Meditation can be described as a state of being where the mind remains alert and focused while the body is relaxed and resting. It is also a spiritual discipline promoting balance, peace, inner strength and ultimately self-realisation. Meditation actually rewires the subconscious to be more at peace, which heals your soul. During meditation you will not be hypnotised or controlled: you are in control of your experiences at all times.
There are many different types of meditation, all with the aim of calming the mind and bringing you back to your quiet centre of peace within. When the mind is calm and free from worry, it is clear and you are more able to hear your own intuition and make better decisions. The aim of meditation is not to stop the mind but to let thoughts arise and then let them pass without being carried away by them. Over time this helps you develop detachment from drama as you will be less distracted and overwhelmed by negative thoughts and emotions in your everyday life.
Meditation differs from relaxation in that with relaxation the body and mind are relaxed and the mind wanders. Relaxation is good for stress relief as you can switch off and take time out. Relaxation is the absence of tension and muscular contraction.
Benefits of Meditation
- Greater concentration and focus in daily life – it improves performance in study, sport etc and aids achieving goals.
- Promotes inner harmony, peace and balance.
- Calms body and mind so relieves stress.
- Improves physical health – lowers BP, tension, anxiety; improves mood and boosts the immune system as it is under less stress.
- Clearer, quicker thinking and increased productivity.
- Calming and grounding – puts things into perspective, brings us back to a place of peace and stillness.
- Greater inner strength, serenity and self-confidence which leads to positive changes in all areas of life.
- Increases intuition and self-awareness.
- Greater sense of connection to others and concept of Oneness.
- Encourages us to live in the present, develop forgiveness and release the emotional baggage of the past.
Types of Meditation
One-Point Meditation: This style of meditation is great for developing focus. Usually the focus is the flow of the breath, with the attention being placed either on the tip of the nose or on the rise and fall of the stomach. Simple mantra meditation (such as ‘in/’out’ in line with the breath), counting meditation, observing a candle flame or crystal are further examples of this type of meditation.
Guided Meditation/Visualisation: The style involves being taken on a journey in your mind to a place of peace and beauty such as a beach, forest or garden incorporating the sights, sounds and smells of the place to help you go beyond the physical senses. Body scan and chakra meditations also come under this heading and both are great for increasing self-awareness.
Mindfulness: This involves being totally involved in whatever task you are doing, such as walking, brushing your teeth or eating your dinner mindfully. It teaches you awareness of your own mind and to be mindful of your thoughts. It encourages you to live in the present moment and is very good for people with anxiety who need a more grounding kind of meditation.
Creative Meditation: This includes healing meditations (sending light to and using visualisation in a particular area of the body or mind). You can also visualise yourself achieving a particular goal or manifesting a desired character trait such as confidence, peace or joy. Nowadays it is used by athletes and in some workplaces to boost performance. It adheres to the concept that action, or energy, follows thought.
Beyond the Self: The true purpose of meditation is to go beyond our concept of Self and ego. Methods include focusing on the still point or space between the thoughts, Vipassana meditation and meditating on light or the nature of God. Some of these methods encourage you to meditate on questions such as ‘Who am I?’, which then becomes like peeling off the layers of an onion as you go deeper and deeper. Over time your crown chakra opens up more and you are more easily able to project your consciousness beyond your physical body out into the universe and become aware of the inter-connectedness or oneness of all life.
Active Meditation: This style includes practices such as Chi Kung and Tai Chi but can also include walking meditation. Each movement is carried out with purpose and focus and the person becomes totally absorbed in what they are doing.
Meditation Advice
Meditation is one of the safest therapies available and is suitable for those with mild to moderate anxiety, depression and symptoms of stress and controlled mental health conditions. Please consult with your doctor before taking part in a meditation class if you have any of the following health conditions:- severe psychiatric symptoms especially psychosis or paranoia, bipolar, depression (if not taking medication) or an active addiction.
You may like to bring a blanket or layers of clothing with you when you come to a class because you may chill off a little. This is entirely normal as your blood pressure and body temperature will decrease during meditation.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.
I offer the following as half day workshops or courses:-
Beginners Meditation and Relaxation
Includes definition and benefits of meditation, relaxation techniques, meditation techniques, guided visualisation, emotions, resistance, dealing with thoughts and distractions, psychic protection, grounding and closing down. In this course you will be introduced to a range of meditation and relaxation techniques including counting the breath, focusing on one point, candle gazing and mantras so that you can find out which practice suits you best. There will be time after each meditation to share experiences. This course will give you the basics to begin meditating on your own.
Meditation and the Vagus Nerve
Regulating the Vagus Nerve calms the autonomic nervous system which can move the body from a fight or flight (stress) response into one of calm and relaxation. It helps you to respond to challenges rather than react. This course includes a body relaxation, simple seated exercises to tone and regulate the Vagus Nerve and meditation practice.
Healing Meditation
This course incorporates creative visualisation and relaxation techniques to promote positive change in the body and mind. Each week will include a body scan relaxation, a creative visualisation exercise to promote positive qualities and a meditation to heal the body. The course is open to all with a basic knowledge of meditation. Please bring a notebook and pen. Course notes will be provided at the end of the course for all participants completing the full course.
Meditation for Healing and Wellbeing Workshop
This workshop gives you the opportunity to explore a variety of meditation styles to find out which one suits you best. We will include simple breathing techniques to calm the mind and balance the body; a chakra meditation to balance the energy body; a mindfulness exercise; simple seated Chi Kung exercises to boost chi and energise the body; and a healing meditation for body and mind.
Meditation for Grounding and Focus
This workshop is ideal for those who want to be more centred in themselves and more grounded in the physical world. Being grounded helps you become more focused at work and more able to achieve personal goals and dreams. It literally helps you to ground your thoughts, emotions and ideas. Grounding helps you experience greater inner peace and is therefore very beneficial for those suffering from anxiety, emotional sensitivity, stress, worry, over-thinking and living in your head too much. The workshop includes a mindfulness exercise to help you be in the present moment, a third eye meditation to strengthen focus, creative visualisation to help you focus on your goals, one-point meditation to calm the mind, a meditation to access your own deep inner knowing and grounding exercises.
*Next Courses*
BEGINNERS MEDITATION
Learn how to meditate to bring more peace and calm into your life
6 week course on Monday evenings beg Mon 4th March 2024 7pm-8pm
Venue: East Leake Methodist Church, Main Street, East Leake, Leics, LE12 6PG
Cost: £55
In this course you will learn simple ways to calm and focus the mind which will help you detach from stress and drama and cope better in challenging situations. Including breathwork, guided meditation, visualisation and one point meditation, we will explore different points of focus to help still the mind, along with simple techniques to help you connect with the feeling of peace quickly when needed.
MEDITATION AND CREATIVE VISUALISATION
6 week course on Wednesday mornings beg Wed 15th May 2024 10am-11.15am or Mon evenings online in Zoom beg Mon 13th May 2024 7.30pm-8.45pm
Venue: Cromwell Drive, East Leake, Leics, LE12 6LZ
Cost: £60
This course aims to unravel old patterns, retrain your brain by creating new neural pathways and improve your life through creative visualisation. This course will help you achieve your goals and/or creative a new, more empowered version of You. This is real personal development work, creating shifts and transformation in your life. 4 short audio meditations will be emailed to you at the end of the course.
Helen Shortland 