LONDON CREATIVE: Will Williams
Following the success of his first edition of The Gathering with Helmsley + Helmsley and Lucy Rose we met up with Will Williams to talk about how meditation changed his life and where he loves to hang out in London.
1. TELL US HOW WILL WILLIAMS MEDITATION CAME ABOUT?
Having discovered meditation when I needed it most, I took off around the world for 2.5 years to meet all the big masters and learn as much as I could. I came to the realisation that tuning in deeply to who you are and what you are about is the key to living a happy, healthy and fulfilling existence. Every single person I knew could be happier than they were and I realised that Vedic meditation was a supremely effective way of facilitating much greater happiness and it is so accessible that I see this as the most effective way to help catalyse meaningful change in the world.
2. WHAT GOT YOU INTO VEDIC MEDIATION AND HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN MEDITATING?
I had terrible insomnia for 7 years and felt like I’d exhausted all available possibilities, and I was feeling more and more stressed and drained. A friend of a friend recommended Vedic meditation as it had sorted his stress out and many of his friends sleep problems so I gave it a go. Within two weeks the insomnia was gone and I felt so much calmer and clearer. I started kicking arse at work and life started falling into place. That was eight and a half years ago now and I’ve never looked back.
3. HOW MANY RETREATS DO YOU HOLD A YEAR AND WHAT CHANGES DO YOU SEE IN PEOPLE AFTER THEY COMPLETE IT?
We run about 50 courses a year here in London, either at weekends or midweek evenings, and these help people become really proficient and self-sufficient meditators in a short space of time. And we teach them how to do it on public transport and in other cheeky places so that it fits seamlessly into life. In addition to that we run country retreats in beautiful manor houses for people who wish to take their practice to the next level.
4. WE WENT TO THE FIRST GATHERING, WHERE WE DID AN AMAZING GROUP MEDITATION, LISTENED TO A Q&A WITH THE HEMSLEY SISTERS AND LISTENED TO LIVE MUSIC, WE HAD A BLAST! DO TELL US WHEN THE NEXT GATHERING WILL BE AND WHAT WE WILL EXPECT ON THE NIGHT?
Each Gathering event will be slightly different to the last but we’ll always be holding a huge group meditation for the audience. It is important to us that this is at the heart of every evening we host – group meditations can be so much more powerful than individual practice. Its important to remember that no prior meditation experience is needed, Will is going to guide the meditation so you can slip into a few moments of bliss before the entertainment.
In November, we are delighted to be hosting a live show from Ethan Johns – as well as being a phenomenal talent in his own right, he’s produced the likes of Paul McCartney, Laura Marling, Kings Of Leon and Ryan Adams. As if that wasn’t enough, he first came to view as a session musician playing for Crosby Stills and Nash and Emmylou Harris! Ruby Wax will be giving a talk at the end of the evening – she’s written two best selling books on mindfulness in recent years and she’ll be giving us her take on meditation. (www.willwilliamsmedit
5. BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO FINDS IT HARD TO MEDITATE OR CANNOT FIND THE TIME TO SWITCH OFF?
If you find it hard to meditate, that’s probably because you’re doing one of the more challenging practises out there. Mindfulness for example is great but it’s hard work. Not all of them are as difficult and what we’re teaching is certainly more enjoyable. If you’re trying to concentrate the mind or push away all thoughts and are not succeeding, come and see us and we can teach you a technique that everyone can do very easily. Even if you have a super busy mind or don’t have much time, we can help you.
6. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES IN LONDON?
Primrose Hill has always been a favourite. I love chilling out up there at sunset. I love wandering along the south bank, hanging out with friends around Hackney, swimming in the ponds at Hampstead Heath or walking down the Cut in Southwark. There is also an amazing willow tree in St James Park which I love to sit under and take time out.
The second edition of The Gathering will take place on 15th November at Cecil Sharp House with guest speaker Ruby Wax and music from Ethan Johns: https://www.willwilliamsmedita
Website: www.willwilliamsmeditation.co.uk
Interview by Claudia Sowaha
