About Dreams are Arrows
An introduction to the origins of our work from our Founder, Lyndall Thomas
I didn't start writing affirmations because I was inspired or optimistic. I started because something in me was stuck. I'm a lifelong meditator, a writer and creator. And I'm a perfectionist with a loud inner critic. I began creating resources for myself so that I could learn how to sit with my own feelings instead of numbing out, and to turn the volume down on the voice that told me I wasn't good enough.
Years ago, I was sketching logos on a piece of paper when the words 'dreams are arrows' turned up, unbidden. Dreams are Arrows: They tell you which way to go. I tucked that idea away in my heart and carried it with me for a long time, thinking of it every now and then.
When the moment was right, I started writing meditations and creating step-by-step guides to help me return to the calm presence that I knew as my real self (not the anxious, overthinking perfectionist who was so hard on herself). Dreams are Arrows grew from that practice — and I'm still inside it.
Learning to sit with myself
The meditations began as a way to learn how to sit with myself. I had read about the idea of meeting your feelings where they are — I loved Rumi's poem The Guest House (you can read it below if you're not familiar with it), but I didn't know how to do that in a way that actually worked for me. So I started writing affirmations that let me acknowledge what was there, rather than pushing it away or numbing out with distractions.
The practice has changed me. The inner critic is still there — I don't think she's going anywhere — but her voice is quieter now, and I know how to acknowledge her and let my Higher Self take the lead. Drawing on the work of Dr Jill Bolte Taylor, I learned how to do this and, from there, I have been able to create my own method for shifting into calm presence and setting aligned intentions.
I'm a writer first. I've spent more than twenty years writing, editing and designing guides, reports and all sorts content for clients across all kinds of industries, and I'm bringing that craft to this work. I've almost finished my first novel — something I've wanted to write all my life — and I've been studying poetry alongside it.
The language in these meditations is where my literary voice and my spiritual practice meet. I've been meditating since I was a teenager and practising yoga for many years. Insight Timer has been a quiet teacher for a long time, with more than 2,600 days of practice on the app, and countless hours learning from the people who share their work there.
I'm blessed to have the opportunity to create Dreams are Arrows with a beautiful voice artist, Samantha Anderson-Mayes, and a wonderful sound producer, Nathan Broadbent, whose care for this work shows up in every recording.
A growing library of resources
Dreams are Arrows is home to a growing library of meditations and affirmations, free to listen to on YouTube and Insight Timer. Alongside the audio, I create written guides for the deeper work — Thriving is my birthright is a free guide to help you identify the conditions you need in order to thrive, and Following the arrow is a step-by-step guide to meeting your Higher Self, so you can move toward a dream that's been quietly calling you. New meditations and resources are added regularly, with more guides on the way.
If any of this resonates, I'd love for you to stay a while.
A good place to begin is with Thriving is my birthright. I wrote this guide because so many of us get stuck in survival mode. Taking just a few minutes to sit down with a cup of tea and a resource like this can help you shift out of overwhelm.
May you find your way home to yourself.
With love,
Lyndall
The Guest House
by Jalaluddin Rumi
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
Our team
Words
Lyndall Thomas
Lyndall is a writer and editor, living on Bunurong country in Naarm (Melbourne). Lyndall has been meditating since she was a teenager and she brings her wisdom and insight to all the Dreams are Arrows content. Connect with Lyndall here.
Voice
Sam Anderson-Mayes
Samantha is an opera singer by trade, working as a mezzo-soprano in Melbourne and Perth. She has worked as a singer and a model, and lends her beautiful voice to the Dreams are Arrows tracks. You can connect with Sam here.
Sound
Nathan Broadbent
Nathan is a sound technician and electronic music producer. He dabbles in programming and video game production. Nathan also sings in a number of choirs. You can connect with Nathan through his Airborne Scoria page.
A free gift for you: Thriving is my birthright
To say thanks for being here, we want to share our free interactive guide: Thriving is my birthright. It will help you step out of survival mode and start creating the conditions where you can thrive.
It's gentle, it's practical and it's our gift to you.
You can use this resource for quiet reflection whenever you have time - 15 minutes here and there, or take yourself off to a cafe or a favourite quiet place for an hour or so of blissful time reconnecting with yourself. Enjoy!
Read more about the guide here or get your free gift straight away using the form below.
