Meditation Classes

"I was nervous to start with, definitely. Meditation was new and unknown and I didn’t know what it was going to unearth.  I feel totally at ease now and look forward to meditating each day and in the class each week.  

Everyone in the class is really friendly.  I felt comfortable pretty quickly and am quite happy to say things without fear of being judged.   I find it really enjoyable. 

I like hearing other people’s snippets of what happened in their week, which is often relevant in my life.  It allows me to look at things from a different angle.  It’s nice to build relationships with some of the others from term to term and to have new people in the group as well.

I like it when Joshua checks in with people during the meditation to see how they are going.  Often I’ll be running off with thought and as Joshua helps another person, it helps me too. 

I like how it is the same but also a bit different from term to term.  Some things just really clicked with me the second time.  Even in weeks one and two – I thought “I wonder if he said that last time.”

Through the meditation class I’ve become much more aware of just how much my mind jumps from one thing to the next throughout the day.  I’ve noticed how often I’m not present.  I also notice now when others are not present – I’ll be talking to them and realise ‘you are not listening’.  

I am realising I have been in this thinking, robot-like condition.  I didn’t really notice all of this before."

"I recommend the course for the skill in which Joshua is able to guide us in meditation.   He has a calmness and tone of voice that is very easy to listen to and that speaks to my heart.

I live a busy life and I find the meditation class allows time for me each week. Applying the fundamental practises Joshua teaches has helped create more space in my life by addressing some of the things that frustrate and trigger me.   With this meditation, awareness is brought to how you are feeling and how you are responding to situations – it’s not just a relaxation program.  From where I am, I certainly appreciate this aspect.

My experience each term that I’ve attended is that there’s been very positive support built very quickly within the group.  I find that we are able to share things that we probably wouldn’t discuss if we just met one another for coffee. 

"I was curious about the meditation course because it seemed to me to be the real deal.  I had been afraid of trying it because my mind was so chattery and my visual mind so vibrant. I had meditated for many years using visualisations (such as walking on the beach or imagining a white light) and thought Joshua’s course would be too hard.  He facilitates the classes without it being a woo woo, hippy sort of thing – no incense, chanting or visualisations (I’m glad about that). 

Even from the very first session, I thought ‘This is great, I’m going to be able to do it.’ 

I feel like I am actually meditating now.   I don’t need to rely on the crutch of having mental pictures.  I feel really empowered, capable within myself and confident as a human being.  It has completely opened up a new part of me and my thinking.

I love the way the class is structured too.  There is time for a long meditation and also learning about our behaviours that we neglect or don’t even think about.  Before I might have criticised my behaviour or another’s behaviour, but now I hear myself saying ‘No, that’s not even important.  Why would I even bother worrying about that?’ 

Meditating with the group was fantastic.  I enjoy meditating by myself, but I get so much more out of being in the group.  I get to hear other people’s experiences and learn something new every class.   I’m quite sensitive to other people’s vibes, but I didn’t feel any interference from others.  In the last couple of classes I experienced a complete expansiveness.

"It’s been really good learning to meditate and checking in each week with how I am emotionally. Prior to this I’d been too busy to think about myself and how the outside world affects me. I noticed how I fill my day with busyness and learnt that it is ok not to always be doing and how beneficial it is to just relax. 

By getting in touch with my inner self I realised that my life could be different to what it currently is. I had plenty of insightful moments where I became aware of my stressors and emotional triggers. It’s been helpful in my relationship with my husband and kids. Instead of feeling like everyone is taking from me, I’m starting to understand more about them. It has helped me come from a more empathetic place.

Before the class I had thought ’Oh dear, it’s going to be difficult meditating with other people, what if I just can’t sit still?’ Actually the energy from everyone else has brought peacefulness. You can always tell when everyone else is peaceful as well. It was good to hear what other people experienced in their practise of meditation. The group helped me to remain focused and inspired me to do my own practise at home.

The most challenging moment for me was to stop my mind wondering. But luckily Joshua provides a calm instructive format to bring my focus back.

These meditation classes are a great way to learn about yourself and how to improve your life."

"Before joining the course I was falling asleep listening to meditation videos on YouTube."

"Initially I was worried about being in a group environment – what others might say, what I would need to say and what other’s might think, but I soon realised that the meditation course attracts honest, genuine people.  There are no big egos in the room.  It was very relaxing after the first week.

The group environment works very well.  When I meditate on my own I don’t get the same feeling and depth as I do in the class.  I also find the sensation-based meditation very beneficial.  The bodily sensation we focus on is real and you can actually feel it.  

What I enjoy about the course is that I can really feel the benefits.  Meditation is a part of my lifestyle now – something I want to do all the time.  Life’s more joyful now when I am present and off ‘clock time’.   I’m finding the pleasure in the simple things in life – a lot of it I never noticed before.  It’s been pretty amazing.  I connect with people a lot better and I work and perform better.   It has been life changing.

"In the meditation course I saw how powerful meditation is to help come into a calm place, even when different emotions are present.   I've become more aware of how I deal with things and can now cope better.   

I look back now and think 'What was I doing?  Why? Why did I get into that place?'  I have an alternative now, I am more aware to pull back, be calm and breathe. 

If you feel you are reacting to situations then meditation can help.  Before joining the course I tried meditating by myself and it wasn't as powerful.  I found it really helpful to be guided in a group environment."