We are born into a community of care. This is how we survived as infants. Once we know how it feels to be cared for, it becomes easier to access our innate capacity of compassionate care. We practice attending to our own feelings and needs, while attending to the needs of others. We are all equally human; equally worthy of care. This capacity can even expand out so that we care for the whole planet, and all human and other living beings.

This short somatic meditation practice asks you to check in on your feelings and needs. Notice how your body responds when you hear a universal human need that resonates with what longing you might have in this moment.

A meditation practice to bring your attention to the senses of touch, sound, sight, smell and taste. Once you are able to move through these, you can sit in open awareness, with all the sense doors open.

Ward off, roll back, push and press with Mike Draper

In this first episode of Dave Gardner's Original Condition videocast, we dive deep into an open discussion about the elusive qualities of stillness and silence, the critical necessity for Contemplative Engagement, and the immeasurable nature of compassion as a tool for change. Dave's proposition "Original Condition" is an ongoing community research project into the enquiry of human capacity. He explores movement, meditation, immersion into natural environments and communication to investigate what is our original condition. As I say on my website: "I have spent many years in formal education, and also learnt so much from the Eastern and African Wisdom Traditions. In 2014, I was awarded a PhD in Mindfulness and Education - the first in Africa, apparently! While I appreciate academic rigour, I am more at home in the role of researcher-practitioner, exploring the benefit of these practices in daily life. Nothing gives me more joy than supporting others to develop their own, life-enhancing, contemplative practices". We refer to this article about the Triune Brain by Paul MacLean. Here is the link: https://bit.ly/3iUaDle Visit Lucy's website here: https://www.lucydraperclarke.com/ Visit Dave's website here: https://www.original-condition.com/

A short animation on Mindfulness and Meditation - what is the difference? It also talks about the benefits of practice for your brain, mind and daily life relationships.

This video explains why we find it hard to sit still sometimes, especially when the world feels so unpredictable. If this is true for you, then moving meditation practices might be just what you need to return to a feeling of safety and ease in your body.

A summary of the work I offer: moving meditation, sitting meditation and awareness in action.