The Focus On series is where we celebrate the beauty and diversity of meditation journeys .. gathering to share stories, practices and insights, to listen and learn from each other. Welcome!

Last Christmas I received a very beautiful and unexpected gift from a friend .. neatly wrapped inside a gorgeous branded bag was a little bottle of wonderfulness called ‘Three Oms’. It smelt divine and the next morning I sprayed a light mist across my meditation cushion before taking my seat .. and all of my senses came alive! I simply had to chase down (stalk) the creative owner of Nunchi Oils, and was surprised to find that she lived nearby (Melbourne) and that we share a few friendships. I asked Di if she might share her meditation practice, and the Nunchi Oil journey, with us .. and while at that moment she was holidaying in the farthest reaches of rugged Tasmania coastline .. she penned her answers for me.

If we take a moment to stop, spray some nunchi, and breathe deeply we are reminding ourselves to come back to the present moment. Each of our nunchi blends have been thoughtfully selected through research into aroma psychology to encourage calm, balance, grounding, and emotional support. When you create a ritual of spraying these nunchi essential oil blends in your home, you are inviting a sense of calm, peace and happiness.

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Creating a nunchi moment

Di advises that all you need to do is spray Nunchi overhead several times, allow the mist to fall over you, close your eyes, and breathe in the beautiful aroma. Focus on your breath, your inhalation, and exhalation for 6 rounds. During this time, do not judge how you feeling, just bring a sense of curiosity, acceptance, and patience. This will take just one minute of your time. When you open your eyes you can acknowledge that you have given yourself the gift of this moment and that the essential oils in your nunchi spray will be helping you to stay calm and centred.

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1. Di, could you share a little about your meditation ‘journey’

I began meditating 20 years ago due to a health crisis. I then undertook a two-year study in Holistic Counselling followed by a two-year study in advanced yoga teaching. I became a teacher myself at the yoga academy, teaching the meditation component of the course.

2. How did you find meditation, the when/where/how? 

Meditation became my savior during a mental health breakdown 20 years ago. My anxiety and depression were debilitating and I found relief in moments of meditation. This became a daily practice for me and slowly as I my health began to improve my meditation practice had become like a friendly companion. Daily mindfulness practice was also important in my recovery and I still use it every day to keep me feeling grounded and balanced.

3. Do you have a particular technique(s) that resonates with you?

I enjoy many different forms of meditation. I do like to practice guided meditation as I like to follow someone’s voice. Yoga Nidra is probably a bit of a favourite as it connects you to your whole body.

4. Do you have a regular practice and what does that look like: daily, weekly, other?

Mindfulness is my most regular practice now. Taking small moments throughout my day to stop and take a moment and bring awareness to my breath. I also love to go on long walks and I use this time to practice mindful walking, especially if I feel like I am becoming overwhelmed with thoughts. I take my attention to my surrounds, the trees, the ocean, the birds, and the sounds. This takes me out of my head and centers me.

5. What is it that inspires you to keep meditation .. returning to your practice? because this is a key challenge for almost everyone!

I become inspired by other people, reading about meditation and my nunchi sprays. I don’t want this to seem like a big sales pitch but when I see my bottles of nunchi sprays I am instantly reminded to stop, spray and take a moment.

6. Could you share what personal benefits you have observed from your practice?
I believe my mindfulness practice has helped me to stay mentally stable for the last 20 years. I have gained a greater understanding of myself, my triggers to stress and how to be in the moment.

This was a great help to me during Covid.

7. Do you have a dedicated space for your practice or elements that support you?  

My nunchi sprays and being in nature. Sometimes on my morning walk, I find a quiet space and just sit. I love to take in the smells, sounds, and all that nature has to offer.

8. Have you attended a meditation retreat or undertaken any additional learning opportunities? If so, could you share some of your experience and insights? 

Yes … many. One that was particularly life changing was a retreat in Bali run by a beautiful Indian woman Saraswathi Vasudevan. We immersed ourselves in meditation, yoga and yoga philosophy for a week. It was process of looking within and gaining a greater understanding of yourself and tolerance of others. The yoga philosophy was presented in a way that was relevant and personal. I refer back to these teaching regularly. 

9. Any favorite inspirational books or resources that others might enjoy?

I pretty much always have a personal development book at my bedside. I take small bites from each one so it is difficult to think of a favorite. At the moment I am reading Phosphorescence by Julia Baird. An insight into the awe, wonder and things that sustain you when the world goes dark. One particular chapter discusses the teachings of Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann, an elder from the Nauyu community on the Daly River. She believes the greatest gift her people can give to fellow Australians is a respect for silence and calm concentration. I love this.

“Our Aboriginal culture has taught us to be still and to wait. We do not try to hurry things up. We let them follow their natural course – like the seasons.”

Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann

10. Any wise words to share with those who are new to meditation or have ‘fallen off the wagon’?

Just spend time outside in nature, listen and take in all its beauty.

7 Wonderfully random things about you?

*mother of 3 daughters and grandmother to 2 grand daughters

*I have a cheeky sense of humour

*I love camping and travelling around Australia

*The beach is my happy place

*I always have a dog by my side, at the moment it is a big, boundy puppy called Chilli.

*I met my husband when I was sixteen years old and have been head over heals in love with him ever since. I probably should have put this before my dog comment. Ha!

*My husband & I lived in Spain for a year, I went to Spanish language classes and was a complete failure! I loved it though.

Thank you so much Di for taking the time while on holiday to answer my questions .. and for sharing your meditation journey here with the Quiet Mind Meditation community. I still spray my meditation space and I am going to take the Three Oms spray to all of my classes as well. xSarah

SHOP NUNCHI

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www.nunchioils.com.au

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