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The Tradie Poet, A Story Of A Masculine Struggle To Be Vulnerable & Authentic

The Tradie Poet, A Story Of A Masculine Struggle To Be Vulnerable & Authentic

So I was having a chat the other day with a tradie (in his late 50’s), a blokes bloke type of character, no nonsense good Aussie, you could tell just a good guy.

We were just chewing the fat when the conversation took a turn into the deeper realms.

It was triggered when we were chatting about being out of the water due to injury (we both surf) and was saying that I’ve been sidelined from the surf a few times so no big deal anymore, especially as I have other outlets such as meditation and my artistic passions.

To which, he said, yeah you know what?

What?

I actually write poetry, never told anyone that, except my wife.

My reply…

That’s so awesome, thanks for sharing man, that is truly epic and same, I’ve been writing poetry since I was about 16.

He then proceeded to share one of his sacred prose. I was so honored and stoked that he shared this with me. Here’s a guy who’s been creating these great inspiring words into art for years but never shared them with someone, it truly was such an honour.

Driving home after our chat, it really had me thinking, why?

Why don’t we feel like we can share such craft with our friends and family.

And I get it, heck, I don’t think I’ve ever shared my prose with anyone other than my wife and maybe the odd lyric in a drunken moment.

So what is it, that has a lot of us hiding parts of ourselves from the world?

A fear of rejection? A fear of ridicule? That voice, duck for cover? Stay in the safe harbour of our own consciousness?

Perhaps.

I also get some may just not feel the need to share, we are just compelled to create and happy with the process, but we did chat how we felt that most just wouldn’t get it.

But maybe that was just our fears, our shadow selves speaking though!

As surely there would be equally those that would get it, or atleast appreciate, support and perhaps inspired by the sharing of our art.

I also think our generation and that of our parents (I’m a Gen Xr) had a lot of the “be a man’s man”, and sure i can only speak for myself as that was certainly my experience.

My Dad – a great man – was that. Big, burly, strong a real fighter, grew up tough, country tough. And didn’t really like my gravitation to the arts. I guess he just didn’t see it as a sound career choice, as everything often came back to money, plus he just didn’t really get it.

Also can’t really imagine a group of aussie guys – I know this is a sweeping generalization – throwing back a few cold ones, whilst listening to some free-form poetic rhymes (again maybe just my fears), now whilst in excessive moments I have certainly played songs I have written but never spoke of my poetry.

He was the same.

I am sure this is not just a male related thing, after all, the insecure artist is a pretty universal and sexless motif.

And I hear you, this goes beyond poetry and arts as well. I think a lot of us have dreams that we let lay dormant, play it safe and keep our heads down. Put that comfortable mask on and chip away at life, only one day to go “wish I had done this/that or at least given it a go…”

I actually find it pretty sad – speaking for myself here – where we feel we can’t step up and go, hey here’s who I am, I write poetry, surf, paint, play music and love it! Regardless of skill level, we just own our shit and embrace ourselves and others with an open heart and acceptance.

I wonder how many amazing talents are or have been stuck in hiding, in the confines of our own safety nets, with the world missing out on their creations.

Now beyond that, I also think this impacts our happiness, that sense of being true to yourself, to connect to our authentic selves, our unique talents and abilities that perhaps we are here to let loose into the world. Regardless of their reception ie Van Gogh, never selling a painting, now just imagine he never showed anyone or simply threw away many of his creations.

Imagine for a moment that we all listened to our “positive” inner voice, our intuition, our heart and followed it with purpose and passion. I get this may seem super naive to some, or like a nostalgic ideal. But why can’t we, especially when we are blessed to be living in the western world of infinite possibilities.

I’ve seen a few super inspiring people of all walks of life get to that point in their life and go you know what, screw it, I’m over the act, here’s who I am, here’s what I want to do and I’m going for it. Love it, even if this is just as a sideline hobby, but just the commitment to doing something we love with passion is awesome to witness.

Just seeing people push past fear and embrace vulnerability with courage and heart, is super inspiring.

But for those of us that may have not got there yet, what truly stops us, other than our own insecurities and doubts? Anything?

Many would say there just stories that have us trapped in the consciousness of our own creations.

But what if we could all be taught to embrace vulnerability, take the attitude of I would rather connect with those that support what I want to do, rather than concern about the naysayers – as no doubt there’ll always be those, and these negative attitudes are purely reflections of the consciousness of that individual, so why should we let that impact ours?

These encounters (and are own) give us the ability to shine our light into fear and see it for what it truly is, nothing, just a net of thoughts disguised as false realities, and then move through them…

Anyway, you may be wondering, hey I’m on a meditation website, what’s this got to do with meditation?

Well, I’ve certainly noticed on my own journey that since meditating, over the years my story of playing the insecure artist has diminished greatly, I’m starting to not really care about that, or getting self worth from others opinions, still a work in progress, but the ability to connect into that quiet space within and see what’s going on in my mind has helped to unravel those antiquated thought patterns.

After All, where all here only for a short time and our own impermanence is our teacher to let go of that which does not serve us, to shine as the wonderful beings we actually are. And letting go is exactly what we do each time we meditate and take 20 minutes to drop in and just be.

So thanks to the Tradie Poet, it has inspired me to share more of my authentic self with the world in the form of my art, my love of the written word and who knows maybe at some point some sounds…

Here’s to poetry, prose and a touch of ballsy authenticity to us all.

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Jeff's story, Arriving at meditation after medication, psychologists and councilors

“The course I completed with Rich Muir on the practice of Vedic meditation has been life changing. What led me to this course: After many years of working in stressful service and sales positions and having marriage breakdowns I finally cracked. At 62 years of of age I couldn’t do life anymore. I awoke one night and felt like I was having a heart attack. It was frightening at first with my heart racing and my limbs feeling numb and my lungs gasping for breath. Eventually I settled down but when I went to the doctors the next day and told him what had happened he told me that i had had
an anxiety attack and could of had a stroke. My concern was that I really didn’t care if I had died.

My doctor suggested taking a couple of weeks off work but after another month nothing had changed. I eventually had to resign from my job. I couldn’t think, I couldn’t face customers or meet budgets. I just wanted to hide. I wanted my cave.

When I reflect Over the past few years I had been to psychologist, counselors, prescribed antidepressants and other medications. Nothing had worked. Nothing made me feel any better. I couldn’t sleep, I was getting fat, overeating all the wrong types of food, not exercising and drinking too much to escape. To escape what I couldn’t fix. I had been able to fix anything as an electrical engineer in the mines but I couldn’t fix me. I had lost my way. I needed to do something.

I felt like my body and mind were in different places..

I started reading all different types of self help book, I read a book from the library called “ the effortless mind” by Will Williams on Vedic meditation. Something inside me knew this form of meditation was for me. I searched on line and found that Rich Muir was conducting a course in Brisbane in January. I had to see it was for me so I booked in.

When I told friends and family I got mixed reviews. My mates at pool said I would be wearing orange robes and chanting at next weeks comp while my family were supportive and just wanted their husband, son, father and grandfather back. I had lost my way.

The course I attend on Vedic Meditation run by Rich was enlightening. I was given my mantra and joined the small group to learn the practice. I didn’t find it hard to relax with Rich and after each session it seemed to get easier to relax.

Since the course Rich has followed up and I am finding that the practice is about letting go of all thoughts. Sounds strange but I am finding that by Letting your own mind play out each thought as It comes into your mind It lets both sides of your mind create, examine, play out and release all these thoughts.

After the 2 x 20 mins I do each day I open my eyes and as well as feeling relaxed the world around me seems clearer. I feel No stress, no anxiety, no negatives thoughts. It sometimes makes me smile.
I can honestly say I am slowly but surely finding the path of my life’s journey.
I am centering my mind and finding direction and peace. Allowing what happens to just happen I am so much more relaxed about the future and putting the past where it belongs.

I want to thank Rich and would recommend and encourage everyone to find their own journey through this practice.”
Jeff West

Queries on cost

When it comes to the investment for the course, some people are a little surprised whilst others are not. And I have to say I totally get it. When I learnt the technique I paid my teacher $1,000 and when I told my wife I was going to pay that to learn to meditate, she more than rolled her eyes…

But I just knew the technique was for me. Having failed and explored many other forms of meditation for 8 years but I knew I needed to meditate. And with the Vedic technique from the outset, there was something that really resonated about the history, the technique, the science and the mantras that called to me.

Yet I still had to get my head around the cost, with 3 children and living costs it seemed like a lot at first. However, when I consider it compared to learning Vipassana (10 day noble silence meditation retreats) I had to give up 2 weeks of work and a donation. So in hindsight, giving up 2 weeks of work plus the donation, the cost far exceeded the investment in the Vedic technique.

Here’s a few comparisons to highlight the value of Vedic Meditation:

  • Four sessions with a psychologist @ $250 a n hour = $1,000
  • If you do a Gym/Yoga/Pilates class the average class is about $15-20 so if you went once a week that’s $884-1000 for 1 year.
  • Car registration approximately $750
  • House insurance over $1,000
  • Coffee a day for year over $1,500

You get the idea. Where as this is a technique you will use for a lifetime, and you get free access to group meditations around the world with other Vedic Meditation teachers (and with us), ongoing support and you can re-sit the course again if you want a refresher.

Beyond all that, the benefits of this investment in yourself far outweigh the cost as you will be living a happier, less stressed, more present, creative and peaceful life, and that is why many students who have learnt this technique believe it to be the best investment they have made and call it priceless.

Accommodation Details

You have the following accommodation options when attending the Reconnect Retreat 2022 at the Amara Retreat centre.

  • Main house twin share room bunk $1,100. Sold Out
  • Main house twin share $1,500. 1 spots remaining
  • Main house private room $2,000 Sold Out.
  • 2X Cabin twin share $2,000 per person – private rooms with double bed each (or share cabin with a friend $3,500*). The Cabins are self contained. 1 spot left
Payment

To secure your spot on the Rounding retreat you can either pay in full upfront or pay a $500 deposit with the remaining amount due 2 months prior to the retreat.

Payment plans

If you would like to pay it over a period of months please let us know. This option is only available when booking at least 3 months out from the retreat.

Inclusions

Here is what is included in the 4 day retreat:

  • The powerful practice of Vedic Rounding
  • The incredible power of breathwork and cold exposure
  • 1 X body treatment
  • Daily group rounding sessions
  • Daily immersions in nature
  • 1 X special group session
  • All food
  • Accommodation
Terms

*The deposit is non-refundable unless the retreat cannot proceed due to Covid restrictions. Which in the event of the retreat not proceeding a transfer to a future retreat will be offered or a refund of the deposit also offered.

* Full payment is required 2 months out from the retreat and upon full payment if you have to pull out, no refund can be offered unless we can find someone to take your place. The refund will be minus the deposit paid.

* It is the individuals responsibility to make all travel arrangements to the retreat.

* It is the individuals responsibility to ensure that at the retreat if there are any health concerns or issues the hosts need to be made aware of are communicated.

Optional Extras

During the retreat we can organise the following options for you.

  • Private massage
  • Wellness consult
  • Private sessions with the facilitators/mentors*

All at an additional cost. Please contact for more information.

*These may not be available due to the individuals schedules.

Accommodation

Ruby Baby Bus

Shanti Cabin

Gaia Bell Tent

Aura Bell Tent

Amara Retreat Guest House

Kailani Bell Tent