Mindfulness
Mindfulness is awareness of what is happening right in this moment. Utilizing this practice develops and strengthens our ability to create more space in between life events and our reactions, which can facilitate a myriad of positive changes in our relationships to ourselves, romantic partners, friends, family, colleagues, and the world in general. The power of awareness could not be overstated and there is an overwhelming amount of research indicating that incorporating this into our daily lives has the potential to eliminate a tremendous amount of unnecessary suffering. There is no religious or spiritual affiliations with mindfulness. This practice is about equipping you with tools and skills necessary for overall wellness and peaceful living.
Increased attentiveness leads to the realization of our incessant thoughts about the past or future. We go through life with a seemingly ever-present underlying tension. We are unhappy when we don’t get what we want (and we always want something!) and we are unhappy when we do. We’re too busy. Our schedules don’t stop so it’s no surprise that our minds don’t either. Mindfulness is not just about being in the moment. It’s about acceptance, not judging, compassion, and so many other attitudes that contribute to a more enjoyable existence. Mindfulness and psychotherapy are a beautiful and powerful combination and I have experienced great success with clients using a blend of both practices.
I want to be clear that there are many ways to practice meditation and mindfulness. During our initial assessment we will discuss your goals and you will decide the best way to reach them! You can practice mindfulness without having a daily silent meditation practice and there are many benefits to reap by doing so. I urge you to call me with questions you may have regarding my treatment approach or if you need more clarification on mindfulness and/or meditation and how it may impact your healing journey.
Meditation
There are many myths about meditation. Many believe they must clear their mind completely, or that you have to be a monk to practice, but both ideas are untrue. I personally practice, and am certified to teach, Mindfulness Meditation. This involves a daily formal seated practice and the primary intention is to focus on your breath. The time spent meditating is not actually where most change occurs, rather it is where you develop the skills, attitudes, and perspectives that carry over into your every day life to bring you more peace, clarity, and happiness.
I promise you do not have to wear any special robes, subscribe to a certain religion or religious figure, use particular hand gestures, or have access to a mountaintop to practice meditation! This is a simple technique that does not require a significant amount of time each day, but can change your world dramatically.
I offer Mindfulness Meditation to:
Individuals
Humanity can be a real buzz-kill. Your Facebook would most likely give me the impression that you have your stuff together, but if you’re honest with yourself, you feel like a mess pretty often. Societal pressures make it difficult to accept ourselves completely or feel comfortable taking a break. We are on auto-pilot and operating at full-speed most of the time.
Stress builds up, obligations never cease, and we often seek refuge from the restlessness we feel. Shopping, eating, sex, alcohol, etc. I would love to help you break this cycle of constantly seeking pleasure and avoiding pain, for this is where anger, sadness, jealousy, and other unpleasant emotions manifest and suffering ensues. The good news is that you don’t have to feel that way and the ability to find relief is already within you.
Meditation can also be a beautiful addition to your personal time. This is an investment you will make in yourself that will give you so much more than the twenty or thirty minutes you may dedicate each day.
Couples
A great deal of long-stored emotional experience surfaces when we enter into a relationship. Conflict often arises from beliefs, memories, and opinions we have formed throughout our lives that have never been fully investigated or challenged. Are these patterns helping or hurting your ability to connect to your partner? Do you understand why you experience emotions like jealousy and anger? Or do you know where they come from but can’t manage them? Maybe you’re aware of your faults but you judge yourself for having them.
Developing a new clarity and understanding of the structure of your emotional patterns will not only benefit you as an individual, but can make a remarkable impact on your relationship. Being your authentic self and a present partner is one of the most loving acts you can perform. Practicing mindfulness meditation together can strengthen your ability to connect to the present moment, yourself, and to one another.
Families
Our home lives have become a balancing act that would make Cirque du Soleil proud. The constant chaos of multiple family members’ obligations coupled with the daily challenges of parenting can be overwhelming. Between modern technology, social media, and tension among family members, we often find ourselves emotionally disconnected from those we desire to be closest to.
Practicing mindfulness with your child, or as a family unit, will cultivate skills that encourage each member to be present, open, nonjudgmental, and attuned to others’ needs. We can cultivate skills that allow you to have an understanding of your own emotional output as well as each other’s. This can facilitate more ease in your daily interactions and create a bonding experience you can all look forward to.
I love family meditation as an alternative to traditional therapy. It is likely that one member of the family may not be interested in divulging information about their family to a third-party practitioner, and with meditation, that is perfectly fine. In fact, you don’t even have to speak to one another! Let the transformative powers of meditation heal your family.
Children and Teens
Encouraging a mindfulness practice for your child can be extremely beneficial. At a young age they can develop skills that will help them succeed for the rest of their lives. Focus and concentration will increase, they will learn powerful emotional self-regulation as well as positive attitudes towards themselves and others.
Groups
Learn to meditate in a group and take advantage of a special group rate! I offer group meditation instruction for 3 or more individuals.
Mental Health Professionals
As mental health professionals, we have an obligation to be our best selves in order to serve others most efficiently. Due to the nature of this work we are inclined to put others before us because even in the midst of our own personal struggles we must still be present for others’ pain with empathy, unconditional positive regard, kindness, and patience. A mindfulness practice can be invaluable in cultivating characteristics that make an incredible therapist and serve as maintenance of our own mental health, equanimity, and compassion.
It is with deepest sincerity that I believe mental health practitioners can benefit from a Vipassana Meditation practice, which is why I am willing to offer special rates for anyone in a “helping” profession. Please contact me for more information if you are interested.
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