Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebbSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukSelf-acceptance is key, and today we dive into how Zen teaches us to stop needing to fix our lives. We explore what Zen really means and how we can apply it to our daily routines without it just being some trendy catchphrase. Through this episode, we challenge the idea that our lives are broken and discuss the importance of embracing the present moment as it is. I share personal stories and insights on how Zen can help us find peace amidst chaos. So, let’s sit back, relax, and learn how to just be in our moments without the urge to change everything around us.Self acceptance is a journey we all navigate, and in this episode, Steven Webb dives deep into the concept of Zen and how it relates to our everyday lives. He shares a powerful quote: "Zen doesn't fix your life; it stops you needing to." This sets the stage for a conversation about what Zen truly means. It's not just a trendy phrase or a meme we see online; it's about embracing the present moment and realizing that life is not broken, but rather, we often feel the urge to fix things that don't need fixing. Steven invites listeners to explore how to incorporate Zen into their lives, focusing on being present and accepting ourselves as we are. He emphasizes that life is full of challenges, but rather than trying to change everything, we can learn to sit with our experiences and recognize that suffering is part of being human. By adopting a Zen mindset, we can find peace in the chaos and appreciate the beauty of the moment without the constant need for improvement.Takeaways: Zen doesn't fix your life but helps you stop needing to fix it. Being present in the moment allows you to accept life as it is right now. The desire to always fix things can lead to never-ending dissatisfaction in life. Happiness is not an achievement but an experience that happens in the mundane.
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23:45
How Big Is Your Circle? Let's Talk Love and Acceptance
We’re diving into the idea of our circles of acceptance today. How big is your circle of love and understanding? I’ve been thinking about how our perspectives change as we grow up, from a tiny circle in childhood to something much larger as adults. It’s fascinating to look at how our circles can expand or contract based on our experiences and feelings. I’ll be sharing some insights on this journey and how it affects our relationships with ourselves and others. Plus, I've got a guided meditation coming up that’ll help us explore these circles even more. Let’s get into it!Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebbSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk🎙️ Stillness in the Storms — Episode: “How Big Is Your Circle of Love?”A heartfelt reflection on how wide your love really reaches — and how to gently grow it.🧭 What This Episode CoversHow big your circle of love, care, and acceptance really isWhy it naturally shrinks during stress and expands with growthThe six stages of ego development and how they relate to your caringHow to reflect without judgment on who is inside — or outside — your circleZen and Buddhist perspectives on expanding compassion🌀 Circle Stages — Simple BreakdownPre-Egocentric – Me as impulse (pure survival)Egocentric – Me as person (all about me)Ethnocentric – My tribe (loyalty, shared identity)Worldcentric – All humans (equal value, global empathy)Planetcentric – All beings (animals, ecosystems, future life)Kosmocentric – No separation (universal awareness, nondual)We move in and out of these stages — even in a single day. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s awareness.🧠 Quotes That Land“Growth is always in the direction of greater wholeness and inclusion.” – Ken Wilber“Love is a state of being.” – Eckhart Tolle“If we do not transform our pain, we will most assuredly transmit it.” – Richard Rohr“Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” – Jesus (Luke 23:34)Takeaways: In this episode, we explore the different stages of our circle of acceptance and love. Understanding how to recognize and expand our circle can lead to greater empathy and compassion. The podcast emphasizes the idea that our circles of caring are not fixed and can change over time. We discuss how personal experiences, such as stress or busyness, can contract our circles of acceptance. The conversation highlights the importance of caring for not just loved ones, but also for people across the globe. We delve into deeper concepts of world centric and planet centric thinking for a broader perspective.
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19:49
Feel Deeply, Suffer Less: The Unexpected Power of Emotion
Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebbSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk🧘 Host:Steven Webb – Meditation Teacher & Former Mayor of Truro🌀 About This Episode:What if the key to less suffering wasn’t found in avoiding pain—but in feeling it all? In this powerful episode of Stillness in the Storms, Steven Webb explores why allowing yourself to feel deeply might be the most healing, human thing you can do.We’re often told to “stay positive” and “chin up,” but what if the real strength lies in making room for grief, sadness, loneliness, and joy alike? Steven shares personal reflections, Zen wisdom, and practical insight into how embracing every emotion can make you more whole—and more at peace.Whether you’re feeling stuck in your sadness, disconnected from joy, or overwhelmed by the ups and downs of life, this episode is an invitation to stop running and start listening... to yourself.🎧 What You’ll Learn:Why people who feel deeply often suffer less, not moreThe real meaning of emotional wholenessHow to stop identifying with your emotionsThe ego vs. the “big mind”—and why balance mattersA simple shift in language that changes how you relate to feelings✨ Takeaway:You don’t need to fix every emotion. You just need to feel it, then let it pass. That’s where peace begins.💛 Support the Podcast:If this episode moved you, consider buying Steven a coffee at stevenwebb.uk. No adverts, just real conversations—thanks to listeners like you.
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15:43
How to Stay Calm in the Face of Anger
☕️ Support the Show & Stay ConnectedIf this episode helps you, please consider treating me to a coffee or signing up for the Weekly Calm newsletter — it keeps the podcast ad-free and fully independent.👉 stevenwebb.uk🧘♂️ Episode Summary:Anger. It hits hard. Sometimes it’s in your face. Other times, it’s in your inbox. Either way, your body reacts like you’re in danger — heart racing, chest tight, maybe even shame flooding in.In this episode of Stillness in the Storms, I answer a heartfelt question from listener Toby Ross:“How do you deal with conflict when it feels unbearable?”We dive into why anger — whether it’s coming at you or rising inside you — feels so overwhelming. From a Zen perspective to real-life stories, this episode is about understanding anger, disarming it, and staying present without abandoning yourself.This one is personal, practical, and rooted in compassion — for others, and for yourself.🧩 What You’ll Hear:Why your nervous system reacts to anger like a threatHow our ancient survival wiring still runs the showThe Zen view of anger as a mirror (not an enemy)Stories about conflict, shouting, and inner shameA powerful 30-second grounding practiceWhy “toughness” isn’t strength — and stillness isn’t silence🫶 Keeping It Real – No Ads, No NoiseThanks to your support, this podcast is completely ad-free.If you’d like to help keep it that way and join our private WhatsApp group, head to:👉 stevenwebb.uk📬 Join the Weekly CalmReflections, gentle reminders, and real talk when life gets overwhelming. (Sent when it’s ready, not when it’s perfect.)🙌 Like What You Heard?Please share this episode with someone who needs it.And if you can, leave a rating or review — it helps more than you know.
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17:43
The Art of Slowing Down: Spiritual Timeouts
Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebbSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukTaking little timeouts can be a powerful spiritual practice. I’m Steven Webb, and today we dive into how those forced pauses in our day can help us find inner peace, even when life feels chaotic. We often think that spirituality means lengthy meditation sessions, but it doesn’t have to be that complicated. Instead, we can use everyday moments—like waiting at a traffic light or taking a breath before a meeting—to reconnect with ourselves. Let’s explore how these simple breaks can help us manage stress and stay present, making our spiritual journey a lot more manageable and meaningful.Finding peace in a fast-paced world can be a daunting task, but it’s all about perspective. This podcast episode dives into the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and the simple yet profound practice of taking timeouts to reconnect with ourselves. I share my own experiences, noting that while I can smile and breathe, the challenge often lies in slowing down. The message here is that spirituality can be found in the everyday moments, not just in long meditation sessions or complicated practices.Throughout our conversation, I encourage listeners to embrace the forced pauses in their daily lives, such as waiting at traffic lights or dealing with interruptions. These moments can be transformed into opportunities for mindfulness, helping us to breathe, reset, and refocus. By allowing ourselves to take these timeouts, we can cultivate a sense of calm that permeates our lives, helping us navigate the chaos with more grace and clarity.I remind everyone that the spiritual journey is not a straight line; it’s filled with ups and downs, and that’s perfectly okay. It’s about becoming more compassionate toward ourselves and recognizing that we’re all doing our best. By integrating these small moments of stillness into our day, we can create a more peaceful existence and ultimately allow ourselves to respond to life rather than react. This episode serves as a gentle nudge to appreciate the little pauses that life offers us and to use them as tools for growth and awareness.Takeaways: Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us to smile, breathe, and take things slow in life. Spiritual growth isn't just about long meditations; it's about finding peace in small moments. Using forced timeouts can help us reconnect with ourselves and find inner calm. Compassion and self-acceptance are signs that your spiritual journey is making progress. Life's ups and downs are normal; accepting this messiness is part of the journey. Each little moment of stillness helps us build a longer fuse to manage stress better.
Stillness in the Storms brings a fresh voice to mindfulness - one that truly understands transformation comes not from escaping hardship, but finding peace within it.
Join Steven Webb, a man who turned personal tragedy into an uplifting journey, as he reveals how to uncover inner calm and meaning in life's toughest moments.
After a devastating diving accident left him severely paralyzed at 19 years old, Steven emerged with deep insights on resilience, presence, and living fully. Now, he shares those hard-won lessons to help you transform adversity into personal growth.
Blending Zen Buddhism, Stoic philosophy, and his own story, Steven speaks to those struggling with grief, health challenges, burnout, and other storms we all face. Through relatable examples and practical wisdom, he makes mindfulness feel accessible - no retreat required.
Inspirational yet down-to-earth, Steven will reframe how you approach life’s difficulties. You’ll gain tools to build courage, practice gratitude, release regret, manage stress, and unlock contentment - no matter what comes your way.
Join the Stillness in the Storms community by subscribing and sharing your own journey. Help Steve keep these calming conversations flowing for everyone searching for inner peace in chaotic times.
The storms of life do not define you. But with Steven’s guidance, you can find stillness and meaning within them. Are you ready to transform?
New Zealand