Easing back in

August makes way for September; and I find myself – like millions of others – making my way back into the familiar routines. It has been a good, long break for me this year: 8 weeks away from teaching commitments, 5 weeks away from therapist and supervisor roles. Next week, it all gets going again …

Relishing the challenge

Back from France, and more than content with the week: the creative and self-care intentions accomplished. When I arrived in Normandy, I pondered what a “good week” would look like for book number 2. I set the intention to know my rationale for this book, including who it was for and why it would be useful …

My writing year

And so, here again another Friday morning I sit at my desk with a writing day ahead. My beautiful Mac, a wonderful Downs view, a mug of tea, and a cat happily warmed by my desk lamp. Ah yes, I kinda wait all week for this – a luxurious opportunity to immerse myself in solitude …

Kid in a sweet shop

On Tuesday evening I celebrated the launch of my book with friends, colleagues and sangha – a real weave of my worlds across Buddhist-therapist-educator, and Helen as the thread that ran through. It was a joyous occasion. And that emotion itself was testimony to these past 10 years, much of the story told in the …

Stories to tell

As I complete one book’s birthing, thoughts have turned to what comes next on the writing front: I have many ideas. I sense there will always be many stories to tell along my life path as Buddhist-therapist-educator. Two ideas that I hope to come to fruition* are vying for my attention and affections. I am …

The wounded writer

If you’ve been following this blog over the past few years you will have witnessed how much more central writing has become in my life path and my work as therapist and educator. It’s come to a kind of a “peak” with the publication of my first book this summer. And I’ve shared previously how …

Therapy in five chapters

Last week, the morning I was pressing “send” to launch an email with my final book submission in tow, I paused…I had forgotten something. As I walked back home after a celebratory breakfast I settled in my mind on one last amendment that was needed: to the acknowledgments. Writing the acknowledgements section was one of …

Into the fertile void

Its in! Just moments ago I pressed “send” on an email to the editor at Routledge…and my finished book manuscript is off. This morning, I took myself for a celebratory breakfast at my favourite cafe. A moment to pause. I felt pretty content but pondered whether it was because I have been working on finalising …