The Problem of Defining Meditation

When we sit down to meditate, we can often find it difficult to calm our minds. One of the biggest traps meditation practice is thinking that one should have a calm mind during meditation. One of the most important aspects of enjoying meditation is, “…to avoid falling into the trap of defining meditation too narrowly, and then judging yourself based on that definition, and so sabotaging yourself, “ to quote Zen teacher Norman Fisher.

If we self-define what good or bad meditation is, then we will not be open to the entire experience we have in the present moment of meditation, instead we will be stuck in an evaluation or judging mindset - this is good or bad, right or wrong. Meditation is fundamentally about observation and awareness. Are we aware of the thoughts our mind is generating? Are we aware of our feelings? Are we aware of any judgements were making? When we can shift to this wider mindset, we can begin to find real peace, comfort and relaxation.

Meditation, Difficult Emotions and Transformation

One of the most beneficial aspects of meditation is its transformative ability to us help move through difficult emotions such as sadness, grief, anger and frustration. These are all emotions we commonly run away from feeling at first. They are scary to us. They feel like monsters that we cannot let in at any cost. Having this reaction to difficult emotions makes sense however at first - if we have a way of avoiding feeling bad, we generally take that option. However, as we know, we cannot hide from these difficult emotions forever. It feels as if the more we try to put off feeling something, the stronger it arises in us.

Meditation is one of safest and effective ways to allow difficult emotions to first arise, then be held with due respect and kindness in our body and in our mind, and lastly pass away and transform us.

What is Meditation Coaching?

Meditation coaching is a new way to receive the benefits of a regular meditation practice for you and your family.