Over dit evenement
YOU ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS
An evening of meditation, presence & listening to your heart
🌿 When life becomes busy, it can be difficult to hear yourself beneath everything you are thinking.
The unfinished conversations. The plans. The questions about the future. The familiar voice telling you what you should have done, where you should be, or who you should become.
Sometimes, we become so absorbed in this inner conversation that we forget to notice the life happening around us—and within us, right now.
You Are Not Your Thoughts is an invitation to pause, step back from the noise of the mind, and reconnect with the present moment. Through tea, guided meditation, a personal story and gentle reflection, we will explore what it feels like to observe our thoughts with a little more space and a little less urgency.
As we look towards the year ahead, we will also make room for a quieter question:
What does my heart want me to make space for?
☕ ARRIVING — A MOMENT TO SETTLE
We begin with a warm cup of tea and a gentle welcome into our small circle.
There is time to arrive, get comfortable and let your attention catch up with your body. To notice the warmth of the cup in your hands, the ground beneath your feet and the people sharing this moment with you.
This simple beginning invites us to practise something we often rush past: being here.
You are welcome to come exactly as you are, whether you feel curious, tired, hopeful, uncertain or simply in need of an evening to yourself.
🌬️ MEDITATION — RETURNING TO THE NOW
Through a guided meditation, you will be invited to bring your attention to your breath, your body and the present moment.
We will explore how to notice a thought as it appears, recognise when we have followed it into a memory or a future possibility, and gently return to what is here.
A busy mind is welcome in this practice. Each time you notice your attention wandering, there is another opportunity to return—with patience and curiosity.
This is the heart of the evening: experiencing the possibility of having thoughts while choosing where to place your attention.
You can follow the meditation in a way that feels comfortable for you, with your eyes open or closed, and take a pause whenever you need.
✨ A PERSONAL STORY — BRINGING THE THEME INTO LIFE
Andreea will share a personal story from her own journey, reflecting on the influence of inner dialogue, the stories we carry about ourselves, and the moments that invite us to question them.
The story will offer a human starting point for exploring how thoughts can shape the way we see our circumstances and the possibilities available to us.
Together, we will consider how a familiar belief can begin to feel like part of our identity—and what becomes possible when we meet it with curiosity.
You may recognise something of your own experience. You may hear a question you want to sit with. There is room for both.
💛 REFLECTION — LISTENING TO YOUR HEART
With a little more space around our thoughts, we will turn towards the year ahead.
Here, listening to your heart means giving attention to what matters to you: your values, your relationships, your longings and the parts of life that deserve more care.
You will be guided through gentle questions such as:
• What has occupied most of my attention lately?
• Which thoughts do I keep returning to, and how do they influence my choices?
• When do I feel most present and connected to myself?
• What would I like to give more time and care to in the coming year?
• What am I ready to approach differently?
• What is one small step I could take towards something that matters to me?
There will be quiet time to reflect, with the option to write down what comes to you. Your answers can be simple, unfinished or still taking shape.
Perhaps you will notice a wish for more rest, creativity, connection or courage. Perhaps you will recognise a decision that needs time, or something meaningful you have been postponing.
The invitation is to listen closely enough to begin.
🤍 A SMALL CIRCLE — SPACE TO SHARE, SPACE TO LISTEN
We will come together for a gentle reflection in the circle.
You may wish to share a few words about your experience, a question that arose, or an intention you want to carry forward. You are equally welcome to remain quiet and listen.
Sharing is always optional. Your presence is enough.
We will make space for each person to speak without interruption or unsolicited advice, and ask everyone to respect the privacy of what is shared.
Sometimes, speaking helps us understand what we feel. Sometimes, hearing another person gives words to something we have struggled to name. Sometimes, a quiet moment together is all we need.
🌱 CLOSING — TAKING PRESENCE INTO EVERYDAY LIFE
We will close by choosing a simple intention or small action to carry into the days ahead.
It might be a moment of pause before responding, a daily opportunity to notice your surroundings, or time set aside for something you care about.
The evening offers practices you can return to whenever you find yourself caught in mental noise: noticing, breathing, feeling your feet on the ground, and asking what deserves your attention now.
WHO THIS EVENING IS FOR
This gathering is open to anyone who would like to slow down, explore their relationship with their thoughts, and approach the year ahead with greater awareness.
You may feel drawn to it if you spend a lot of time in your head, find yourself replaying the past or anticipating the future, or want a quiet space to reflect on what matters to you.
No previous meditation experience is needed. Everything will be gently guided, and you can participate at your own pace.
WHAT TO BRING
Comfortable clothing, a notebook and pen if you enjoy writing, and a willingness to give yourself this time.
✨ GUIDED BY ANDREEA
For this evening, she offers a warm, thoughtful space to pause, reconnect with yourself and listen.
A cup of tea. A moment of presence. Space to hear what matters to you.
Andreea Vandendriessche
Opslaan
