How often do you think you have ‘the answer’ only to find you’ve changed your mind?

We’re encouraged to identify who we are; we are told to set goals and decide what we want from life. However, this is challenging, especially when everything seems to be in a state of flux. Yet, if we can find balance we can recover a sense of stability and achieve harmony. I realise this is beginning to sound a lot like Mr Miyagi or Mr Han (depending on which version of Karate Kid you’ve seen) but what I find interesting is that this movie was re-made within the space of 26 years. Perhaps it highlights, or rather reinforces the message that young people (and not so young people) are struggling to find a path of peaceful co-existence.

Meditation may be described as a practice of focused breathing that helps you find a sense of balance. It has the potential to increase your capacity to concentrate, retain more of what you learn and access your inner creativity. Meditation offers you an opportunity to develop a focused, relaxed state. Over time, you are likely to notice yourself becoming aware of how your thoughts and emotions effect your beliefs and actions.

This is what mediation helps you do – it helps you connect to your ‘inside self’. This is why meditation is useful. It is particularly helpful when you feel as though you’ve been cast adrift. As you become more aware of yourself and your surroundings, you’re likely to feel calmer, more in control and more confident in your ability to respond to what lies ahead.

This state is often described as being ‘in the flow’.