ARE you stressed out and want to take time out to reflect on the pressures and strains of modern life? Have you ever felt the need to get away from it all and delve deeper into your spiritual side?

If so, help may be at hand from a Heswall-based meditation and Qigong guru, writes Craig Manning.

Paul Bennett has been involved in teaching the healing arts for 30 years and says he got into the craft when he was at a low point in his life: "I felt that there was something missing in my life, and I didn't find any answers in my immediate environment.

"Somebody told me about meditation as a way of opening yourself up to your full potential and having a greater knowledge of yourself. I haven't looked back, it's been great," Paul told the Globe.

Aged 50, Paul uses basic relaxation exercises to improve a person's physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. And he can use a simple demonstration to show the force being exerted: balancing a key on top of his index finger, he focuses on the key and it starts to move on its own. Paul says that when he focuses on the key, he releases heat energy from his hand which enables the key to move: "It's done very quickly and leaves people feeling uplifted," Paul says. "I've done it in two chip shops with the same reaction."

Paul also demonstrates this Chi or life force during his Qigong classes. He will ask somebody to stand up and, standing behind them, directs positive energy from his hands which makes the person start to sway. The person is left feeling calm and at ease with themself, Paul says. He adds that he can also send healing energy out to people: "There's nothing special about me, it's just that I've practised a long time and I'm very interested in the subject. Everyone has the potential in themselves to do this."

Paul says that people such as Uri Geller have developed their energy to such an extent that they are able to move bigger things and can inspire people at a distance.

Paul is keen to pass on the knowledge he has to others and is even considering writing a book on the subjects. His advice to anybody who wants to teach meditation is simple: "You need to know your subject very well, because a lot of people teach things without having a full understanding of what they're doing."

To find out more, ring Paul on 342-7611 or visit his website at www.meditation-centre.com

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