O-tribe

O-tribe O-tribe is a meditation and mindfulness service that bridges psychology and Buddhist concepts.

Part 3: Lavender: The Soothing OneRecap: In Part 1, we grounded with sandalwood. In Part 2, we expanded with frankincens...
11/07/2025

Part 3: Lavender: The Soothing One
Recap: In Part 1, we grounded with sandalwood. In Part 2, we expanded with frankincense. Today, we close the series with something gentler ... lavender.

Lavender may not be the first incense that comes to mind for meditation. It’s often linked with sleep, baths, or self-care rituals, but don’t overlook its quiet power.

Lavender soothes the nervous system, which is why it’s commonly used as a sleep remedy. It’s also a balm for emotional overwhelm, for when the mind is spiralling or the heart feels heavy. Lavender doesn’t rush to fix, it simply softens the edges.

I often turn to it on the days I don’t feel like sitting. When the resistance is high. Lighting a lavender stick feels like being gently held. It doesn’t create pressure, rather, an invitation to rest.

** A note to close this 3-part series **
Over these past three weeks, we’ve explored three beautiful incense traditions:
- Sandalwood to ground
- Frankincense to expand
- Lavender to soothe

Each brings a different energy. Each can support you in different ways. The key is not to overthink it, simply ask: What do I need today?

Allow incense to be more than fragrance. Let it be a companion to the breath, a quiet ritual that marks the transition into presence.

Light the stick, watch the smoke and allow it to carry you gently into the now.

Part 2: Frankincense: The Expansive OneRecap: Last week, we explored sandalwood; the grounding incense that gently draws...
03/07/2025

Part 2: Frankincense: The Expansive One
Recap: Last week, we explored sandalwood; the grounding incense that gently draws us inward. This week, we open the space a little wider.

Frankincense has a way of lifting the room. More important than lifting the air around you, it lifts the space within. Its resinous scent carries something ancient and reverent, used in spiritual traditions for centuries across continents.

When I sit with frankincense, I feel calm and a sense of spacious awareness. It’s perfect for those times when thoughts feel tangled or when you’re seeking perspective.

It reminds me that meditation isn’t always about turning inward. Sometimes it’s about reaching outward, and connecting with sky, with spirit, with something larger than the self.

Allow frankincense to be your companion when you need clarity. It doesn’t force anything, its power is that it simply makes room: for breath, for stillness, for the sacred.

There’s something quietly sacred about lighting incense before you sit. The curl of smoke and the grounding scent as it ...
30/06/2025

There’s something quietly sacred about lighting incense before you sit. The curl of smoke and the grounding scent as it creates a gentle transition between the busy world and your inner space. For centuries, incense has been used to mark the beginning of rituals, prayer, and meditation. It’s important to note that it’s about intention and presence, as well as about fragrance.

Scent anchors us, and it builds association. When we regularly sit with the same scent, the body remembers, the mind softens, and slowly, a ritual forms.

In this three-part series, we’ll explore the role of incense in deepening your meditation practice, starting with three trusted companions:
1: sandalwood
2: frankincense, and
3: lavender.

Each one brings a different quality, a different medicine for the moment.

Let’s begin

Part 1: Sandalwood: The Grounding One
Sandalwood has been part of meditation traditions for over a thousand years. Its rich, earthy scent is often described as centring... and it is. There’s a subtle gravity to it, like a gentle pull inward.

When I light sandalwood, I feel more anchored and grounded. It’s especially helpful on days when the mind is scattered or the body feels restless.

Sandalwood is warm, steady, and familiar. If you’re new to incense, it’s a beautiful place to begin.

Light it, be still for a while and allow it to guide you back to your breath, back to your seat and back to the quiet beneath the noise.

“Time flows in the same way for all human beings; every human being flows through time in a different way.” - Yasunari K...
26/06/2025

“Time flows in the same way for all human beings; every human being flows through time in a different way.” - Yasunari Kawabata

This quote lands softly, yet powerfully. It reminds us that while the hours and days are the same for everyone, the way we move through them is deeply personal.

For some, time may feel like it races by—filled with endless commitments and responsibilities. For others, it may stretch, offering moments of reflection and stillness. This difference shapes how we perceive our lives and our journeys.

Embracing this perspective can enhance our empathy and understanding toward others. Recognising that everyone has their own rhythm allows us to appreciate diverse experiences and emotions.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on our own relationship with time. Are we rushing through life, or are we savouring each moment? By being mindful of how we flow through time, we can cultivate a deeper connection to ourselves and those around us.

       

A recent study published on nature.com (Scientific Reports) has shown that meditation can offer meaningful benefits for ...
18/06/2025

A recent study published on nature.com (Scientific Reports) has shown that meditation can offer meaningful benefits for older adults, supporting both emotional wellbeing and brain health.

Researchers compared regular meditators with those who don’t meditate and found something striking: people who meditate consistently had more grey matter in brain regions linked to attention and emotional regulation. In other words, their brains were not only healthier, but also more resilient.

The study revealed three key effects of meditation:

- Improved focus
- A greater sense of emotional balance
- The ability to reframe negative thoughts

Participants who meditated regularly also reported feeling more content and less overwhelmed.

This research reminds us that it’s never too late to begin. Just a few minutes of daily meditation can help us feel more grounded, more spacious, and more at ease in ourselves, as we age, and as we live.

Let’s keep exploring this quiet, steady path to clarity and connection.

Read the full study at nature.com: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-79687-3

If you’d like to learn more about how meditation can support your focus, emotional wellbeing, and sense of ease as you move through life, I’d love to connect. I currently have space available for an 8-week transformative meditation and mindfulness program.

       

“We may not be responsible for the world that created our minds, but we can take responsibility for the mind with which ...
12/06/2025

“We may not be responsible for the world that created our minds, but we can take responsibility for the mind with which we create our world.” - Dr Gabor Maté

This quote from Dr Gabor Maté, renowned for his work on addiction, trauma, and the mind-body connection, reminds us that while our past shapes us, it doesn’t have to define us. 

Life can be challenging, and our experiences may feel overwhelming, so much so that it’s easy to feel trapped in patterns that once helped us survive but no longer serve us. And yet, by tending to our mental health, we can shift how we meet those experiences in the present.

Why prioritise our inner world? Because doing so gives us the tools and practices to step out of reactivity, to respond with intention, and to live in a way that feels more whole.

Taking responsibility for our thoughts doesn’t mean blaming ourselves for how we feel, it simply means meeting those feelings with curiosity. It’s through that awareness that resilience grows.

As we do this work within, we become more spacious, compassionate and supportive of others. We create the conditions for clarity, connection, and healing to ripple beyond just ourselves.

Because while we may not have chosen the conditions we came from, we do have a say in the world we create from here.

       

In a world overflowing with an infinite combination of choice and possibility, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. From what ...
06/06/2025

In a world overflowing with an infinite combination of choice and possibility, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. From what to wear, to which series to watch, even small choices can feel surprisingly exhausting.

A well-known study from Columbia and Stanford universities explored this using online shopping. Participants faced with too many clothing options often struggled to decide at all, experiencing decision fatigue and walking away, compared to those offered fewer, more focused choices.

This “paradox of choice” shows us that more isn’t always better; too many options can cloud clarity, trigger anxiety, and make commitment even more difficult, sometimes leading to regret.

Mindfulness offers a gentle antidote. Research shows that practices like meditation can support clearer decision-making by reducing mental clutter and sharpening focus.

By slowing down and paying attention, we begin to understand what genuinely matters to us. Mindfulness strengthens self-awareness, helping us make choices with more clarity, ease, and intention.

Because sometimes, less really is more.

     

“Meditation opens the door between the conscious and subconscious minds. We meditate to enter the operating system of th...
29/05/2025

“Meditation opens the door between the conscious and subconscious minds. We meditate to enter the operating system of the subconscious, where all of those unwanted habits and behaviours reside, and change them to more productive modes to support us in our lives.” - Joe Dispenza

I always enjoy hearing different perspectives on meditation, and Dr Joe Dispenza offers a particularly compelling one, especially through the lens of neuroscience.

He describes meditation as a way of creating links between the conscious and subconscious minds, helping us explore and gently reprogram the deeper patterns that influence how we live, react, and relate. And research supports this view: regular meditation has been shown to reshape areas of the brain linked to emotional regulation, stress response, and self-awareness.

When we enter a meditative state, we create space to observe automatic behaviours and emotional reactions with more clarity. This awareness allows us to shift from habitual patterns into more intentional ways of being. 

Embracing meditation is both about personal growth, and it’s also a powerful tool for taking charge of our inner lives, one breath, one pattern, one moment at a time.

Here’s a gentle practice to explore:
- Find a quiet space and sit comfortably
- Close your eyes and bring your attention to your breath
- As you inhale, silently say: “I’m here, in this moment.”
- As you exhale, say: “I let go of my tension.”

Repeat for five minutes, gently returning to the breath whenever the mind wanders. Without force, without judgement, simply a few moments of awareness, and the beginning of lasting change.

       

As social beings, we’re wired for connection. Yet in a bustling city like Sydney, it’s common to feel alone in a constan...
22/05/2025

As social beings, we’re wired for connection. Yet in a bustling city like Sydney, it’s common to feel alone in a constantly active crowd. This is known as the Big City Paradox; the idea that in densely populated places, people can become more anonymous, less connected, and sometimes feel more isolated.

Sociologist Louis Wirth explored these dynamics in the 1930s, emphasising how urban environments impact social interactions, often making individuals feel more disconnected. His insights remain relevant today. Surrounded by constant stimulation, city dwellers often experience sensory overload, which can heighten stress and lead to social withdrawal and a sense of disconnectedness.

Mindfulness and self-awareness offer a way through these states. By noticing our emotional state - fatigue, stress, overstimulation - we can recognise when it’s time to pause. Taking a conscious break helps us regulate before re-entering the energy of the city.

Practicing mindfulness and presence allows us to reconnect and deepen our awareness. This opens the door to more meaningful interactions with ourselves and with others, creating space for us to find calm amidst the chaos. In the heart of the urban rush, this can be a way to return to one another, reconnect, and to build a community that hums above the hustle and bustle of city life.

         

In today’s rapidly moving and largely urban world, many people are moving faster than ever.How fast? About 10% quicker t...
07/05/2025

In today’s rapidly moving and largely urban world, many people are moving faster than ever.

How fast? About 10% quicker than in the past, according to a study conducted by Richard Wiseman and the British Council in 2006. This research measured walking speeds in 31 cities worldwide and found that urban pedestrians are now walking significantly faster than in the 1990s. While this increase in speed can have health benefits (who doesn’t appreciate getting their step count in early!), it often leads to heightened stress and anxiety as we rush through our daily lives.

Meditation and mindfulness offer powerful tools to counterbalance this relentless pace. Practicing mindfulness can enhance our self-awareness, helping us reflect on why we are walking faster. Is it due to urgency driven by stress or anxiety, or is it simply for our cardiovascular health? By nurturing present-moment awareness, we can gain a clearer understanding of our behaviours and motivations.

By practising meditation on a regular basis, a sense of calm emerges, giving us space to step back from the urgency of our surroundings and reconnect with our inner selves. Incorporating just a few minutes of meditation into our daily routines can boost resilience against stress and promote a more balanced lifestyle.

In a world that keeps accelerating, these practices help us pause, making room for peace, presence, and the life unfolding right here.

There is a music which has no sound,the soul is restless for such silent music.There is a love in which the body is not,...
01/05/2025

There is a music which has no sound,
the soul is restless for such silent music.
There is a love in which the body is not,
the soul longs for such unembodied love.
There is a truth which has no form,
the soul longs for this formless truth.

~

I wish to say to each and every heart:

“Take up your flute.
The time is going fast.
See that the opportunity to sing the song does not slip by.
Before the curtain falls you have to sing your life’s song.”

- Poems of Osho

             

25/04/2025

Autumn has been a blessing this year, as I’ve had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with some wonderful guides.

Something beautiful happens when different modalities come together in service of the same intention. Whether it’s healing, stillness, or coming home to ourselves, coming home to each other, and holding space to deepen our connection to self, to community and to our shared planet. Although each modality may look different, the heart behind it often beats the same love, generosity and intent.

In holding space for others, I’m continually reminded that each person is unique, with their own perspective on life. With over 8 billion people on this planet, no two realities are exactly alike.

That’s why it’s so powerful to offer practices that honour this diversity, because when one of us rises, we all rise. It really does take a village.

To the incredible guides I had the privilege to work with. Chris, Sarah, Lia & Annika, you are such beautiful souls, and I’m so grateful for the chance to collaborate with you, to learn from you, and to witness your magic unfold.

And to our beautiful community, thank you for trusting us, and for opening your hearts and minds to our teachings. Your presence, dedication and resilience are truly inspiring.

Tack. Gracias. Thank you.

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