'The most important thing in all human relationships is conversation, but people don't talk anymore, they don't sit down to talk and listen. They go to the theatre, the cinema, watch television, listen to the radio, read books but they almost never talk' - Paolo Coelho

Five years ago I sent out invitations to a group of friends and colleagues inviting them for an evening of discussion. I had a yearning to engage in deeper conversations than usual about a broad range of topics. I also love bringing people together to connect with one another.

Twenty-five like-minded people - teachers, authors, healers, professional people - gathered together on that evening. They made new connections, they talked, they laughed and they explored new ideas with one another, creating wonderful lively energy at the same time.

That evening launched ConsciousCafe, an expanding network of people who come together to connect deeply through conversation. No matter how many books you read, how many lectures you attend and how much reflecting you do, you cannot really know what you think about a topic until you have had the opportunity to engage in conversation about it, to articulate your thoughts and ideas and to learn from other people's points of view.

The world we live in has become so complex, so technologically sophisticated and so inter-related that we cannot always know what we think. We cannot form well-judged opinions until we have had the opportunity to learn about the ideas of others.

ConsciousCafe offers this opportunity in a safe space where people feel they can trust one another and will explore thoughts and ideas and memories that might not be shared elsewhere.

Over the last five years ConsciousCafe has run a range of discussions, interactive events where leading-edge ideas are presented, workshops and a retreat.  In ten days time we are putting on our first conference on the topic of Raising the Vibration of Love.

No matter how many conversations we share and what topics we might explore - the meaning of community, fear, happiness,  freedom, conscious work-life balance and many more - in the end all of us know that when we are able to become kinder, more tolerant, more respectful and more loving to one another, we will all benefit.  We will live in a happier place internally and that will reflect on our external experiences in the world as we focus on the wellbeing of each other and not just of ourselves.

We live in an amazing society where we can access all the world's information almost immediately. Spectacular inventions and extraordinary developments are taking place every day.  But happiness lies in small things - caring for one another, laughing with friends, eating good food, enjoying a beautiful sunset, doing rewarding work. Until we can be in the habit of keeping these things foremost in our minds on a daily basis, we will always be struggling to find our calm centre and enjoy peace of mind.

Raising the Vibration of Love, ConsciousCafe's first one-day conference will take place at Regent University, Inner Circle, London, W1 on Sunday 27 November.  More information and to book tickets www.consciouscafe.org