Frequently Asked Questions about MBSR and Meditation
"I believe people are longing for a restoration of balance and serenity in their lives; the way to achieve this is not by moving faster or doing more but by learning how to be fully present in each moment."
~Lorrie Jones
Q: What does the term “integrative health” mean?
A: Integrative medicine/health is the term being used to refer to the full range of physical, psychological, social, preventive and therapeutic factors that support optimal health. In short, the term refers to "whole person health" and well-being, not just the presence (or absence) of a disease and/or a diagnosis.
Q: What is mindfulness meditation?
A: Mindfulness meditation is, above all else, an opportunity to access and cultivate the richness and beauty in your life, discovering awareness and acceptance. Through regular practice of mindfulness based practices, such as sitting quietly for 30-40 minutes, it is possible to gain calmness, clarity and insight in embracing all of life.
Q: What if I have unpleasant experiences while meditating?
A: Since meditation involves becoming more aware and more sensitive to what is within, facing unpleasant parts of oneself may well be part of meditation. Regardless of what is occurring, being aware of the experience and of any attachment to it is valuable.
Q: What if I don’t experience peace or clarity when I meditate?
A: Failure to experience silence, peace of mind, mental clarity, bliss, or other promoted benefit of meditation is not in itself a sign of incorrect practice or that one can't concentrate properly or concentrate enough to be "good" at meditation. The experience itself is not as important as regular practice, where we open expansively to "what is", cultivating an observer’s perspective and a beginner’s mind in our meditation practice.
Q: Is there such a thing as everyday mindfulness?
A: While some people will use a "formal" concentrative meditation as a preliminary step to practicing a mindfulness meditation on a daily basis, bringing a calm and aware presence to everyday moments is the heart of mindfulness. Truly, anything can become a meditation in life. Bringing the fullness of awareness to each moment is the key to living mindfully.
Q: What is the best time of day to meditate?
A: While meditation is beneficial at any time, most people who meditate agree that early morning is the best time to meditate. Many people also meditate either before dinner or later in the evening. Others also meditate at noon. An important consideration is when your schedule will allow you to meditate. To maintain regularity, set aside a time each day to meditate.
Q: Should I meditate with my eyes open or with my eyes closed?
A: Different traditions give different answers. Experiment and see what works for you and then stick with your choice of technique.
Q: When I meditate I experience physical pain in my body. What should I do?
A: The point of practicing meditation is to develop mindfulness. If pain comes up, then focusing on that is possible too. The practice of walking meditation (paying attention to the sensations at the feet as you walk from one point to another and then back again) is helpful with discomforts and can be mixed in with a sitting meditation over a period of an hour.
After making sure that posture is comfortable, begin to notice the sensations. Since the body and mind are calmer, you will notice more details in your bodily experience. It is often interesting to simply observe these sensations in your body and to use them as the objects of meditation. Sometimes these sensations just go away without your having to move or change your posture.
Q: How long should I meditate?
A: When first learning meditation it is usually not possible to meditate for more than 10-15 minutes. After regular practice, one becomes able to meditate for longer periods of time. Many people meditate twice-daily for 20-30 minutes each time, but the right duration and frequency is for each individual to decide.
Q: Do I need a teacher?
A: Most people who teach and practice meditation agree that a teacher can be an invaluable aid in learning a meditation technique and making sure it is practiced correctly. The beginner will usually have several questions which a teacher will be able to answer. Also, learning with a group of people, e.g. a meditation class, allows you to experience the benefit of meditating with a group of people. Most people find that they have some of their best meditations while meditating in a group, because there is a collective energy and focus present.
If you don't see your question answered here, drop us a note and we'll get back to you shortly. If you would like to bring the Simple Serenity MBSR Program© to your group or facility, please contact me for more information.
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