Lots of people are exploring ways to enhance their health and boost their immunity! It pays to eat a healthy plantbased diet and be aware of what we consume. For example, around 15% of cancers can be prevented by dietary factors. Optimal nutrition can help us stay healthy and enhance our wellbeing. When I contemplated this soup and the creation of it, there were many unexpected health boosting aspects to it.

The soup was made with foraged spring nettles and wild garlic, as well as cleavers, ground elder and dandelion removed from the garden when weeding.  It contained potatoes and coconut to add some creaminess and some stock for flavour. So what were the unexpected health benefits...

Be kind to your body, gentle with your heart and nourishing to your soul!

With love from my heart to you, Fiona

Being of service to others and the world can bring immense joy and is of amazing value - it's massively inspiring and fulfilling. When offering service, maintaining healthy boundaries is essential if we are to remain aligned and in balance. It's so easy to become exhausted, depleted or resentful through giving too much of ourselves. In this article we explore what it means to have healthy boundaries and how this enhances our lives and that of those around us.

A boundary can be defined as something that indicates bounds or limits and healthy boundaries are about knowing and understanding what our own limits are. Having personal boundaries means maintaining and expressing what feels right and what doesn't, stating what's okay and what's not okay. Boundaries are not necessarily fixed or static, sometimes they may be general guidelines we adhere to, other times they are a recognition of what is right in a particular situation. Each of us is unique and so our boundaries will vary depending on who we are, what our purpose is and what is being invited at a particular point in time. Boundaries can be about how we give of our time and energy, or they are can be around what is acceptable to us from others.

Boundaries require respect and self-love. Setting boundaries and working to preserve them is not only a gift to ourselves, but to the world around us. This is by no means easy. In a world full of societal expectations and "shoulds" we can feel conflicted and find ourselves in roles and situations where we compromise. We end up doing things from a sense of obligation or because we think it is the most loving and kind thing to do. Most of us want to be liked and approved of by others and fear that expressing our boundaries or our own needs would cause upset to others. However in my experience the opposite is mostly true, if we clearly communicate our boundaries with sensitivity and compassion, others are very appreciative, understanding and respect our honest choices. Clear boundaries enhance relationships and mutual respect and help avoid unspoken expectations and misunderstandings.

People pick up on any incongruence between our words or actions and our inner truth or feelings. Being clear and honest about the boundaries that are good for us is vitally important. If we ignore the boundaries that are being invited, resentments can build. Sometimes and especially with those we are closest to codependency and patterned ways of interacting can develop. It requires immense courage, self honesty and openness to recognise unhealthy patterns and to find and implement the appropriate boundaries. In such situations it can be invaluable to get to know ourselves and acknowledge our needs. It can be beneficial to explore and ask "What is being invited now?", to find what is right and come from that place.

At times saying "No" is the most compassionate thing we can do. It encourages and empowers the other to find their own way on their personal journey. At times our not assisting or fulfilling expectations may cause another to feel hurt or some other "unpleasant" emotion. Yet this may be exactly the experience that will help them to grow and evolve.

For example, there have been times in my life when I have been needy and engaged in the drama of situations. I wanted and expected those close to me to act in a particular way and support me. When they didn't it caused me pain and suffering, until I realized that I have all that I need and that the Universe supports me in other perfect ways. When I let go of expectations and become open, I always get exactly what I need and often in the most delightful of ways. I could not have received this insight if others hadn't remained true to their boundaries and for that I am grateful. Often by overly supporting others we disempower them.

It is liberating and empowering to take responsibility for our own experiences, and express out to the world when something is not okay for us or alternatively step forward for something that is right for us. I really appreciate when people are clear and express their boundaries even if it something that I do not want to hear or it causes apparent inconvenience. When we change or live our own truth, those around us are inspired and change too. In the words of Gandhi “Be the change you want to see in the world”, whether that be in your relationships, your working life or other circumstances.

We can best serve the world by being true to who we are and finding what is right in each moment. When we find and express who we truly are, it is so fulfilling, perhaps that is our ultimate purpose in this precious life. Maintaining healthy boundaries supports us in this regard and as a result when we engage with the world we do so with more joy and enthusiasm. When we come from presence and trust in our own truth in any moment, we best serve the Whole. Tuning in and asking the question "Does x serve me?" or "What is being invited in this situation?" can be beneficial in discerning the most aligned way to engage. Living within healthy boundaries energises and fulfills us and helps us stay in balance.

I love this video with Brene Brown where she talks about the value of boundaries and what she discovered through her research...

With love, respect and best wishes for living true to your rightness,

Fiona

I recently embarked on a 10 day silent Vipassana retreat.  Vipassana is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. The possibility of attending this silent retreat had been in my awareness for some time and finally the time arrived. So I enrolled on what was to prove to be a rich and powerful experience, though not in any of the ways I might have anticipated.  I commited to meditating for 10 days and yet on day 8 my soul signalled that it was aligned for me to leave.  A few years back I made a commitment to follow my path of truth at whatever apparent personal cost and that promise is more important than any other and so when I felt the pull to depart early, it couldn't be denied. Here are some of my insights around my Vipassana experience...

While I personally didn't resonate with all of the Vipassana teachings that were offered, I did enjoy practising the Vipassana technique. For the first three days of meditation, we focussed on observing the breath and a small area of the body around the nose, becoming increasingly aware of subtle sensations. Then on day 4 Vipassana itself was taught, which in my understanding is a technique that involves scanning the body observing physical sensations and eventually becoming aware of how the energy is flowing through you.

This technique advocates the dissolution of "sankaras", which could be described as distortions or patterned ways of behaving.  This dissolution happens through observing without judgement of or identification with the arising sensations. All distortions and patterned ways of reacting are said to originate from such sensations and apparently not reacting to them breaks the conditioned patterns of behaviour.  I question where the actual initial trigger point for us is or what it is. Is it these sensations or is it something else?

The practise took me to a deep place, it was delightful to watch and be the observer, without needing anything to change (including the discomfort in my body from sitting for approximately 10 hours a day).  It was wonderful to be in an environment with very few distractions and to allow the mind to relax and let go for such an extended period of time. I greatly value being the observer and watching my reactions to things. Yet, there is a subtle balance between being the observer and becoming distanced from our reality and experience.  With Vipassana equanimity of mind was the signal of success and progress. Such stoicism doesn't feel aligned to me, and leaves us potentially vulnerable to the supression or denial of our feelings.  Such suppression may appear to work for a while, though is it sustainable in the long term?  
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I believe we are here for a human experience to relate to life as it presents itself, to express from our souls and discover more about our true selves. We are here to feel, express and grow. I want to live fully in each moment and I don't feel that this is part of the Vipassana way. 

When I process energy my body tends to involuntarily jerk and shake.  I found that when I was meditating and letting go on day 7 this was beginning to happen and so it felt aligned to skip that evenings discourse and work with the energy that was flowing through me in the privacy of my room.  It felt like an infusion of soul was happening and while physically intense, afterwards I felt much clearer. The following day when in the meditation hall, similar vibrations began to move through my body. I was invited by the teacher to calm the movements down and to open my eyes to come out of meditation if I couldn't control it, as it wasn't helping my meditation practise and could quickly become a habit. This is a fair enough recommendation if the sole intention is to sit still and observe without the mind reacting.  

However for me this energy was spontaneously arising as I softened and surrendered into what I was feeling. It felt like healing was happening through that bodily expression and it was having beneficial effects in other ways.  It felt that such expression was more aligned for me at that point than sitting stoically. I know of people who have had deep spiritual experiences during Vipassana and have felt unsupported by the teachers who advocate observing without any expression or exploration. It feels like the teachers, while well-intentioned, are there to encourage you in following the Vipassana regime and are often ill equiped to deal with what may arise outside of these parameters. 

I then became aware that as an empath, I was sublty feeling energy of others in the room which was being supressed. I noticed this particulaly when I felt a tickle in my throat, then someone left the hall to cough and this experience was repeated a few minutes later. Seeing a hall full of people sitting so still, for hours on end makes me question whether people are authentically following the pull of their souls. It reminds me of attending a gospel music event and people sitting passively in their chairs, it just feels wrong to me.

The soul is vibrant and spontaneous. I felt with Vipassana there is a danger of becoming rigid within the form. Such intense focussing of consciousness could lead to an overriding of rightness. There is a risk of becoming fixed on the practise and not allowing one's unique expression to come through. I think that this is a danger not only with Vipassana, but with any practise we actively engage with.

For me the impulse to leave early arose spontaneously. It came to a point where it no longer felt right for me to follow the practise, infact when I tried, I just couldn't, my soul didn't want to explore the technique anymore. When I internally asked if it were right for me to stay my solar plexus would tighten and in contrast when I questioned if it were right to leave I would instantaneously feel open and expanded. My answer felt obvious through the sensations in my body, despite the fact that from a Vipassana perspective sensations are to be viewed equanimously. Our bodymind is a valuable communication tool and not be ignored. I had gained what was right for me and now it was time to leave.  ​​

Our soul led decisions often defy logic, in this situation I had only less than one intense day of meditation remaining and rationally it would have been easy to convince myself that since I had come this far I may as well complete the course. I wasn't finding it particularly challenging or feeling overly unsettled. Yet the truth doesn't need to make rational or logical sense. The possibility of leaving had previously arose on day 5, however at that point my guidance indicated that it was right for me to stay, there was more for me to experience and I'm glad that I waited and even more pleased that I left when I did!

So in conclusion, while there are potentially great benefits to participating in a Vipassana retreat and many have had profound experiences, I believe the real success is in following your own truth and doing what is right for you in whatever situation you find yourself in.

With love and blessings wherever your truth may take you, Fiona
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As a practising reflexologist, I am continually amazed by the positive effect reflexology can have on people. It can release energetic blockages and held emotions, and encourage deep relaxation.  In this article you will find three useful reflex points that you can enjoy working on at home.  If you have any health issues you are best to see a qualified reflexologist or other health practitioner.  For more information on reflexology visit my reflexology page

Who doesn't love a foot rub?  ​While reflexology practitioners use particular methods of applying pressure, any type of massage or pressure application can be beneficial, so try it out on yourself, a family member or friend - tune in to what works and feels good for you. You can inadvertently work the body through what you do and help it to re-balance.  Enjoy!

I have chosen to share three reflexology points that are easy to locate and work on at home, working on these points has the potential to be deeply relaxing and transformative.  The three points are the pituitary gland, the adrenal glands and the solar plesus...

​Pituitary Gland - The pituitary gland is the primary endocrine gland and controls almost every other gland in our body.  It is located on the inside of the big toe (as illustrated in the diagram) and is often tender. Working on the pituitary gland encourages chemical and hormonal balance throughout the body and can be especially useful for the symptoms of PMT.  

Adrenal glands - Due to our modern lifestyles and high stress levels, we put immense pressure on our adrenal glands, which can lead to adrenal fatigue.  With almost everyone I work with the adrenal glands are tender and thus easy to locate.  The position varies slightly from person to person, it is somewhere on the upper arch of the foot near the inner edge (see diagram below). Have a feel around until you feel a slight lump or hollow, or notice some tenderness. You can rub your thumb or finger on this point using a circular motion or apply gentle pressure where it feels tender.  Working on the adrenal glands helps to allieviate anxiety and nervous tension.  I love massaging the arch of the foot around this area - pure bliss!

Solar plexus - This is a very nurturing point to work, though it appears quite subtle.  It is located at the bottom of the ball of the foot.  Very gently holding this point can be extremely relaxing, the pressure can be extremely light and I usually incorporate this towards the end a reflexology session.  It helps to relieve nervous tension and encourage deep relaxation.

So experiment and enjoy.  Reflexology can be quite impactful so go gently initially and notice how you react.  Stay tuned in and do what feels right for you.  It can also be done on the hands.  As reflexology can be detoxifying and releasing, it is recommended that you drink lots of water, avoid alcohol, caffeine and spicy food after a treatment.  If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Blessings on you and your feet, Fiona

Our souls are inherently free and joyful, our life purpose is to express our authentic beingness.  As well as experiencing the joy and freedom within life, our soul wants to take us to all those challenging places where we get stuck and tight. Why?  So that we can work through and be free of our old patterns, conditioning and karma, that which no longer serves us.  These things cause us to forget who we truly are and working to release them brings lightness, freedom and joy again.  The timeless poet Rumi once beautifully said;

So how do we do this in the midst of all the chaos and challenges of modern living? How can we be our true selves?  I have found a number of things to be of immense value in processing the challenges I face.

• Initially I need to become aware of what is happening, I can do this by watching myself, how am I being within my everyday actions and reactions.  I recommend becoming curious.  What is my motivation? Where am I acting from a place that doesn't serve me or all of life?  How am I invited to be beyond the challenge?  An outer challenging situation is merely a mirror and indicates how I am invited to be internally.
• Linked to becoming aware it pays to be really honest with myself.  Self honesty is another key, which requires courage and vulnerability.
• If I am not clear about what is going on or what is playing out, the whole Universe is there to support me, I only need to ask.  I find putting out the request "Show me" to be of enormous value.  My answers usually land in the form of a knowing, though may also come through signs and synchronicities in the outer world.
• When I see my shadows or distortions, I need to accept them. It is important not to push the discomfort and tightness away as this only suppresses it.  Equally using positive affirmations is a form of denial, covering over the underlying issue.  This may make us feel better temporarily, though in my experience is not an effective long-term solution.
• The next step is to soften into the feelings and tightness.  If I can surrender into my experience, magic can happen.  This is not always easy or straightforward, though I have found that in accepting and softening into pain, it can miraculously dissolve all by itself.
• Finally, when I work through something I find it useful to participate in some form of energy release and self expression.  I find connecting with nature, exercise, dance, singing and shaking really beneficial.

My friends at Openhand have this inspiring video which explores this theme and much more

I'd be very interested in hearing what facilitates you in releasing blockages and finding your unbridled expression.

With love and best wishes for uncovering your authentic beingness and setting your soul free,

Fiona