Meditation Questions & Answers

"Meditation is not to
escape from society, but to
come back to ourselves
and see what is going on.
Once there is seeing,
there must be acting.

With mindfulness, we
know what to do and what
not to do to help."

Thich Nhat Hanh

"Where science, psychology and spirituality meet in a way
that makes a difference to your reality."

Purpose of Meditation

Generally, people meditate to: increase self awareness, reduce stress, increase focus, and to
connect with a higher spiritual state of the Self. As the benefits from the practice extend well
beyond the spiritual, it has also become a well-recognized practice in the physical and mental
health fields. As with many ancient practices, science is only now coming to recognize the
tangible results and multitude of ways mediation can be used to improve well-being and recovery.

Think about your typical day and the time you have free to really just sit and be with yourself. How
much time do you have? During the typical day we are constantly subjected to sensory input and
our minds are always active in the process of thinking. We read the newspaper, study books,
write reports, engage in conversation, avert crises with the kids, solve problems, etc. Typically, as
we do these normal activities we engage in a constant mental commentary, sort of an inner "The
Drama of Me." Most of us aren't fully aware of all the mental thought activity that we are constantly
engaged in.

Meditation allows all this activity to settle down, and results in the mind becoming more peaceful,
calm and focused. In essence, meditation allows the awareness and presence of an individual
to become 'rejuvenated'.

Common Questions and Answers:

What is meditation?

How is meditation different from relaxation, thinking, concentration or self-hypnosis?

What are the Basics of meditation? How do I meditate?

Are there any religious affiliations with meditation?

Does meditation have any ethical implications?

What is the best time of day to meditate?

Why do some people use music while meditating?

Should I meditate with my eyes open or with my eyes closed?

What are the physiological effects of meditation?

When I meditate I experience discomfort in my body. What should I do?

How long should I meditate?

Do I need a teacher?

Centering &
Grounding
first