What is meditation?
It is a technique of using your mind in a way that aids relaxation and reduces stress and tension. Some types of meditation have a devotional or religious approach, others such as T’ai Chi have a physical approach. Meditation has been used for centuries and has been a part of both Eastern and Western cultures.
Transcendental and mindfulness meditation are two commonly practised approaches. Transcendental meditation uses the repetition of a specific mantra to quieten the mind. Mindfulness is the practice of cultivating nonjudgmental present moment awareness that can help relieve stress. Meditation is not a useful technique for people who have borderline personality disorders or who have a history of psychotic illness.
Can meditation help someone who has breast cancer?
Yes, it can because meditating regularly can help to relieve anxiety and the symptoms of stress. It may lead to a person needing to take less pain relief, and the combination of all these things can result in an improved quality of life.
How do you learn to meditate?
You could start by reading a book and listening to a CD about meditation and trying out some of the basic concentration and breathing techniques. To study further you could go to a teacher experienced in the particular technique you wish to learn. Before learning to meditate you will have to learn relaxation techniques.
What happens the first time I go to a meditation teacher?
Well, that varies according to the type of meditation, but you should be told about the meditation and why it might be beneficial. You will then be taught the principles of meditation.
Do teachers have special training?
Many people who teach meditation are trained in mindfulness based stress reduction or have been taught meditation techniques through other teaching, for example, Buddhism.
Is meditation teaching available on the NHS?
No, but some organisations that teach meditation do not charge.
