Meditation
Coaching

Meditation is not just for Buddhist monks…

You’re willing and ready to learn, but don’t know how to begin. You can’t stop your busy mind from wandering, or you struggle to find time to do it.

You wonder, “How long should I meditate? Which style of meditation is best? How will meditation fit into my life, especially with kids?”

You may even wonder if you’re cut out for meditation.

Yes, you, too, can meditate!

I’ve taught countless individuals how to create a daily practice of meditation, both young and old, with and without families of children… I can teach you, too!

The real benefits of meditation don’t come merely from meditating here and there at a yoga class, but from sustaining a consistent daily practice in your life… which is my specialty and passion!

As humans we are wired to react rather than respond to situations. Our child acts out, and we yell. Our spouse criticizes, and we argue back. Our computer breaks down, and we have an adult tantrum.

Our reality is that the world around us dictates our feelings and behavior. We operate like a tree blowing in the wind of our life circumstances… “Once I get the perfect body… once my bank account has over “x” dollars… once I get married – then I’ll feel happy.

We feel powerless, hopeless or frustrated when our life circumstances or people let us down. Or, startling enough, when we do achieve these outer ideals, we are left perplexed as to why we are still somehow left unsatisfied.

We hit a wall when we see that our outer world may not be a reliable source for our inner satisfaction… but we don’t know any other way.

There is another way!

Inner peace and a deeper level of satisfaction are possible, even in the midst of the great challenges that life brings.

Uh, but how?

Simply said, meditation is the doorway “inward” to cultivating inner peace independent of our life circumstances or other’s people’s behaviors. When we begin accessing a deeper level of satisfaction and inner peace through a practice of meditation, we experience a new freedom in our life.

We develop more “self-mastery” – aka, we notice we are less “triggered” by situations that used to throw us into a tizzy. We begin responding (as opposed to reacting) to our environment in entirely new ways. We see life through a wider lens with more insight into how to handle situations/problems in our life that used to baffle us.

The benefits of meditation are endless – on spiritual, emotional, psychological, interpersonal levels. Harvard studies have even proven the cognitive and psychological benefits of meditation for individuals.

Is it religious?

Meditation is not religious in and of itself, and yet it is a profound tool that people of diverse religious or spiritual backgrounds utilize to feel more spiritually connected.

For example, a Christian can use meditation to enhance their connection to Jesus, and a Buddhist can use meditation to enhance their experience of spiritual oneness with others.

But also, atheists may use meditation as a way to help them experience a sense of inner calm or peace, and agnostics may use meditation to tap into a source greater than themselves.

Similarly, a new parent may use meditation to restore a sense of equilibrium or enhance their patience with their children; an entrepreneur or even an artist may incorporate meditation into their life to enhance a flow of creative or innovative ideas. A college student may use meditation to reduce stress related to academic work and help create an overall sense of balance. And on and on…

Ok, sounds good, but what do you actually do during sessions with clients?

Let’s take Pat, for example…

Pat comes to me solely to learn to meditate. We spend the first session gathering background info on Pat similar to my first session in therapy. I begin to understand Pat’s experience with meditation including his barriers to a daily practice and lifestyle concerns.

Right away we debunk common myths around meditation and how to overcome the typical challenges, so Pat can see how doable meditation is for him.

We spend the first two or three sessions discussing the actual process of your mind (or consciousness) while we are meditating. Then, we spend subsequent sessions discussing how to create time and space for a daily practice considering Pat’s specific lifestyle needs.

We start discussing, visioning and creating Pat’s sacred meditation space in his home. We may even schedule a visit in person or virtually to address the nitty gritty aspects and challenges of Pat’s physical living space, so that Pat can create a fully functioning meditation space.

We will discuss actual items that Pat can incorporate into his space that can make his practice more effortless. Pat will learn how to sit in his space (body posture) and what meditation seating is doable for Pat.

Pat will begin to practice meditation at home daily using the tools and action steps we discussed. We will reconvene again to process how things went. We will identify and address any challenges that arose. We also create appropriate accountability for Pat as he begins to create a new life habit.

We continue our work to incorporate Pat’s family, including young children, into his practice of meditation, including incorporating kid-friendly elements into his space. We discuss the benefits of rhythm and children – and how meditation can be an easily implementable routine for the whole family.

We also will practice and discuss the benefits of different types of meditation (walking or eating meditations, candle gazing, or cathartic active meditations). Although my work varies depending on the needs of the given client, this gives you a general idea of the work I do with clients.

How long until I start to experience the benefits?

Again, like with therapy, it varies from person to person… each person is uniquely different. I’ve had a client come to me and say after two months of daily practice, “I’m noticing that I’m calmer, and I’ve got a longer threshold with my anger across the board.”

Or after four months a client of mine saying, “I just realized that this Christmas my mom didn’t trigger upset feelings in me like she has on every other holiday. Her comments that used to get under my skin, just really didn’t bother me this holiday.”

Or another client saying after seven months, “I used to hate being alone, but I now I feel more comfortable in my own skin and having alone time.”

Benefits can show up as more subtle or profound depending on the individual. Let it be said that every single person I’ve ever known who has sustained a consistent daily practice of meditation has claimed that meditation has had profoundly positive effects on their life over time.

What kinds of clients do you see for meditation?

I best work with clients who have a true desire to learn to meditate and who are willing to take actions to support change in their life.

Yes, I can plant seeds for people who only halfheartedly wish to improve their lives, but I’ve learned it must take the willingness and readiness of an individual to be able to implement any long-term change (meditation or most other things). My intention is to teach you how to be self-sufficient in your meditation practice for a lifetime.

Most clients come to see me for psychotherapy sessions, and I incorporate my teachings of meditation into our therapy work. Others come to see me solely to learn to meditate (many then decide to continue as my therapy client as they see the value of therapy as we begin the process of going “inward”).

Do you meditate regularly?

I sure do! I’ve had my own daily practice of meditation since 2005 (amidst pregnancy, young children, and life changes, mind you!). I feel meditation is the single most transformational and effective tool I utilize in my life and that I offer my clients. I am passionate (no, really, I am!) about teaching others to meditate and witnessing the positive shifts in their life as a result!

I’m ready to begin!

If this resonates with you, you are ready to begin the journey “inward” toward a life beyond your wildest dreams… Let me help you uncover your authentic self and access more inner peace, emotional stability, confidence (and more!).

There’s a reason you found this website page. It’s time. You’re authentic Self is waiting to be discovered. Give a call: (805) 305-4543 to schedule a consultation.