Blog
I write here about energy healing, the cycles of the moon, breath work and daily life at Şifa Köyü.
Meditation for Beginners: What Does the First Week Look Like?
To start meditating you need a few minutes a day, a quiet corner and one point to bring your attention back to. This post walks through the first week and offers a plain seven-day plan.
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Permaculture in a Small Garden: Observation to First Design
Permaculture does not have to start with a big farm. Here is how you can begin with observation and draw a first design for a small garden, step by step.
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What Happens in a Women’s Circle? A First-Timer’s Guide
What happens in a women’s circle, do you have to share, and does what you say stay private? A first-timer’s guide to the usual flow and the questions to ask before you go.
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The Magic Formula That Makes Children Love Vegetables: The Şifa Köyü Books
The story of the Şifa Köyü book series, a year of work: making children love vegetables through stories, eating in season and reconnecting with nature.
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What Is Feminine Energy? How the Idea Is Used in Personal Growth
In personal growth, feminine energy is a way of describing qualities that live in all of us. Here is how I use the idea, with a look at our workshop at Şifa Köyü.
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Weekend Workshops for Adults in Istanbul: Candles, Painting, Sound, Meditation
A short introduction to the candle, painting, sound and meditation workshops for adults near Istanbul. For each one: what you do, whether you need prior knowledge, and what you take home.
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I Was on the CNBC-e Programme Parlak Fikir
I was a guest on Parlak Fikir, presented by Naz Özdeğirmenci: the founding journey of Şifa Köyü, holistic health and reconnecting with nature.
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Full Moon Journal Prompts and a Simple Intention Ritual
For me the full moon is a time of completion and gratitude. Here is the simple journaling ritual I use on full moon evenings, with the questions I ask myself.
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The Heart of Natural Living: A Talk at Şifa Köyü
Hosted by chef Özlem, we walk step by step through the seventy-acre Şifa Köyü: naturalness, returning to our essence and the Protection Shield breath practice.
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2027 Full Moon and New Moon Calendar: Dates and Times (UTC)
All thirteen new moons and twelve full moons of 2027 in one place, with UTC times and zodiac signs. The eclipses are added from NASA’s catalogue.
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A Nature Day Trip Near Istanbul: A Day on the Farm in Şile
If you are looking for a nature day trip in the Istanbul area, you can spend a day at Şifa Köyü farm in Çengilli, Şile. This post describes how the day generally goes, how visits are arranged and what to bring.
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How to Write an Affirmation: Realistic, Personal Examples
An affirmation is not a sentence you force yourself to believe. Here is how I write affirmations that feel personal and true, with examples you can adapt.
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A Guide to Freeing Yourself from Anxiety and Worry
Is there an invisible weight on your chest? A practice for noticing the balloon of worry and releasing it with conscious breath, and easing the heart area with the Ha sound.
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Year-End Company Event Ideas: Candle Making with the Team and a Year-End Gathering
Beyond the usual dinner, a year-end company event can be something the team makes together or a quiet gathering to close the year. Here are ideas for the office and for the farm in Şile, with what the group does and what to arrange in advance.
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Small Tasks, Big Gains for Children
With my husband Burak we talk about giving children responsibility: how small tasks like gathering leaves or carrying plates to the table grow their confidence.
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New Moon Intention List: Journal Prompts and How to Write It
For me, the new moon is a symbol of opening a new page. Here are journal prompts for writing your new moon intention list, and ways to connect each intention with a real step.
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Merve Tüfekçi’s Art: Finger Painting and Intention Paintings
I paint with my fingers, not a brush. I begin with a day from one of our Healing Art workshops, then share how I choose colours, my first solo exhibition and how a custom painting begins.
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Art of Living Seminar: How the Five Weeks Unfold
The Art of Living and Designing Own Life seminar runs for five weeks. Here is what we look at each week, which techniques we practise and how you can join.
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The Rules for Drawing Abundance into Your Life
Is abundance only the numbers in your bank account, or a reflection of your soul? Real wealth, the balance of giving and receiving, the power of sharing and where happiness begins.
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A Healing Day: Garden Meditation, Brunch and a Healing Talk
On 18 October we met in a garden in Istanbul. We began with a healing meditation, talked over a brunch prepared with produce we grow from heirloom seeds, and our Şifa Köyü stand was open all day.
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