Every weekday, people from across the globe come together with a shared intention: to pause, breathe, and practise mindfulness. These live online meditation sessions are more than a routine, they’re a space of connection, compassion, and presence.

In this blog, Kaori, one of our dedicated teachers, reflects on what it’s like to lead these sessions, how they nourish her own life, and why creating this welcoming space matters – especially during challenging times. Her story is a reminder that mindfulness is not just a practice; it’s a way of living with greater ease and kindness.

“Hello everyone! Good morning, good afternoon, good evening – depending on where you’re joining from!”

This is how I open each session.

People, quite literally, join from across the globe – from Europe and Africa to North and South America, and the Asia–Pacific region.

For some, it’s the start of a new day; for others, it’s the middle of a busy or peaceful day; and for others still, it’s the end of a day filled with whatever has unfolded. I’m sure their reasons and motivations vary, but they all come to the session to practise mindfulness.

And when I reflect on that, I’m always deeply moved.

I love teaching mindfulness and supporting the Oxford Mindfulness live online meditation sessions. I’m genuinely grateful, honoured, and privileged to have the opportunity to lead them for a global community.

When I was first invited to write this blog, I wasn’t sure what to write about or whether I could write anything meaningful at all. Then I realised that I could only write from my genuine experience. Before I began writing, I took time to sit with the experience of leading the sessions.

As I sat, I explored what I have truly been experiencing – by noticing body sensations, thoughts, feelings, and impulses (by the way, this is a mindfulness skill taught in the Mindfulness for Life course.) It was both interesting and pleasant.

What I noticed, when I brought to mind the experiences, was:

• Body Sensations: warmth, a smile on my face, slowing of the breath, a pleasant sensation in the chest as if something is gently flowing out, and tension releasing from my shoulders
• Thoughts:“It’s amazing they come together from all over the world…”, “It’s so lovely to see them…”, “How are they?”, “What kind of day are they starting/having/ending?”, “I hope they’ll have a nourishing time.”
• Feelings: appreciation, gratitude, love, a sense of healing, awe, delight, and a touch of excitement
• Impulses: wanting to talk with them, to listen to them, to hug them, and to thank them – which I do at both the beginning and end of the session

Moving through initial nerves as a teacher

Of course, I also sometimes feel nervous. I clearly remember the first time I led a session. I was very nervous. It was nearly a year ago.

Before that, I’d been supporting the sessions as a volunteer – ever since the 13:00 UK Time session was launched. So many thoughts came up: “Will they be surprised to see me leading the session?”, “Will they be disappointed?” ,“Will I be accepted?”

As a mindfulness teacher and practitioner, I knew these thoughts were completely natural and understandable. And I also knew what to do: simply do it and see what happens.

I couldn’t control the nervousness or the thoughts. I couldn’t run from the discomfort either. So I dived into the unknown ocean. At first, I felt as though I was floundering, but then I saw a few participants waving at me. Gradually, moment by moment, I regained my composure and began to swim as I guided the meditation.

By the end of the session, I noticed a few “Thank you, Kaori” messages in the chat. It was very heartwarming. I felt accepted, and I felt a sense of accomplishment. In the end, there had been nothing to worry about but, as humans, we like to worry. It’s in our nature.

Overall, my experience of leading the daily online sessions has been really pleasant and nourishing. And nourishment is something I very much need to balance my life.

How leading the sessions nourishes me

I live with my elderly parents. My father has dementia, which is slowly progressing, and my mother continues to struggle with accepting how her husband has changed. I’m not going to pretend everything is fine.

I fully acknowledge that I’m in a stressful and sometimes very difficult situation.

Many of the things I do in daily life are depleting. So, to balance my days, I intentionally add “nourishing flavours” when I’m doing things that are depleting. For example, I listen to music that lifts my mood, use essential oils, or bring mindful attention to tasks so that my mind doesn’t wander into a pity party.

Of course, I also make time to do things I enjoy – watching movies, reading, and especially enjoying my weekly alone-time for a few hours when both of my parents are at their day care centres. Leading the live meditation sessions is extremely nourishing for me. I truly enjoy it, and it gives me a sense of meaning and purpose.

Sometimes, I feel like I’m living my life for my parents rather than for myself, but leading the sessions reminds me that I am also living my own life. It reassures me that I am doing something I love.

To be honest, there are times I feel tired but the moment I see the faces and names of the people joining the session, my energy is replenished. I’m uplifted. I receive energy simply from seeing them there. I want them to know that their presence gives me energy and that I deeply appreciate them.

Living with more ease and compassion

If I weren’t practising mindfulness, I would probably spend much more time complaining, feeling sorry for myself, and unintentionally creating extra suffering without even realising what I was doing.

Mindfulness has gradually changed me.

Thanks to mindfulness, I live with far more ease than before, even in difficult circumstances. I’ve learned from experience that mindfulness supports well-being and helps us live with more ease and compassion. I became a mindfulness teacher because I’d like more people to know there is another way of living: living with more ease and compassion.

How I plan the sessions

When planning each session, I think about what has helped me that day and share what inspired the day’s practice as it might also be helpful to participants. Sometimes I also share my own mindfulness practice experiences as it can be helpful to know someone else’s experience and how someone else is using mindfulness skills.

I always hope participants will experience some benefit from attending the sessions. I believe they will sooner or later. But I also know very well that I cannot make anything happen. My intention is simply to hold a safe and compassionate space where they can practise mindfulness.

It delights me to hear the “thank yous” and comments like “This was what I needed,” “I’m glad I came today,” or “That was a lovely practice.” I deeply respect the participants for showing up to practise mindfulness.

Some come late or leave early, and I respect their willingness to come even for 10 or 15 minutes. I’m almost certain that everyone who participates will eventually experience what mindfulness brings to their lives.

I’m grateful that Oxford Mindfulness offers this space where people can practise together across the world and where teachers can contribute to this global community. I also appreciate those who donate to sustain this space.

I truly cherish this sense of global connection.

Arigato! (Thank you!)

The Live Online Meditations are held weekdays (Monday to Friday) including holidays. I’ll be leading the 13:00 UK Time sessions on the 24th and 25th of December 2025.

Please remember that this space is here for you – to spend some time with yourself in stillness – throughout the holiday season if you need it.