Dear Norm,
I read your article which was published by The Guardian and I have to say: well done!
When we met in Nimes you talked about meditation and I wonder if you know some good books to guide me trough the first steps of meditation?
Have a great time in France and I hope to see you in Liverpool!
Hi Thomas
Thanks for your contribution to the site and I’m glad you liked the article.
As regards books on meditation, there are probably a huge amount and at the moment a plethora of books on ‘Mindfulness’.
One book recommended to me which I think is good at setting out the philosophy of living in ‘the now’ is Eckhart Tolle: ‘The Power of Now’.
It is something of a dryish read but is nevertheless invaluable in setting out the parameters of what mindfulness/meditation aims to do. A lighter read which I loved is Tim Parks: ‘Teach Us to Sit Still’. I cannot speak highly enough of this book because it starts firmly from the position of the natural sceptic which is what most of us are.
Finally – If you’re interested in meditation, find a group and go along and do it. The group I attend is in the Buddhist Samatha tradition. A quick Google of Buddhist meditation in Belgium will throw up lots of others.
Good luck with your chemical engineering – a fine profession – 🙂 and if you’re ever in Liverpool give me a shout.
Best wishes
Norm
How are you?
Would it be possible to forward me the picture you took in Nîmes? It would be a nice souvenir.
And I do not know if you are on facebook but I have a group (“Travel Culture and Literature”) where different aspects of travelling can be shared, feel free to join if you want.
Hi Thomas
I’m ridiculously behind with the Blog. I have started writing the last French post and this would have been followed by ‘people I met in France’. One of those was definitely your photo which is good. I will try and do this today – possibly! I’m off to Santorini tomorrow.
No problem! And take your time, I don’t want to command.
It was my juvenile curiosity which had difficulties to hold in.
Santorini seems a nice destination, especially with the rainy and cold weather in our part of Europe.
Enjoy your stay!
Of course the photo can be added to the group. I already shared your blog when I came back to Belgium but everyone is welcome to contribute on this page so if you like to share things, go ahead 🙂
I place the link underneath, I hope you don’t mind? https://www.facebook.com/groups/1677409129141330/
PS: I want to tell you that I joined a meditation group in my city, it is a nice and relaxing experience.
Hereby thank you for the advice you gave earlier !
Today I came across your website thesocialnormuk.wordpress.com, really appreciate your efforts you put into your content. Your writing style is extremely appealing and the content is actionable & promising to titles.
I’m also a blogger. Since we both share similar interest, may I ask, do you accept an expert contribution to thesocialnormuk.wordpress.com? I want to write an article for Your site. Your visitors will certainly like it. Please let me know if are interested.
thesocialnormuk 
Well hello there
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Erm. … is anybody out there. ….
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Hello Andrea.
Well done for getting through! Welcome. 🙂
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Dear Norm,
I read your article which was published by The Guardian and I have to say: well done!
When we met in Nimes you talked about meditation and I wonder if you know some good books to guide me trough the first steps of meditation?
Have a great time in France and I hope to see you in Liverpool!
LikeLike
Hi Thomas
Thanks for your contribution to the site and I’m glad you liked the article.
As regards books on meditation, there are probably a huge amount and at the moment a plethora of books on ‘Mindfulness’.
One book recommended to me which I think is good at setting out the philosophy of living in ‘the now’ is Eckhart Tolle: ‘The Power of Now’.
It is something of a dryish read but is nevertheless invaluable in setting out the parameters of what mindfulness/meditation aims to do. A lighter read which I loved is Tim Parks: ‘Teach Us to Sit Still’. I cannot speak highly enough of this book because it starts firmly from the position of the natural sceptic which is what most of us are.
Finally – If you’re interested in meditation, find a group and go along and do it. The group I attend is in the Buddhist Samatha tradition. A quick Google of Buddhist meditation in Belgium will throw up lots of others.
Good luck with your chemical engineering – a fine profession – 🙂 and if you’re ever in Liverpool give me a shout.
Best wishes
Norm
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Hey Norm,
How are you?
Would it be possible to forward me the picture you took in Nîmes? It would be a nice souvenir.
And I do not know if you are on facebook but I have a group (“Travel Culture and Literature”) where different aspects of travelling can be shared, feel free to join if you want.
Kind regards,
Thomas
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Hi Thomas
I’m ridiculously behind with the Blog. I have started writing the last French post and this would have been followed by ‘people I met in France’. One of those was definitely your photo which is good. I will try and do this today – possibly! I’m off to Santorini tomorrow.
Can I add the photo to your facebook group?
Norman
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Hey Norm,
No problem! And take your time, I don’t want to command.
It was my juvenile curiosity which had difficulties to hold in.
Santorini seems a nice destination, especially with the rainy and cold weather in our part of Europe.
Enjoy your stay!
Of course the photo can be added to the group. I already shared your blog when I came back to Belgium but everyone is welcome to contribute on this page so if you like to share things, go ahead 🙂
I place the link underneath, I hope you don’t mind?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1677409129141330/
Kind regards,
Thomas
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PS: I want to tell you that I joined a meditation group in my city, it is a nice and relaxing experience.
Hereby thank you for the advice you gave earlier !
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Well done.. Good stuff. 🙂
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Hi,
Today I came across your website thesocialnormuk.wordpress.com, really appreciate your efforts you put into your content. Your writing style is extremely appealing and the content is actionable & promising to titles.
I’m also a blogger. Since we both share similar interest, may I ask, do you accept an expert contribution to thesocialnormuk.wordpress.com? I want to write an article for Your site. Your visitors will certainly like it. Please let me know if are interested.
Looking forward to your thoughts.
Thank You
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