WellBeing Being

You know this state of presence by its feeling: aligned, connected and in flow. Sometimes our physical environment enables us to cultivate this sense of balance, ease and calm, which is why we intuitively turn to nature and other grounding environments to relax and reconnect with ourselves and the world. But, other times, if you adjust your internal landscape — your perspective on a situation — you can rediscover your presence, find more ease in moments of unease and surrender to the freedom of balance. Transitioning from a place of doing and into a state of being is at the core of this magazine, Being.

lifestyle • n 1 a mode of life chosen by a person or group

Editor’s letter

Being

Nature immersion • A restful retreat on Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road offers the ultimate immersion in nature.

An ode to happiness • Rejoicing in another’s success is not just an ode to happiness, but also an essential quality of a mindful, balanced life.

Leave me the birds and the bees • We share some simple steps to growing bee-friendly gardens across our streets, suburbs and cities.

Mindful seed raising • Raising seed is the ultimate mindfulness activity and brings much abundance and joy into our lives.

Down to earth • Exploring ways to ground ourselves can help us ditch chaos for calm.

Get grounded: Tried-and-tested ways to find your centre

simplicity • n 1 state or quality of being simple 2 freedom from complexity, intricacy, or division into parts

The ordinary made sublime • Rather than needing us to be extraordinary, perhaps the greatest gift of being alive is the opportunity to make the ordinary things sublime.

The wisdom of listening circles • Finding a place where you’re listened to — without any attempt to fix or change — is a radical act of self-preservation.

Coming home to the body • The practice of embodiment — allowing ourselves to come home and reside in our bodies — is a form of self-love.

Your body is a vehicle • How cultivating a neutral relationship with your body offers a more easeful way to relate to your body image.

Falling in love with negative space • Discover why empty spaces aren’t really empty at all, and why negative space isn’t an inherently bad thing.

The joy of your own company • Within the experience of solitude are gems of wisdom, self-knowledge and more waiting to be discovered.

Wathawurung waters

community • n 1 a particular locality, considered together with its inhabitants 2 a group of organisms, both plant and animal, living together in an ecologically related fashion in a definite region 3 similar character; agreement; identity

Asking for a helping hand • We know we should ask for help when we need it, but doing so is another thing.

Restoring your relationship with money • We shed light on the positive force of money in order to rewrite some of the stories we tell ourselves about it.

The slow-tea movement • We explore the slow, mindful art of growing and making your own herbal tea.

Morning date • Eating breakfast is not just an act of care for the physical body, it is also a way to cultivate mindful self-compassion.

Planet-friendly food • Anna Jones reveals a greener way to cook for you, your family and the planet.

100 years of natural skincare • Since 1921, natural skincare company Weleda has been connecting people with nature. David Johnston, managing director of Weleda Australia, explains how.

Health in our hands • We discover how to take ownership of the health of our breasts with Sue Mckenna, founder of Happy Breast Balm and the Ultimate Breast Care Routine.

The science of scent • We chat with Melissa Allen, founder of Melissa Allen Mood...