Meditation is the practice of consciously silencing the busy chattering mind, and this powerful form of mind-training is found at the heart of the world’s spiritual traditions. The fact that we find it across all cultures and religions means that meditation is not something esoteric or exotic, but inherently human.
The cultivation of a silent, spacious and thought-free mind, is variously referred to as Samadhi, Shamatha, Yoga, Serenity, Tranquillity, Mu-Shin, Zen, Inner Peace or Mental Quietude. In the shamanic traditions, it is called stopping the world.
Knowing how to stop the world is transformative because it serves as the antidote to all of our seeking and chasing. A calm and tranquil mind is the medicine which cures our obsession with dukkha dukkha. Through the practice of meditation, the thinking mind begins to settle and still, like ocean waves slowing to a crisp, flat calm.
Suddenly, the waves of thought and judgement, memories and plans, past, present and future, have all faded away and the mind is silent and peaceful. The world has stopped, and our psychological turmoil has been momentarily snuffed out like a candle flame. Even our desire for happiness had fallen away. What remains is a mind which is effortlessly clear, spacious and aware, like a vast blue cloudless sky. Such a mind, freed from all concepts, is infinite and boundless.
This is Samadhi. It’s an experience of deep psychological rest and effortless contentment. It’s a state of profound inner silence. Zero thought. Zero resistance. We have shifted from a scattered and distracted mind to a mind which is unified, silent and whole. It’s here, absorbed in this all-pervading peace, that a new understanding of happiness can arise.
Real happiness is not a fixed, ever-lasting state of joy - that’s just a fairy tale. Real happiness is marked by the absence of worry, stress, fear, planning, dread, regret, greed, anger, lust, desire, judgment and pity. When the mind falls quiet, all of these distractions cease to be, like dreams, like illusions, like tricks of the light, and what remains is the happiness we’ve been searching for all along.
When we chase the world, happiness is always just out of reach, but when we discover how to stop the world, here it is. Hidden in plain sight. This is what the Hindu traditions refer to as sat-chit-ananda, or being consciousness bliss. It is the deep and unsullied joy of existence which shines all by itself, for its own sake.
Podcast: The Joy of Ordinary Enlightenment in Everyday Life
I recently appeared as a guest on Paula Pluck’s wonderful new podcast, Transform Today, where we explored the themes of illusion and mindfulness, non-duality and devotion, and our human messiness as the path of awakening. I hope you find our conversation useful. You can listen below.
New Video: Peace
What is Peace and where do we find it? Are we approaching a New Age of serenity or is chaos and conflict the fabric of reality? In this short talk, I explore our notion of peace and suggest that, despite appearances, we're already standing in the Garden of Eden.
If you would like to suggest a theme for me to explore, or have a question, then please let me know. You can email me at hello@mikekewley.com.
Next Mindfulness Group: Monday 19th May
Stop, sit and be.
Join me at Vibe cafe in Douglas on Monday 19th May for my next Mindfulness group, aimed at anyone interested in enhancing their mental fitness and wellbeing through the practice of Mindfulness, and those interested in meditation, embodiment and awakening.
Each session begins with a short talk followed by a 45-minute guided meditation, a tea break, and then time for discussion, questions and answers.
Next Date: Monday 19th May 2025
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Location: Vibe Plant-based Cafe, 9 Ridgeway Street, Douglas, Isle of Man
Price: £10 per person / £5 concessions
How to book: Please me at email hello@mikekewley.com to reserve your place.
Woodland Meditation Session in Ballaglass Glen: Sunday 25th May.
To the Mind that is Still,
The entire Universe Surrenders
– Lao Tzu.
Join me on Sunday 25th May in the enchanting Ballaglass Glen for the first in my series of outdoor meditation sessions, held over the summer, combining the experience of deep inner stillness and insight with the beauty of nature.
Date: Sunday 25th May 2025
Time: 10.30am – 12.00pm
Location: Ballaglass Glen (meet in the car park at 10.20am)
Tickets: £12.00
The Buddha’s Heart: 4-week Online Course Exploring the Healing Power of Loving Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Acceptance.
Starts Wednesday 28th May, (20.00 - 21.30 GMT)
I have always found the Loving Kindness practice helpful, but with this course and the depth of explanation and knowledge that Mike has given, it feels I can take it to another level.
– Alan.
Did you know that we can take the people we meet everyday as the path of transformation? We can use loved ones, strangers and troublemakers as the focus for our meditation, generating positive attitudes towards them and soaking our minds and bodies in wholesome states of love, joy, compassion and acceptance. This not only changes our psychology, but radically enlightens our relationship to the world.
Join me for my brand new 4-Week course exploring the Brahma-Viharas, the traditional Buddhist attitudes of loving kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity towards all beings.
This online course is ideal for anyone interested in developing their mental and emotional well-being and enhancing positive emotions. It would also benefit meditators drawn to the power of compassion training, as well as those whose meditation practice has become stuck, sterile and dry.
This course includes 4 weekly classes, supported with handouts and recordings of each session to listen back to at leisure.
Dates:
Wednesday 28th May
Wednesday 4th June
Wednesday 11th June
Wednesday 18th June
Time: 8pm – 9.30pm (GMT)
Location: Online via Zoom (Joining details will be emailed to you upon registration).
Price: £95.00
I’ve just started using Buy Me A Coffee, which is an easy way to support your favourite writers, artists and meditation teachers. You can give as little or as much as you want.
If you find my writing, guided meditations or podcasts helpful, then please consider giving a small token of appreciation. Your generosity enables me to continue teaching and all contributions are gratefully received.
I always like hearing this. The essence of meditation is so simple, but also simple to overlook.