My meditation journey began 8 years ago now. I started by simply closing my door and sitting in my sacred space that I’d created, which back then was my breastfeeding chair in my room.

Let me tell you, the first 2 minutes felt like forever and I can assure you I didn’t find myself in a zen state. I was thinking about what I could cook for dinner… things I needed to add to my grocery list…. And how in the heck did people sit like that for more than 2 minutes!!! 

But I stuck with it and after about my 5th attempt I found myself feeling this incredible sense of peace wash over me for just a few seconds. It was like I had been washed in love and light. 

I’m here to assure you that it’s OK if it feels weird and uncomfortable at first. Most things you try for the first couple of times do! Meditation is a practice that takes time to get comfortable. It can help if you have a teacher or coach to help walk you through your meditation journey at the beginning.

As meditation is a personal practice, there are probably more ways to do it than anyone knows, so don’t feel like your doing it wrong. Do what feels right for you! Trust your body, feel into it and observe what comes up for you. 

They do it because it makes a huge difference to their lives, not only emotionally, but also physically and spiritually too. I know you will be surprised to know that so many people do it!

Scientists have discovered that when we meditate, our brains stop processing information as actively as they normally would. Meditation decreases negative neurological connections to the prefrontal cortex which decreases feelings of fear, stress and anxiety. 

The research also shows that the gray matter of the brain responsible for emotional regulation, planning and problem solving increases with regular meditation. Amazingly, the area of our brain which regulates how we feel the emotions of stress, fear and anxiety responds to mediation by shrinking!!! 

So what are the mental and physical benefits of a regular mindful meditation practice?

• Better focus: our mediation practice is about focusing our attention on one thing rather than a multitude of things. This actually helps to improve our focus when we aren’t meditating. 
• Reduces Ageing 
• Better memory: Catherine Kerr, a researcher at the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging and the Other Research Center found that those people that practiced regular mindful meditation were able to adjust the brain wave that screens out distraction sand increase their productivity more effectively. 
• More compassion 
• More creativity 
• Helps you appreciate life more 
• Helps you feel more connected 
• Make you feel happier and less stressed 
• Helps you have a good nights sleep 
• Reduces stress and anxiety 
• Increases immunity and helps fight diseases 
• Improves metabolism and helps you to lose weight
• Improves the functioning of your brain  

Although the research confirms that a regular mediation practice can have significant mental and physical benefits there is no research to suggest that one type of mediation is more effective than others. 

That’s because its a personal practice and one way might work effectively you for you whilst another way of doing it is more effective for someone else. This often depends on their beliefs, background, culture and traditions. 

Here is a list however of some of the more popular types. 

• Zen mediation 
• Mantra Meditation 
• Sound bath meditation 
• Spiritual meditation 
• Focused mediation 
• Movement meditation 
• Transcendental mediation 
• Guided Vs Non-Guided mediation 
• Yoga mediation 
• Vipassana meditation 
• Chakra meditation 
• Qigong mediation 
• Calming Vs Insight meditation

I like to mix it up a bit depending on what I intuitively feel my body needs. There’s something truly unique and special about sound bath mediation, but there's also something energetically uplifting about a yoga mediation!!! So don’t be afraid to try lots of different mediation practices! 

I know what you're going to ask me next... Jess, how do we find the time to meditate? I know how it can seem that finding the time to meditate can be exhausting. But I can tell you from personal experience that it will transform both your personal life and your business. 

We all have 24 hours in the day. You don’t have more time than me, nor do I have more time than you. However, the way we prioritise our time will be different. 

Finding 2 minutes a day will start your spiritual transformation! It will help reduce your stress levelsand it will initiate that spiritual connection to your inner guidance system, your spirit guides and the angels if you are open to it. Start with 2 minutes and slowly increase your meditation time. Before you know it, you will be experiencing deep 20 minute mediation sessions with the most incredible guidance and spiritual connection!

Your inner guidance system or your intuition is your inner voice. We all have an inner voice that helps to guide us through life. It’s apart of your soul and your soulful desires.

However, many of us have switched it off, failed to develop it or have chosen to let it be drowned out by the noise of the world.

Every day we are constantly bombarded by the media through things like the radio, television, billboards, social media and the internet. We are always on our computers or phones, and accessible by email, phone, or social media wherever we go! We very rarely truly get to switch off and all that noise seems to drown out our inner guidance system.

For me, it began in the stillness of the African plains on a volunteering holiday in 2008. Out of my comfort zone, away from the incessant noise of the media frenzy! I heard her so clearly for the first time alone in,  vast field staring up at the majestic Mt Kilimanjaro surrounded by natures beauty in the silence. You can read more about that in my book Becoming a Butterfly.

However, what I have found by connecting to my inner guidance system is flow! I know when I’m listening to my inner guidance system, because I feel at ease like I’m floating down a river in the most magical place on earth on a giant floatie and the most amazing things are happening for me, not to me! I don’t feel stressed or pressured nor do I feel like I’m swimming up a raging torrent gasping for air, exhausted, frustrated and anxious! 

When I’m in flow, the Universe places the most beautiful souls in my life who are there to help me. I’m attracting the most amazing clients who are ready to transform their lives. Synchronicities are all around me and I find myself surrounded by butterflies! I receive money from the most unexpected places and scenarios! I feel loved, supported and guided with an inner knowing that my soul is living her purpose and experiencing all that she planned for it.

I want that for you too! To feel connected to your soul, to feel inspired by your soul's purpose and to feel like you are fully supported emotionally, spiritually and financially by the Universe! So let's get you connected! How do we do that? Well, the best way to connect with your inner guidance system is actually through meditation!!! That’s why it's such a big focus in my Private Coaching Sessions. 

Connecting with your inner guidance system is just like any relationship you have. It needs to be nurtured and nourished, requiring an investment of time, space and freedom to grow. Know that this is your journey and there is no wrong way of establishing this relationship; you simply need to build trust, confidence and learn how to communicate with her. If you know your ready to connect to your inner guidance system I would be honoured to love, support and guide you there!