by Lesley Lyle | October, 2023 | MASEM
Have you ever tried to see a star in the sky and discovered that you can only see it when you shift your gaze away from it? This phenomenon is known as ‘averted vision’. I think it serves as a useful metaphor for what happens when we try to see clearly those things that consistently escape our direct focus. I’m referring to those intangible pursuits in life, like the search for happiness, the quest for meaning and purpose and the answer to the question ‘Why am I here?’ Much like the faint star that evades direct sight, certain aspects of our lives become elusive the more intently we focus on them. The harder we try to pin these down, the more they seem to slip away from our grasp. In our determination, or perhaps desperation to find clarity, we can inadvertently blind ourselves to the very thing we’re looking for. Think of all the times you experienced moments of pure happiness in your life. Were you actively seeking it or did happiness settle upon you? Life’s profound truths and moments of joy may shine in the periphery of our lives, providing illumination in their own unique and subtle way. I’m reminded of a story from ‘Winnie the Pooh’. On one occasion when Pooh went to visit Piglet, he found he wasn’t at home, “to his surprise he saw that the door was open, and the more he looked inside, the more Piglet wasn’t there”. Have you ever felt that what you are seeking becomes increasingly elusive the more you pursue it? Maybe the paradox is that when we intensify...
by Lesley Lyle | October, 2023 | Awe
Have you ever been captured by the magic of a song? A song that transports you to another world, evokes intense emotions, and leaves a lasting impression on your soul? Twenty years ago, I was driving on the M3 motorway when such a song came on the radio. I was immediately spellbound by the combination of the singer’s voice, the lyrics, and the unusual syncopation. I had to pull over on the hard shoulder to give it my full attention. The song aroused such intense emotions in me that I could not explain then or now. I was desperate to hear it again, but I never heard the name of the song or the singer. I had a few clues: I knew that water featured in the song and that it might be South American in origin. It took me another eight years to hear that song again. Strangely, I had to travel to Bhutan to discover its name and singer. The connection? Spending time with a wonderful group of Brazilian people. When I asked if they knew of any songs about water, they immediately responded, “Oh, do you mean Águas de Março (The Waters of March)?” Yes, yes, yes! I recognised it immediately. The Spanish lyrics were in fact Portuguese, and the origin of the song and singer were Brazilian. This song is so precious to me. I really don’t know why, but something about it resonates with something I find truly profound. In 2019, I had an operation to treat bowel cancer and spent several weeks in the hospital. During that time, I held in mind the...
by Lesley Lyle | October, 2023 | Ecology
In 1970, Joni Mitchell recorded the song “Big Yellow Taxi,” which contained the immortal words, “don’t it always seem to go, that we don’t know what we’ve got ’til it’s gone.” I think the lyrics referred to the breakdown of a relationship but recent events made me think of them. On September 27th, 2023, it was announced that the famous Sycamore Gap Tree had been felled in what appeared to be an act of vandalism. The tree had been an iconic feature in the landscape for more than 200 years. While it is undeniably sad and shocking, it’s also quite intriguing how the event has resonated with people all over the world. Many individuals in both the UK and abroad probably weren’t aware of the tree’s existence until it no longer existed. Within a few days, there was a need to appeal to the public to stop visiting the site, now referred to as “the former Sycamore Gap.” It might seem like a strange phenomenon, but a similar occurrence took place in 1911 when Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of the Mona Lisa was stolen. If you’re wondering how one of the world’s most well-known paintings could have been so unprotected, one of the reasons was that it wasn’t particularly famous until the theft occurred and was reported in the world press. As a result, throngs of people flocked to the Louvre simply to observe the empty spot on the wall. Is there a lesson to be learned here? Is it that we sometimes or maybe often, fail to truly appreciate what we have until it’s no longer there. Please...
by Lesley Lyle | June, 2023 | Mental Health, Nature, Spirituality
Here are 10 reasons why you might choose to enrol in MA in Spirituality, Ecology & Mental Health at Buckinghamshire New University. 1. Academic Excellence The program is offered by Buckinghamshire New University, renowned for its Centre for Positive Psychology and international reputation. With expert lecturers, visiting experts, and practitioners, the course provides academic excellence in the field of spirituality, ecology, and mental health. 2. Take a Transformative Journey The program presents a unique opportunity for you to embark on a transformative journey that will profoundly reshape your perspective on life, the world, and most importantly, yourself. By exploring spirituality and adopting practical approaches to living a healthy and fulfilling life, you will not only experience personal growth but also gain a sense of empowerment that will enable you to thrive in all aspects of your life. 3. Make a Meaningful Difference The program strongly encourages active participation in community projects or initiatives, empowering you to make a meaningful difference. By applying the knowledge and skills gained, you have the opportunity to actively contribute to positive change in your community or even on a global scale. Whether it’s initiating your own projects or joining existing ones, you can leverage your newfound understanding and abilities to create a positive impact in the world around you. 4. Find New Career Opportunities The program opens up diverse career opportunities for individuals from various professional backgrounds. It provides avenues for career advancement and prospects in fields such as complementary and alternative medicine, healthcare, education, counselling, coaching, leadership, social work, journalism, and more. The interdisciplinary nature of the program makes...
by Lesley Lyle | May, 2023 | Lesley Lyle
I’m really excited to share some information about a fabulous new Masters’s degree course that starts this September at Buckinghamshire New University. Headed by my friend and colleague Lee Newitt, this will be the first ever MA in Spirituality, Ecology & Mental Health. This unique course aims to redefine your connection with Yourself, your Life, the World, and the Sacred. It will guide you through a personal journey to uncover your own spirituality while fostering a research-based, spiritually attuned approach to achieving wellness and a balanced life. The course will be of interest to anyone interested in personal and professional development or to quote a good friend of mine, ‘anyone with a pulse!’. It’s an opportunity to make positive change and foster transformations at both an individual level and far wider horizons. The course welcomes individuals from various backgrounds, not just academic. The unique experiences and viewpoints that each participant brings will contribute to the richness of the discussions, and exploration of the topics of spirituality, ecology, and mental health. Whether you are interested or involved in healthcare, education, counselling, ecological sustainability, economics, business, civil rights, social justice, community work, training, coaching, journalism, policing, human resources, arts, or legal work; whether you’re a parent, engaged in politics, retired, unemployed, considering a career shift, or just embarking on your own life journey – this trailblazing course holds relevance for you. The course begins this September and is accessible from anywhere in the world. Find full details and enrolment information HERE and please share this post. ...
