Why work with a Meditation Teacher?

A meditation teacher can help us develop a more consistent, beneficial practice by introducing us to more than just guided meditation. A comprehensive understanding of what mindfulness is, how it works, and how it can benefit us in our daily lives motivates us to practice. Finding a great meditation teacher can give you the confidence to trust your inherent wisdom.

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When it comes to learning meditation, having teachers who guide you in this facilitative way is vitally important. Meditation lies somewhere between an intellectual pursuit and skills training of the kind that athletes, martial artists, and musicians, among others, rely on. It involves techniques that have physical aspects, and it is indeed a bit like building up a muscle—at first the “attention muscle”—so some coaching and coaxing are integral aspects of real teaching.

 

A meditation teacher can provide true education: drawing out what’s inside us and leading us on a journey, not a journey that is prepackaged in a book or on an app, but a journey we co-create. It’s not a paved road. It’s a trail that we must blaze—with help.

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When should I meditate?

One of the main advantages of meditation is that it doesn’t have to take up much of your day. As long as you practice regularly (preferably once a day), you’ll be able to gradually build your ability to meditate. Start for five minutes, or even two minutes if that seems too much. Practicing daily will allow you to naturally grow the length of time you’re able to meditate for.

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It’s not the end of the world if your chosen meditation time varies from day to day; however, you’re more likely to experience the benefits if you stick to a regular time. Most well-practiced meditators agree that the ideal time of day to practice is first thing in the morning. At this point, the mind is less busy or occupied by daily concerns — plus, it sets you up nicely for the day ahead. Many seasoned meditators say that meditating in the morning allows you to experience the peace and quiet of the world around you, at a time when your brain is naturally less busy. 

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Where does meditation originate from?

Meditation has been around for thousands of years. It is one of the oldest practices known to man, with links to ancient Buddhist and Hindu traditions, yoga practice and other meditative or spiritual experiences.

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Forms of meditation existed in many ancient societies and cultures; however, it’s likely that many of the first meditative practices originated in ancient India. Even in our most primitive societies, staring into the fires that kept us warm allowed us to discover and explore different states of meditation, consciousness and awareness.

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Researchers and historians have found meditative techniques dating back to over five thousand years ago. Over time, the teachings of different meditative practices and styles spread naturally across Asia, becoming more popular in Europe and North America after the freedom movements of the 60s and 70s. And while modern mindfulness in the West has strayed away from the practice’s roots, the basic principles of improving concentration and attention, expanding present moment awareness and boosting mental and physical well-being remain the same.

 

What results can I expect?

Meditation works if you work it. Just like with anything it requires practice. 

 

Meditation and mindfulness practices are a great way to improve focus, concentration, and general well-being. They can also help you experience flow states, in which you feel “in the zone” and able to accomplish things with natural efficiency. You don’t need to spend hours each day meditating. Just 3-5 minutes a day will go a long way towards managing stress and introducing calm to your mind and body.

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Meditation also has numerous health benefits. Releasing physical and mental tension can help you lower your blood pressure, increase your focus, and improve your overall health.

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Meditation also helps you achieve a deeper sense of emotional balance. It can help you gain additional perspective on your life and become more aware of yourself, your emotions, and your broader surroundings. This is because meditation encourages a healthy distance between you and the stresses in your life, whether it’s life, family or work.

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What are the biggest misconceptions about meditation?

When people begin to meditate, there are usually several misconceptions that they have:

• That a busy mind makes you a bad meditator.

• That meditation is only for a particular kind of person.

• That your mind shouldn’t wander while you meditate.

• That you have to meditate for an hour every day to get the benefits.

• That you don’t have enough time.

Meditation is a great way to calm your mind and relax your body. It’s also a great way to improve your focus and concentration. But there are many different types of meditation, with different forms suiting different people. By incorporating a “noting” technique into your practice, where you simply recognize your rogue thoughts instead of beating yourself up about them, you will experience a deeper form of meditation. This practice is about deconstructing the idea that a busy mind is a bad thing; mindfulness meditation is just about noticing your thoughts, noticing where your mind wanders, and observing without judgement. Practicing this repeatedly is a form of self-directed neuroplasticity that can help you literally change the structures of your own brain over time.

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How do I know if meditation is right for me?

You desire to:

• Heal your unfocused and cluttered mind

• Relieve yourself from prolonged anxiety, worry, and tension

• Find peace from the stress

• Let go of the depression and step into freedom and bliss

• Wake up to the chaotic voice within and begin to soothe it 

• Allow for positivity and true happiness to flow freely into your life

• Let go of the Ego