Newsletter December 2025

Dear One,

We have talked about who you think you are; and it’s this character you have taken on and then come to believe it is you.

We know that the ego mind can never be in the present and is therefore not true.  It’s just a dream, an idea you have adopted.  Your character, who you think you are, which you have made up. 

The untrained mind cannot do this work.  The real you is beyond that mind to the quiet space that is always awake.  The body is an extension of the ego mind, and it can distract us.  It takes a trained mind to go beyond it, and there lies the eternal ever present, the Absolute.  The real you.

You don’t have to do anything, let the mind rest in this unlimited space beyond thought.  This space is always there.

But we need to go beyond the mind to the space.  Be aware go to the space beyond the mind to the quiet eternal space, which is there calling you back, rest in that.

The body

The body is an extension of the mind, part of the ego world, and as such is not true.  In your space just because you are aware of the present, it does not stop the thoughts coming in.  There is still the one who feels: left out, hopeless, angry, jealous etc, the one you made up.

The untrained mind cannot do this work, but we need to go beyond that mind.  Just let yourself be in the present behind the thoughts.

In this space is the real you.

The real true you

To the space beyond thoughts to the space that is always awake the body is an extension of the mind as such is never in the present, it can distract us.  It takes a trained mind to go beyond it; there lies the external present absolute.

Exercise 1

Be aware of your surroundings.  Then when your mind is present, let it go to this quiet space and rest there.  

If a challenging thought comes in, don’t get caught down by it.  It is a great opportunity to go further, give this challenging thought space and look right into it:  Expand it and allow more space.  Feel the emotion again and look right into it.

Under this observation the challenging thought may not be there anymore.

The thoughts are just your imagination.

The way to enlightenment, no investments = freedom.

The purpose of your life is to see where we bump up against challenges.  Don’t close the door on it, face it, look right into it and bring the emotions back.

Let the thought in and see what’s behind it, except don’t resist.

You might feel that you could try to get a little more peace.  You get it by letting go.  We live in the present only, the rest is all imagined.  Let go of self-criticism.  Let go of why you think you can’t trust.  Let go of judgments.  You are perfect exactly as you are.

Exercise 2 - Allowing space

Look at the palm of your hand.

Give it all of your attention.

Was that easy?

Now take your attention to the space behind your head.

If you are describing how to be aware of the space in a room.  You might think about taking the furniture out but instead give your attention to the space that’s already there.  The ether in the room.  You might get a sense of the ether when you return from holiday and your room looks spacious.  It looks as if some of the furniture has been removed.  The roads look wider – more space.

This is the element ether.  So, when you experience a negative thought, give it space.  Keep expanding your awareness, not contracting onto problems.  Feel the stillness and the presence, it’s always there and this will be echoed in your mind.

The body is part of the ego mind – an extension of the mind, so part of the ego and as such is not true. 

Just because you are aware of the present it does not stop the thoughts coming in.  Who is the one who feels:  left out, hopeless, angry, jealous, the one you made up in your imagination, but when you are in the present behind the thoughts in this space, it is the real you.

The feeling comes as of who you are, and I think you were born with this feeling.  Your body is an extension of the mind.  The body not a block to love.

The real true you is beyond the mind.  To the space that is always awake.  The body is an extension of and is such never in the present.  It can distract us.  It takes a trained mind to go beyond it and there lies the eternal ever present absolute, the real you.

You don’t have to do anything.  Let the mind rest in the space beyond thought. 

This eternal space is always there.

In the love of yoga

Ruth

Lesbos Retreat 2026

After the success of last year’s week on the Greek isle of Lesbos, we have booked the Sunrise Hotel from the 31^{st of} May 2026 - 7^th June 2026.  Come and join us! 

Although we offer a full programme from dawn until dusk. Please take time to swim, sunbathe, walk, or visit the hot pools. You can find a beach to yourselves in this undeveloped island. The hotel provides transport into the village of Molyvos for shopping or eating out in one of thefish restaurants.  There are some favourites along the waters edge.  Non participating partners or friends are welcome to join us.  Give us a room number if you have a favourite bedroom in the hotel.