On that first day, the first time I meditated with John I found it amazing...I had been meditating on and off for years in an ad hoc manner but this was something else! I remember thinking, "it is coming to an end, he is going to say 'that's all" now", and he did! the feeling afterwards wasI  like I had come home, I was in the right place, where I belong. I can't say I understood why this was so in that all I was looking for was a group to meditate with! Anyway we arranged to meet to meditate together on the two following days and then John explained how I could meditate at home as well as join the local Sahaj Marg (The Natural Path) meditation group. I immediately began meditating at home both morning and evening. John had given me a few brochures to read...I couldn't get enough information..I read and reread all I was given!  I was fascinated! 

How I started my meditation journey

I had been meditating for some years on my own in an ad hoc way, not expecting much and accordingly not getting a great deal out of it apart from feeling a little calmer and more at peace when I did do it. However I had a yen to meditate with a group for some reason which I could not define. At this time I went to a party and as I came into the house the host introduced me to John who he said had just returned from India "where he goes to meditate". I took note of this and asked John what sort of meditation he is doing, mentioning I was already doing some practice. He told me he had also meditated in that way and was now doing something different, called The Natural Path, or Sahaj Marg, to give it its Sanskrit name. I asked him to convince me about why that was better.."ah not better" he said "however I have found it to be effective"..."Ok sell it to me" I said! he replied that like eating a mango, he could tell me all he could about how it tastes but I would never know unless I actually tried it! we discussed for a while and then he left to talk with others, returning to give me a card with his phone number  and invited me to join the group if I wished...well I didn't wish initially! however for 10 days the thought played on my mind... I could always leave if I found it not to my liking so why not give it a go?
So I did. I phoned John, organised a time and went over to his home. We sat and drank tea as I asked many enquiring questions ...all very normal, I was thinking! He then asked if I would like to try the meditation, I agreed and thus began the most exciting journey of my life...20 years ago now!