I was not looking for Meditation. If anything I was very resistant to the 'mumbo-jumbo'. My understanding of meditation was either the cross-legged start of yoga sessions (when my mind raced and my back screamed in pain), or the 10 minutes lying down at the end (when I was flat out and snoring).

And anyways, I was fine, thanks - totally fine. I was doing well on the ticksheet of life: meaningful job (check), promotion, (check), home ownership, (check) boyfriend, (check). I couldn't imagine my life being any other way.

And then… the job went into free fall, my backache worsened, my boyfriend dumped me, and I lost my keys.

The next day I met a stalwart drinking buddy at the time, an insomniac stressed by his soul-sapping job. But he stood before me in ruddy health, glowing and well slept. When had this happened? How? 'Just phone this guy' he said. So of course I did.

When I look back at the weekend I learnt to meditate, I remember buying peaches, cycling across the city and returning a sauté pan to my ex. I left my job within weeks, and moved house within the year.

These days I live a life my old self would call miraculous. Dreams I never dared to express have come true. I became a (solo) mum in my 40s, and I live in a place I love. No more ticksheet - now I measure my happiness by how often my son and I dance around the kitchen.

I still work as a school teacher, it suits me well and the kids are fun. However meditation is my favourite thing to teach. I love to be part of people changing their lives for the better. I am always so impressed by the people who come to learn to meditate before their whole lives fall apart, who aren't as resistant as I was. There is more understanding (and misunderstanding) about meditation these days. I continue to educate myself so I can best support and expand my student’s meditation experience.