For this edition of Faces & Places, we spoke with international Mindfulness Advocate and Conscious Visionary, Neil Seligman. Over the past eight years, he has been dedicated to sharing the power of mindfulness globally, transforming lives, and inspiring excellence in all aspects of human endeavour. He is on a mission to bring mindfulness to the mainstream, one person at a time.
I’m Neil Seligman, I run The Conscious Professional, which is a corporate mindfulness consultancy based in London. We specialise in Professional Resilience and Conscious Leadership programmes for busy professionals. Beyond the corporate sphere, I also teach in London meditation studios and appear at conferences, events, and retreats around the world.
www.theconsciousprofessional.com
I was drawn to yoga, meditation and Reiki when I was a teenager yet became a civil law Barrister by 22. After 8 years in the law, I had an epiphany in 2008, which set me off in a new direction and ultimately led to me founding The Conscious Professional in 2012.
I feel fortunate that I have found a path which allows me to be myself, make a valuable contribution, and chart my own course.
SO many to choose from but here’s 3:
I first received Reiki in my late teens and had a very profound experience which opened a new awareness in me. I went on to learn Usui and Karuna Reiki and qualify as a practitioner of both.
I think I was 22 when I participated in an ayahuasca ceremony and received a download of spiritual information from which I am still drawing. That I will never forget!
I return to the Esalen Institute in California annually (when it is open!) and have had many beautiful healing experiences there. The land is powerful, and I feel like Esalen will always play a part in my personal and spiritual development. I hope to teach there one day!
Over time mindfulness practice has the potential of reducing fear in the human being. When fear is reduced, constrictions in the body and being can be let go. The tightness softens, and we gradually find a way of bringing calm attention to the challenges of the day rather than fearful attention.
We learn the skill of tending to the body and being, with calm, compassionate awareness, and this is healing.
An excellent way of approaching this is to take note of the three actions of mindfulness and then apply them through the day – particular when we feel challenged:
1. Observe: become consciously aware of what is occurring without judging it as good or bad.
2. Describe: neutrally name all aspects of the experience that you are aware of. E.g. I am experiencing anger. I feel hot. My palms are sweating.
3. Participate: make a choice, take action, speak your feelings, take the next step as consciously as you can.
My morning practice is very nourishing and provides a source of stability, grounding and creativity that I find grounding. My dog, Ty, takes me and my boyfriend Jack for walks and we enjoy hanging out in the parks and forests. Nature is always grounding, and family time is the best!
Right now, I am delivering Winter Wellbeing programmes to my corporate clients and working on some brand new online plans for the New Year!
I am also about to launch my Facebook group: The Conscious Professional Mindful Community to help support those seeking inspiration on the path of mindfulness and conscious leadership! Feel free to join for free weekly meditations and inspiring content!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/theconsciousprofessionalcommunity
