We are all on an inner journey... but to where?
Seeking to discover deeper understanding of what lies behind all that happens, and with this, more peace and the sense of flowing creatively with life.
About
In the 'Words' section there are many spoken recordings, guided meditations and written items, covering a range of topics related to the Inner Journey.
Please consider joining me in conversation with others through our Study Group, or on a One-to-One basis.
There is no expectation of payment. Contributions, which are gratefully received, are donated to the charity Tree Sisters, as is all profit from the sale of my artwork.
There is also an Inner Journey Facebook Group - a space where you can explore the spiritual and mystical aspects of life with like-minded others.
BACKGROUND - A BRIEF SUMMARY
'Spiritual seeking' began for me in my early 20's and looking back it is easy to see the synchronistic events that first pointed me toward ancient eastern wisdom teachers, karmic astrology, tantric philosophy and then on into some more well-known spiritual teachings of recent times.
Many years later, during a very traumatic period in my life, a shift in my consciousness took place. It was like being woken from a trance. Immediately, who I had believed myself to be lost all solidity. Thoughts and emotions began to lose their all-consuming pull. Over a quite short period, my day-to-day life went from struggle and stress, to contentment, peace and a sense of being connected with the flow of life. I later learned that this experience was commonly called an 'awakening'. And as the years have passed since that moment, I have come to realise that it was just the beginning...
The 'Inner Journey' group began ten or so years ago and this website a few years later.
John
Study Group
Our Study Group meetings are held on the first Sunday of each month from 4:30pm UK time, currently online via Zoom.
We begin by taking a few minutes to come into the present moment, after which any teaching, topic or question about our Inner Journey that you wish to raise can be discussed. To conclude, we have a guided meditation that finishes in silence.
In these regular monthly meetings, some come primarily for discussion and others for meditation. The discussion continues until 6 then the concluding meditation finishes at 6:30. Please do not feel obligated to stay through to the finish time.
The group was originally established to look at the teachings of Eckhart Tolle, and we continue to do this, plus we also now include other respected teachings and topics. The overall aim is to create an open, welcoming, non-judgemental forum where you can explore your Inner Journey in the company of others.
Each month an email reminder is sent out a few days ahead of the session. Please use the Contact Form to get on the list.
All time related to Study Group and One-to-One sessions is given as a service without expectation of payment. However, if you wish to give back in some way, you may like to help me support a great cause: Contribute
One-to-One
It's your choice. The time is yours. My role will be to listen and respond intuitively, hoping to assist you in the process of arriving at clearer perspectives and practical ways of moving forward, in both your external life and on your Inner Journey.
The length of session is variable, but is usually around 60 minutes and can be in-person or online via Zoom.
Please use the form on this page to ask any questions and arrange your session.
All time related to Study Group and One-to-One sessions is given as a service without expectation of payment. However, if you wish to give back in some way, you may like to help me support a great cause: Contribute
Spiritual Awakening
Expanding Consciousness
What is Spiritual Awakening? This is No4 in a series of posts on this topic.
more...Deepening
What is Spiritual Awakening? This is No6 and the last in a series of posts on this topic.
more...Beauty and the Beast
How is the story of Beauty and the Beast related to 'Spiritual Awakening'?
more...Thoughts / Feelings
Unwanted Thoughts and Feelings
17-minute spoken contemplation that offers a practical way of managing and resolving unwanted thoughts and feelings. Practised consistently, benefits will soon become self-evident.
more...Unwanted Thoughts and Feelings (practice reminder)
3-minute practice reminder for the non-connection method of managing and resolving unwanted thoughts and feelings. It is recommended that the full spoken 17-minute contemplation on this page is listened to first.
more...Refuge from the storm
9-minute spoken contemplation on taking refuge deep within when we're experiencing difficult thoughts, emotions and feelings.
more...Depression - and the way out
How do we deal with depression when there are tough things going on in life, and how can we permanently escape from it?
more...Good Morning
5-minute guided meditation for when you first wake up in the morning, to connect to creativity, clarity, non-reaction - all the things we need for a productive day.
more...Through The Clouds
To shine light on the causes of troubling thoughts and feelings, we need to rise out of the clouds - into the sun.
more...Stop Lighting Matches
We may not always be able to stop ourselves from lighting matches, but try to watch the flame and drop the match before getting burned.
more...Freedom From Suffering
Once we have had a first taste of this, we want it again. We want to experience it more often, and more deeply.
more...Peaceful Mind
The mind can never be at peace - its nature is constant motion - but you are not the mind.
more...Choices / Decisions
Seeking Meaning
4-minute spoken contemplation about answering questions like: Why are things the way they are? Why do we feel drawn to find deeper meaning?
more...I Know It In My Heart
Can you let your heart guide you? Does your heart know deeper answers than the mind?
more...Choices and Decisions
5-minute spoken contemplation to help when we are faced with choices and decisions and are uncertain which way to go.
more...Wave or Ocean
The wave is a temporary expression of the ocean, dancing on the surface, below which, powerful currents move.
more...Relationships
Acceptance In Relationships
5-minute spoken contemplation about when we create expectations in our minds of how other people should be, we can harm relationships - and how to break this habit.
more...Astrology And Compatibility
Could astrology help in relationships? Wouldn't it at least be worth taking an open-minded look?
more...Meant To Be Together?
The awakening event in one partner creates a fundamental incompatibility between them which was not there before.
more...Meeting Mr (or Ms) Right
Every person is ‘right’, even if the initial rightness becomes wrong.
more...Reality / Belief / Truth
Manifesting What We Want
Physical needs will always be our highest priority, but beyond these, what do we ultimately most deeply want?
more...Happiness That Lasts
5-minute spoken contemplation on the three types of happiness - why the least known of these is the only one that lasts - and how to find it.
more...God Or Nothing?
5-minute spoken contemplation exploring what might have existed before the beginning of time, and all that we know.
more...Belief And Suffering
7-minute spoken contemplation looking at how beliefs arise and how to become free from the suffering they can cause.
more...Unacceptable!
You will never be able to accept anything that you perceive as unacceptable - so don't try!
more...Anxiety, Awakening, Awareness
A personal story of how intense anxiety led to a deep inner-looking - a moment of awakening into pure awareness.
more...Law Of Attraction
Have you seen the Law of Attraction at work in your own life? Was it intentional manifesting on your part?
more...Words Are Just Pointers
Words are needed, or are they? Words lead to more questions, more thinking - all for the mind.
more...What do we really know?
Only evidence, real evidence, should be considered a sound basis on which to accept something as true.
more...No Journey?
Some say there's no (spiritual) Journey because there is Nowhere To Go. What does this mean, and is it a helpful concept?
more...Mind / Ego
Being In The Now
3-minute spoken contemplation on the difficulty of 'Being or living in The Now'.
more...An Excitable Child
Like a child opening presents, our mind jumps on every thought, then the next, and the next...
more...What Is Ego?
Looking inside, is there an experience of a self-focused aspect of yourself? ...That's ego.
more...Who Am I
Predestiny or Free Will?
4-minute spoken contemplation on the paradox of predestiny and our sense of free will.
more...The Ocean
16-minute guided meditation into that silence and peace beneath the surface, deep in our inner being.
more...Grief And Loss
6-minute spoken contemplation to uncover what dies, revealing how pain can transmute into peace - and the warmth of remembrance.
more...What Is Presence?
In the presence of what? Presence is not a thing; it is the space in which things arise.
more...Can You Find Yourself?
Looking inward, our self, or at least what we had believed our self to be, is impossible to pin down.
more...Many Ways To Meditate
The goals and ways of meditation may differ, but once the benefits are felt, you know how truly valuable it is.
more...Look In A Mirror
Your personal story of who you are is it only the foreground to all that you are.
more...You are an aspect of all-there-is
The body/mind is believed to be separate from the world, from the ego's viewpoint.
more...Perceived understanding, prior to actual Knowing
Awakening progresses through innumerable subtle stages, and at a certain point comes to this...
more...Study Group - Recordings
1 May 2022
In 'spiritual' discussions it is common to get into very theoretical ideas and beliefs, which, although interesting to look at, often have little practical value in our lives. This month however, we will discuss a truly important understanding that directly impacts all our lives...can you guess what this might be?
more...3 April 2022
The questions for this meeting were: With the Ukraine war, I’ve been thinking about life and death, and about basic honesty, how can Putin, other leaders and the Russian media just lie? How does this relate to Awakening in people? How can soldiers become killers? The meditation starts at 1:03:35 in the video.
more...6 March 2022
The questions for this meeting were: How much time is recommended per day to get meditation to come naturally? After meditation, are there tips to help me stay in that deep peaceful state for longer? How to make more progress from my long-established meditation practice? The meditation starts at 1:18:05 in the video.
more...Gallery
Contact
Event
Ascension Cottage 3 JULY
On July 3rd, in addition to the normal online Study Group meeting, I will be hosting a session of meditative contemplation here at my home.
more...Contribute
If you wish to express your appreciation by making a contribution - thank you - it will go towards my goal of assisting the Tree Sisters charity with their remarkable work helping restore the global forest. I do this through my Inner Journey Fundraiser.
All profit from the sale of my paintings is also donated to Tree Sisters - please visit my online gallery
When people want to make a contribution they sometimes ask what amount is appropriate - but this is difficult for me. The only way I can answer is to say that whatever you decide must feel right to you and be comfortably affordable.
Thank you.
Bank details for my personal account.
D J Foster
Lloyds Account: 01637960
Sort Code: 30 99 09
International payment information.
Bank branch address: Lloyds Bank, 83 High St. Walton-on-Thames KT121DU
IBAN: GB62LOYD30990901637960
BIC: LOYDGB21187
Useful Links
Great Websites
Inner Journey is listed on:
What people have said
"It was lovely to meet people who were like-minded and interested in the same approaches, which therefore made discussions engaging. I also learnt new ideas and consequently found myself thinking in different ways and feeling almost 'refreshed' as a result. I liked how my topic of interest was actively sought after, and I really supported the fact that, yes although huge, unanswerable topics are fun to discuss, it can be more beneficial to find ways to utilise elements we can understand/hold onto more (e.g. the nature of unhelpful thoughts, and living in the present), so appreciated your efforts in leading the group towards that. It was a nice location and sized-group. I also felt there were some special people there and a good 'presence' to the occasion; different to the everyday."
“What I had hoped for”
"Very nice"
- Copy
“Well presented and conducted by John. Informative and thought provoking. The subject matter inspired some inspirational, lively discussions involving all participants. Will be back for more”
“...Both the presentations and the group discussion time were very good. I feel I can apply these perspectives in my every life. The venue is a lovely and relaxing space. I will definitely be back.”
“Thoroughly recommended”
“Fascinating subject and inspirational group ”
“Presence, stillness, oneness, karma or hudoor are topics that are talked about by many. However, the reality is you can only get there by seeking being in the presence of a guide who has lived it themselves; John is certainly someone who can take you there. ”
"Thank you for yesterday - was lovely to be there and I felt I learned/absorbed a lot."
“Interesting, stimulating, thought-provoking ... ”
"This was a very enjoyable meet-up - the ideas were well presented and the discussion was very open and thought provoking. Thank you again to John for your hospitality in accommodating my early arrival - it was great to meet you. I hope to join you again soon x"
“This was my first visit and I really enjoyed it.”
“An excellent resource provided by John”
Address & Directions
Ascension Cottage
Horn Lane
East Hendred
OX12 8LD
View and download: Address and directions to The Studio.jpg