Frequently Asked Quesitions
What kind of meditation is taught here?
Different names have been given to what is essentially the same understanding. I will be sharing meditation practices that are rooted in the Buddhist Vipassana practice, meaning insight, or being with reality as it is. It’s well known Western name is Mindfullness Meditation and can be described as a deliberate training of our attention towards a non-judgemental awareness of present moment experience. It's a very simple and accessible technique that requires no particular skills, knowledge or belief, just an authentic interest to see our moment to moment experience as it is.
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If meditation makes me more relaxed, how can I still be productive?
The point of meditation is not to make us more relaxed, the point is to be fully and openly present with the current moment, which includes the moment where we are fully engaged in work or other tasks. By not losing ourselves in stories about the past or future, we ca fully engage with the task in front of us and be more productive.
I would like to meditate but my mind is too active, how do I stop it?
The human mind is naturally very active. Thinking, analysing, planning are powerfull tools that allow us to understand and function in this world. In meditation there is really no need to get rid of anything that arises. Instead, we can be gently aware of the restlessness and the thoughts. The acknowledgement of 'what is' is all that is needed.
Do I have to be seated to meditate?
Not at all. In fact, in Buddhist meditation practice the emphasis is on developing Mindfulness of various postures: sitting, walking, laying down and standing, because those are the postures we inhabit in life. Naturally, how you practice is also informed by the capabilities of your body and it is always recommended to take care of your personal needs. That said, a regular seated practice is helpful for many to establish a rhythm in their meditation practice and allow the mind to settle more easily.
Do I have to have my eyes cosed while meditating?
It is perfectly fine to have your eyes open during meditation, however most people will find it easier to establish a mindful presence by reducing the amount of visual input. This is because our minds are often so focussed on the content of experience (thoughts, feelings, perceptions and sensations) that we tend to overlook the simple fact of being aware. By reducing the stimuli, our minds naturally sink back into an open presence. That said, when you feel overwhelmed, or any other need arise to get grounded in your direct environment, please do so.
How long and often do I need to meditate?
I would recommend to find a rhythm that works for your life conditions and that brings consistency. Having a daily moment to check-in with yourself, even for a few minutes, can make a huge difference for you day. In general I think a consistent practice of short meditations is often more beneficial than an inconsistent one with longer meditations.
What is the best time to meditate?
There is no right or wrong here. Personally I prefer a meditation first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening. When I wake up my mind is usually still and I can be aware of more subtle layers of mind and body and set my intentions for the day. In evening I can check-in with the aftermath of a busy day and notice how it is expressed in my body and mind, I can see if there is anything that needs my attention before going to bed.
Can yoga be part of my mindfulness practice?
Definitely! In fact, any type of conscious movement exercise is highly recommended. This is because 1) we need to get the juices flowing once in a while and 2) when challenging material like difficult emotions or trauma come up during our meditation, sitting still with them can make it worse.
Can sport be my meditation, does this kind of meditation offer any other benefits?
Sports and movement are a powerful way to release tension, reconnect with the body, the breath and this moment. In fact, there are many situation where it might be better for you to go running than to sit still on a cushion. That said, when we engage in ‘formal’ meditation, in which we allow our minds to simply rest in the space of awareness, it becomes possible to 'touch on' layers of mind and heart that are usually covered over by thought or activity.
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The more I meditate the more discomfort I feel, do I just stay with it until it goes away?
Some will emphasise the need to stay with the discomfort above all else, as you would eventually notice that even the most challenging sensations have no ‘substance’, and might naturally transmute into an experience of joy or bliss. Although this will work for some, my experience is that most people will get stuck on the difficult feelings and eventually aggravate it. It is also likely that these sensations are there to communicate a need which needs some form of tending. If the awnser is “no” to the question, “Can I be with this?”, you might want to ask yourself “what do I need right now?”. Often we need some form of support, a walk, a hug, some fresh air etc.
Is meditation safe?
Mindfulness meditation is generally a safe practice, and is sometimes sold as a cure for all and something you cannot go wrong with. Following up on the previous question, a common pitfall in mindfulness is that we can get stuck on the difficult feelings and eventually aggravate them. This is especially true in case of trauma. In general it is advised to ‘stay within your window of tolerance’. In other words, go slow and gentle with yourself. Consult a trauma professional if you find yourself repeatedly anxious, overwhelmed or numb.
What is trauma informed mindfulness?
Thankfully, in recent years a lot of research has been done on our nervous system, trauma and their relation to mindfulness meditation. Trauma, it turns out, is very pervasive in society and does not have to be caused by a spectacular event. It occurs when our systems are overwhelmed (we found ourself outside our ‘ window of tolerance’) and did not have the opportunity for (self)regulation within a reasonable amount of time. The event and it’s corresponding triggers then get wired and stuck in our body-minds, ready to be triggered at any time in the future. In meditation trauma is known to surface as these parts seek some form of release. It then gives us the opportunity to heal the trauma, but only with sufficient care and support. As always, we want to stay within our ‘window of tolerance’
If meditation is about not resisting ‘what is’ does that mean I have to allow everything to happen in the world?
Not at all.We can be mindful and respond with a firm no. When we speak of resistance, or allowing in meditation, what we mean is the internal resistance to the sensations, the thoughts, feelings and perceptions. The inner ‘No’ to what is already present. With meditation we find that we can have both a loving ‘Yes’ to life inwardly, while clearly communicating boundaries.
Is meditation spiritual or religious?
Although the origin of meditation as it is taught in many places might be Buddhist, the practice of meeting this moment as it truly is, moment to moment, is not limited to any religion as it can be done by anyone, everywhere at any moment.
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Is meditation a belief or a departure from reason?
To answer this question we have to become clear on the difference between a belief and reality. Reality would be something that is true for everyone, regardless of the circumstances. In other words, reality is absolute truth. A belief however, would be something that can be true for one person, but not for another. In other words a belief is a relative truth. Coming back to meditation and the the simple fact of meeting this moment just as it is, that cannot possibly be a belief, because it is available for everyone at any time, regardless of the circumstances. You can investigate at any moment: am I aware of 'this moment'? Regardless what the weather is, the answer will always be yes.
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