Speaker profile
Dr Mark Westmoquette
Available for booking
London, Greater London, England
100 miles travel distance
Astronomy Author
Professional Astronomer
Science Communicator
Summary
Ex-professional astronomer turned meditation and Zen teacher, specialising in "mindful stargazing".
Full biography
Mark has a PhD in Astrophysics and worked as a professional astronomer for a decade. In 2013 he quit academia and took up teaching yoga and meditation. Since then he has been combining his expertise in astronomy and astrophysics with the principles of mindfulness to develop what he calls 'mindful stargazing.' This unique practice involves blending inner contemplation and mindfulness with a profound understanding of the universe.
Mark has written several books that explore the intersection of mindfulness and astronomy, including "Mindful Thoughts for Stargazers" (2019), "The Mindful Universe" (2020), and "Stars: A Practical Guide to the Key Constellations" (2020). He runs regular mindful stargazing events and retreats across the UK and Europe.
Having spent time as a research astrophysicist, he can speak confidently about many topics in astronomy relating to stars, galaxies and the universe. As a meditation teacher, he can also speak about topics relating to wellbeing, slowing down and shifting perspective. His own journey through life, first as an astronomer then shifting gears into wellbeing and spirituality, makes for a very interesting background to his talks and presentations.
