things to try

In this ongoing series of short talks, Andy suggests some things to try. When playing with these ideas, it is good to keep an open mind: an attitude of not knowing what might happen, as if you are new in the world and want to explore it. Then bring your full awareness to the exercise; become sensitive to any sensations, emotions or unusual thoughts that arise in you.


Most of the things to try are simple and suitable for everyone. Later episodes include, occasionally, more advanced exercises. Even if you are a total beginner, you can also try such advanced exercises but they involve a subtlety which might elude you to begin with. There are also a few suggestions regarding lifestyle, which require a more prolonged discipline to explore – these are shown in red.


Don’t expect all of the methods to do something for you. Each of us is a unique bundle of energies, so some things will be useful for one and not for another. If one of the suggestions seems to bring something unusual, deep or magical, into your consciousness, play with it some more. Feel free to change the rules of the game and always remember, there is no “correct result.” Above all, be playful and enjoy these things to try!


You can try these things at random.

You can watch Andy on a couple of YouTube videos, suggesting we Try taking a walk in the woods 

or Try floating in the ocean.

You might also like to try the guided meditations and some of the practices suggested in the series on mindfulness.

Photo by Mia.

2020:

try looking up at a tree

2018:

try lifting water

try making space for stillness

2017:

try being compassionate
with yourself

try lying on a hot rock

try comparing sensations

try visualising
the inside of your head

try bringing your awareness
to your centre point

try going for a long walk

try catharsis in the ocean

2016:

try sensing your heartbeat

try feeling the breeze
on your face

try taking the plunge

try bringing the awareness
to the third eye

try sitting by
a mountain stream

try bringing awareness
to tension in the body

2015:

try micro meditation

2014:

try wearing natural fibres

try not wearing underwear

try walking barefoot

try being a pilgrim

2013:

try swimming in the rain

try watching clouds

try sunbathing

try sunbathing on your sides

2012:

try floating face down

2011:

try watching a wild animal

try tossing a coin
to make decisions

try being alone

try riding a bicycle no hands

try sitting with a problem

try going into the mountains

try simplifying your life

try talking less

try eating less

try being vegetarian

try making more eye contact

try playing in the waves

try watching waves breaking

try spending time
by the ocean

try spending time
in the forests

try going into a desert

try lying down in a meadow

try leaning against
a standing stone

try rewarding your mind

try breathing from the belly

try listening to bamboo

try watching a sunset

try watching a sunrise

try looking at the stars

try making love
with eye contact

try gazing into an open fire

2010:

try looking at a dead leaf

try watching a leaf fall

try standing on a tree stump

try kicking through
some fallen leaves

try touching a tree

try floating in the ocean

try watching a river flow

try floating down a river

try jumping from a cliff

try talking to a tree

try baptising yourself

try being naked

try listening to
a babbling brook

try listening to a bird singing

A flower.