CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO BE
YOUR BEST SELF SO YOU CAN FEEL
Wild Awake
My Mindfulness Story
Whilst suffering from a period of mental ill health, depression and anxiety a friend and I attended a meditation class at the Manchester Buddhist Centre. Through bouts of suppressed nervous laughter and not being able to sit for longer than a few minutes, I gave it up thinking it wasn’t for me. A few years later, after a major crisis of confidence and despair, I decided to give it another go and it changed my life forever!
Within weeks, the things that had been dragging me down; low self- esteem, anxiety and loneliness- disappeared. It turns out I had the answer already, it was within me, I just needed help to access it. Wild Awake Mindfulness is driven by my belief and first-hand experience that Mindfulness works, and it can work for you too.
I left a senior role in the environmental sector to focus on sharing Mindfulness with individuals, businesses and communites. I also wanted to create opportunities for people to experience Mindfulness in the natural environment. I grew up being dragged (lovingly) from one peak to the next and although I didnt appreciate the feel-good factor then, i do now. I believe that everyone can have a deeper connection and understanding of themselves and the world around them by being in nature. I love working outside because I know that being in nature opens up our hearts to possibility and therefore our potential to be our best self. From this deeper connection we feel more at ease, calmer and can live a life that feels fulfilling and is Wild Awake
New name and new inspiration
In July 2021 I was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order after 8 years in training and have a new Buddhist name
During the 5 weeks I was away I spent two weeks at a retreat centre where I was ordained and given my new name; Lilasuri (pronounced lee-la-sure-e) which means 'Playful heroine on the Path to Awakening'.
I didn't choose the name it was given to me, and thankfully I liked it instantly, phew!! I then spent two week with two friends who were also ordained walking from the retreat centre near Brecon in Wales to Ledbury, Herefordshire, a total of 80 miles. We camped along the way and walked through the most beautiful countryside. We then spent a week on a meditation retreat.
So what does this mean for Wild Awake Mindfulness?
Other than the change of my name, not much really, its business as usual, however as my name suggests, there is always time for play! Play in the sense of the spontaneous arising of boundless creativity that connects through awe and wonder to all life. So if that sounds like something you would like to try then hopefully we can explore that together at a Wild Awake event.
Hope to see you at one of the events!