust mindfulness as one of the very best medicines”. She invites readers to engage in practical exercises that bring increased awareness and connectedness to the body, helping you to honour what it needs. This mindful approach encourages a richer relationship with food alongside increased ease and contentment with your eating experience.…

This year has been one of embracing local travel, which makes Ultimate Road Trips: Australia the perfect read to plan your next roadie. Author, award-winning travel writer and self-confessed “road trip junky”, Lee Atkinson sheds light on 40 epic journeys across Australia, outlining detailed route maps, what to see and do in each hotspot, ideal times to visit each location, as well as advice on where to eat and the best hotels, guesthouses, caravan parks and camping spots to explore. It’s broken down into Bucket-List Drives, Long Weekends and Short Breaks, Gourmet Getaways, Coastal Road Trips, Capital City to Capital City, Country Drives, Outback Adventures and Epic Journeys, so you’ll no doubt catch the travel bug while flicking through this handbook.…

Q: What do you enjoy most about being an illustrator? A: I especially like to tell stories. On blank paper, I can create a whole world — to imagine a dynamic city where people run and cross paths or to represent a soothing landscape. There is no routine and no weariness in taking the brush, all I have to do is put the pencil on the paper and the adventure begins. Q: Can you describe your journey to becoming an artist? A: I’ve always drawn, it’s been a good means of expression; I’m not very good at big conversations. As a teenager, I used to create comic books to illustrate stories I made up. As a student at the École des Beaux-Arts, then in textile design, I used to collect…

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 11.1 million Australians returned from short-term overseas trips in 2018. Have you ever wondered about the impact of all that travel? Besides financially boosting the visited country’s economy, travellers leave social and environmental traces behind — good and bad. As the ease of travelling grows and globetrotting becomes more common, a shift to exploring the world more ethically needs to happen — and fast. Here are six ways you can do so. Get to know the locals Accommodation apps such as Airbnb and CouchSurfing have changed the way humans travel. Staying with locals means you can discover their favourite spots for delicious food, fun activities and beautiful views, away from the crowds. When it comes to booking activities, seek out locally…

Meditation is gaining momentum in modern culture. But why is the Western world only just catching up with what ancient Eastern teachings have practised for centuries? I run meditation courses and classes online, and events in the UK, Indonesia, Australia and Mexico, and have had the pleasure of spending time with people from all over the world — sometimes those who are meditating for the very first time. I don’t claim to be a “teacher” or an expert, more a facilitator. In my opinion, meditation is a deeply personal experience. I believe it is about you; finding quiet in your mind and body, connection to the energy that you identify as “self” and that which is beyond it. I see meditation as sacred. A reminder in a busy world to…

For many of us, the subject of napping — and even the act of napping itself — seems a little silly and self-indulgent. If we are healthy, thriving, successful adults, then surely we don’t need to nap like children, right? It turns out that what we often patronisingly refer to as a “nanna nap” or “catnap” actually has profound physical benefits. Napping is also becoming an increasingly serious business. From gyms in the UK to wellness studios in Sydney, napping classes are on the rise. So are “nap bars” or cafes that provide a space for city workers in Europe to doze during their lunch breaks. Napping rooms in corporate offices — something that would have been laughable a decade ago — are trendy now too. This nap renaissance is…

Leaving Australia to backpack around Europe filled 21-year-old me with excitement and my mother with dread. She was less than thrilled at her daughter travelling throughout foreign countries alone, so far from home. My parents tried to convince me to get a backpacking buddy but when none of my friends were able to come along, I was determined to still go. With security advice from my folks ringing in my ears, I departed Australia and arrived in Switzerland. My year-long trip also involved stints in Austria, Germany and the UK, and I loved solo backpacking so much that I returned to Europe five years later, on my own again despite being in a new relationship. My partner was unable to join me but with my tickets booked, I visited Italy…

“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.”Anna Quindlen For balance Ignite by The Essentialists Penguin Random House The Essentialists (Shannah Kennedy and Lyndall Mitchell), also known for their books Shine and Chaos to Calm, have penned their latest self-help offering. Designed as “20 tools to fire up your life”, Ignite will put back the fire in your belly and spring in your step. You can walk through chapter by chapter or just absorb one pearl of wisdom for the day, be it on themes such as Courage, Leadership and Legacy or Grit, Goals and Adversity. Hand-selected quotes from wise elders including Lao Tzu, Oprah Winfrey and Ginni Rometty (executive chairman of IBM) are sure to keep you…

You may already know that burning rosemary can boost concentration, while lavender can send you off to sleep. But did you know that basil can alleviate mental strain, while rose decreases adrenaline? You’ll learn loads from this in-depth look into the art of aromatherapy, whether you are already a fan of essential oils or don’t know your juniper from your sandalwood. Author Pat Princi-Jones explains how to find quality essential oils and correctly use them, through blending, inhaling or topical applications. She guides the reader through the different types of scents (such as resinous, earthy and zesty) to give a deeper understanding of their benefits. The health chapters, including a focus specifically on women’s health, offer tips for using oils to ease ailments and improve your quality of life. This…

In You Were Never Broken, Jeff Foster’s poetry courageously explores the beauty and fragility of what it means to be human. His words capture the vulnerability of living life wholeheartedly and the meaning of feeling truly alive. He invites the reader to move from a place of “existing” to “living” by welcoming the light and dark into their lives with open arms of acceptance and love. Jeff reminds us that we already have all we need to be able to ride the waves of painful internal experiences: our non-judgemental awareness, “moment by moment” presence, a sense of wonder and curiosity, our breath and connection to the earth beneath our feet. It may just leave you feeling inspired to live your life more fully, one moment at a time.…

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”— Jacques Cousteau Dawn days It’s a Wednesday morning at dawn in the middle of June. It’s 2°C outside and the frosty sea air I’m breathing deep into my lungs feels almost as invigorating as a fresh coffee. My mermaid-esque neighbour Eve and I start walking down to the beach and, as we chat, our exhalations make misty clouds in front of our faces. The wintery weather and small, clean swell has made the often-crowded Ocean Grove beach break ours for the taking and we couldn’t be more stoked. A light offshore wind greets us at the shore as morning light starts to blanket across parts of the sky. At this point of the day, and…

Around 5000 years ago, the sages of India developed a holistic system of medicine referred to as Ayurveda, a Sanskrit word that translates to the science of life. Interestingly, Ayurveda, which originated from the Vedic system of knowledge, is complementary to yoga. At the heart of Ayurveda is the inextricable link between mind and body, which, when in balance, is believed to promote long-term health and wellbeing. And while the principles cover nutrition, movement, mindfulness and self-care, Ayurveda also offers rich teachings to enhance our energy centres and inner state of consciousness. Practitioners believe that once we have entered into a state of balance, we achieve the most pure, true and beautiful embodiment of ourselves. And this is believed to be the essence of beauty. A world away from Western…

The world was a very different place when I first sat down to pen this article. I was looking forward to a year of travelling, teaching and sharing around the world; all the things I would define for myself as living “heart forward”. In an instant, the world changed. Now, here we are living in a time that asks us to live into our hearts more than ever. To live “heart open, love forward” sounds like a whimsical quote to hang on your wall. For me, this is a concept I’ve been exploring for many years and one that continues to evolve. Practically speaking, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. So you might wonder, what does it actually mean to live heart forward? The heart in its essence is unbounded.…

Similar to your wellbeing but distinguished by the health of your gastro-intestinal tract (gut), your “gut-being” is defined by a complex combination of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social factors. When nurtured and aligned, these factors synergistically contribute to your happiness and life satisfaction. If one factor is affected, your global gut-being is affected. In addition to the absence of disease and illness, your gut-being is also characterised by your gut feelings, with some people harnessing intuitive gut feelings for decision-making. Your gut-being influences your overall mood, cognition, energy and happiness, and is ultimately founded on the health status of your gut. Your six gut pillars Your gut-being is a beautifully complex organic ecosystem that will flourish when nurtured but grow weeds when not looked after. Good gut health influences…

When you’re welcomed onto Country by Aboriginal people, you’re being invited to feel and become connected with all the living things on it; from the earth to the stars, the sea, birds and animals — one big community. When I hear Aboriginal people talk about being on Country, I see their eyes light up and hear the warmth in their voice. They’re tapping into that feeling — a kind of deep listening that takes them back through their family heritage, back through millennia, to their Dreaming and where they came from. Walking on Country is a cultural and wellbeing practice that connects you with the essence of the land. As a young man with European heritage, I didn’t expect that spending time with Tasmania’s First Nations people would have such…

Recently, I began a daily gratitude practice. Every morning when I shower, I list 10 things I’m thankful for. On a good day, it might be my relationships, the glorious weather and a recent, delicious yoga practice. On a bad day, it may simply be the roof over my head and food in my belly. It doesn’t always come easy, but it does somehow allow me to see my life through a slightly different, more expansive lens (you know, one where I realise for a moment that I’m not actually the centre of the universe). On the surface, having a gratitude practice sounds a bit irksome — like the kind of thing your mum would have insisted upon when you were a kid complaining about eating your broccoli (ie, “Don’t…

Following on from her book Less Stuff, Lindsay Miles tackles food and packaging waste in her newest read, The Less Waste, No Fuss Kitchen. Her pragmatic approach is encouraging, as she acknowledges that not many of us will be able to grow all our own produce and be able to fit a year’s packaging waste into a Mason jar. Lindsay offers suggestions depending on “fuss level”, from prioritising recyclable packaging as an easy option to buying all your groceries unpackaged for those who really want to commit. As well as offering practical tips, such as setting up a composting system and looking for packaging alternatives, the book includes recipes and cooking tips. It also delves into some of the issues at hand when it comes to making “climate-friendly food choices”,…

Not only does spending time outdoors give you a literal breath of fresh air, it’s also a conduit for cultivating calm. In fforest, author Sian Tucker refers to “simple” as both a way of being and a place; it’s a notion that lends itself to slowing down and embracing stillness, which is put into practice on her 200-acre farm surrounded by ancient oak woods on the edge of the Teifi Gorge in Wales. “By finding time to tune in to the pace of the natural world and letting our minds be still, we will learn to appreciate the rich diversity of where we are,” says Sian. And one of the ways she suggests being, doing and making in nature is by stepping outside into your garden to grow, and then…

It’s refreshing to read a meditation guidebook from someone who honestly gets how challenging meditating can be. Author Caitlin Cady admits to struggling with meditation in the past, “grinning and bearing it” before bailing on her practice commitments altogether. When a culmination of health concerns made her get more serious about pursuing meditation, Caitlin found that through sticking with it, she became calmer, more focused and healthier. Her book gives tips on everything from sitting posture, best times of the day for your practice, maintaining motivation and how to set goals to keep you meditating. Whether you’re new to meditation, have tried it in the past and don’t think it’s for you as you “can’t stop your thoughts” or already are a regular meditator, Heavily Meditated is a solid read…

Joy, purpose and satisfaction are threads of happiness that weave together in three of the statistically happiest places on Earth in Denmark, Costa Rica and Singapore. Focusing on pleasure, purpose and a sense of pride in life, The Blue Zones of Happiness is rich in wisdom, inspiration and advice on how to be your happiest self. Author Dan Buettner transports you into communities that embody practices of living well, from cycling in Copenhagen to impromptu happy hour in San José, so you can “shape your surroundings for happiness”. Also highlighting the importance of feeling happy in your internal world makes this book an all-encompassing read on radiating joy from the inside out.…