HOA
4 min
Updated: May 19, 2022
Do you ever wonder about the things you have missed — if only you were not so distracted? How often do you take a pause? Not a pause to gather your wits for the next thing, but a concerted effort to put aside the thoughts that cloud your mind and fully embody the vessel that holds you in this physical space. A pause to cultivate awareness.
Carrying these fears and regrets on our shoulders, indulging the recurrent cycles of worry, anxiety, tension and intense emotion — these patterns can really take a toll on our physical health when they manifest as dis-ease in the body. When these automatic and repetitive thoughts are activated, we lose not only our sense of empowerment and self-confidence, but also a large part of our energy is spent unproductively. We must learn that we can only change what is happening in the present. Everything else is an imaginary projection about the future or a despondence about the past that weakens our ability to act right now.
Through the practice of mindfulness we can become more aware of why our minds are distracted and how we can release these unproductive fixations. Originally a Buddhist concept, mindfulness has been co-opted by contemporary psychotherapy in an approach that complements cognitive behavioural therapy for patients who experience major depressive disorder. Mindfulness can alter one’s relations to thoughts, such that they are less likely to influence problematic feelings and behaviours. Meditation is central to the practice of mindfulness, which presents a powerful tool to interrupt the automatic processes that often trigger low moods and depression. Additionally, meditation paves the way to self-inquiry, allowing us to understand ourselves better, to learn what we’re capable of and to reclaim our full potential. Aside from improving our emotional well-being, meditation can improve skills such as attention span, concentration and memory, as well as helping to develop emotional intelligence and improving interpersonal relationships, promoting creativity, decision-making skills and the ability to acquire new perspectives. Meditation ultimately is a discipline that can help us deconstruct the obstacles that take us away from being fully in the here and now.
When the unnecessary thoughts and emotions we carry have dissolved into the ether, what remains is space to accept life as it comes without mental judgment — space for both joy and suffering as innate qualities of our mortal experience. What emerges next is simply compassion and love for the beings that journey with us in this experience called Life. Being present is being connected to all things. We are all one.
We invite you to join Suraya as she welcome YOU into the present moment with some of the most Restorative and Therapeutic ways to ease an active sympathetic nervous system. Suraya has dedicated her practice to various paths of healing, wellness and tranquility. She believes that the combination of the healing frequencies from the sound of the therapeutic musical instruments, restorative effect of yin yoga, stillness for the nature around and the feeling of being in a community can help you to relax and center yourself back within a safe mode of existence.
Book your spot here!
Self-love is something all human beings are worthy of and we hope to see you in our retreat! Price includes goodie bag, yoga and meditation props, refreshments and sessions with facilitators.
Written by Izzy Liyana, content creator & writer for HOA