What is Meditation?
Meditation is one of the most effective techniques for mental and physical well being and its focus is on quieting the busy mind. The purpose of meditation is not to eliminate stimulus, but to guide your awareness to one healing element - one sound, word, colour, movement, thought, image, or one's breath. This creates a feeling of calmness and relaxation, along with an increased sense of mindfulness.
What is Guided Meditation?
Meditation is an inner journey that requires a lot of practice, patience and perseverance. It can be practised alone, in a group or with a guide. However, a large number of people find it difficult to meditate alone and find it far easier to do so with a guide. When a guide or teacher leads you through your meditative journey, it is called “Guided Meditation.” This process slowly and methodically helps you attain a meditative state of deep relaxation and inner stillness, even without any prior experience or expertise.
How is Guided Meditation different from just plain meditation?
The difference between guided meditation and non-guided meditation is that in the former, your guide gently leads you in and out of the meditative state. She helps you steer your awareness away from your body and towards your mind, activating your subconscious, and giving you positive suggestions and affirmations, which stay in your subconscious even after the meditation is over. The subconscious can then act on them as and when needed. Another important benefit of guided meditation is that even if you fall asleep during the meditation (which is a common occurrence), your subconscious will keep following the voice of your guide. In this way, your mind and body will still benefit from the session. The goals and benefits of both approaches are the same. It’s like climbing the Mount Everest -- You can go with or without your guide or Sherpa, but your aim will still be to reach the summit.
What are the benefits of Guided Meditation?
Guided meditation in particular (and meditation in general) is a wonderful way to manage stress. It helps your body and mind de-stress by entering a calm and relaxed state, thus promoting inner and outer wellness. The practice heals and repairs your body, on one hand, whilst also protecting it from fresh damage caused by anxiety, stress and tension. Other benefits include anger management, controlling panic attacks, depression, high blood pressure and sleeping disorders, clarity of mind, improved focus, memory enhancement, positive transformation, an enhanced state of happiness, dealing with grief and loneliness. For spiritual seekers, it helps connect with higher realms of consciousness, energy and attain the ultimate goal of enlightenment.
How long is each session & when will I feel the benefits?
Each session is for 45 minutes. You may choose the number of sessions according to your needs unless you are opting for a fixed duration Intensive Meditation Programme. Some people choose to start with daily sessions for the first 10 days and then taper them to weekly or bi-weekly sessions. Others take them in a concentrated, for example in a quarterly or annual retreat. And then are those who take them regularly on extended periods of time, just like one would do with a fitness class. Sometimes the frequency depends on the reason behind taking the sessions. You will notice the benefits of Guided Meditation right from your first session onwards. However, you must practice regularly to notice the positive impact it has on your life, health and wellbeing.
What are the types of Guided Meditation?
There are varied forms of Guided Meditation. You can choose whichever one you like as each will be beneficial to you. However, if you are meditating to address a specific problem, then please consult me and I will be happy to help you find the most suitable method.
How do I get started or deepen with my meditation practice and how are the Healing Hideaway Programs different from others?
The meditation retreat programs are designed by me to be fully customised, keeping an individual or group's needs in mind. I understand that the reason many people give up on their meditation practice, or never really manage to get into it is because they do not get the right guide who understands and works with their unique needs. That is what distinguishes this retreat program from all the others. Whether you are a meditation newbie or an experienced meditator, I design every retreat to create a deeper, sustainable practice for you -- one that also caters to your experience, personality, lifestyle and challenges. This is unlike other programs where one format applies to all participants.