I remember the first time I went to a silent meditation retreat. I was told that after a couple of days my mind would calm right down and by the end of the retreat, on the 5 day, I would feel nothing short of peace and inner calm and tranquility.

By the end of the first day, I felt like I was going crazy. Racing thoughts of every awful thing that had ever happened to me, or every awful thing that I was sure was going to happen to me whipped through my mind like a whirling dervish.

To make things worse, my back and neck were pulsing with pain from sitting without back support. I couldn’t decide which was worse, the physical or the emotional pain I was feeling.

As I lay in bed that first night, my sobs felt embarrassingly loud, and I wondered what others must think. Everyone else seemed so blissful. The teacher kindly reassured me that it’s normal to have “crazy” thoughts surface, and with time, my mind would settle.

This same teacher radiated joy and inner calm from the same type of meditation he was teaching me, loving kindness meditation, and continued to offer deeply insightful teachings, but nothing he said was able to still my stallion of a mind, and my anxiety only got louder each day.

I sought meditation to find inner ease and release my thoughts, but it led to self-doubt as I labeled myself a “bad meditator” and felt hopeless about finding anything that calm my busy mind and ease my anxiety.

I left that meditation feeling like something was wrong with me, like I’d failed in some way, feeling like that meditation retreat hurt me more than it helped me.

It would take me almost twenty years to see the gifts that difficult meditation retreat gave me, and many more difficult ones after that.

What I learned from my own experiences was invaluable: that what works for one person does not work for every person.

Although I do believe that meditation holds the key to unlocking a deep well of inner peace, a truth that I’ve come to recognize is that meditation can look vastly different for everyone.

Meditation is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each person’s emotional landscape is unique, and as such, meditation must be tailored to suit individual needs and personalities.

Meditation can be an incredibly powerful tool for calming the mind and the nervous system, but it can also be a double-edged sword. For those who carry deep emotional wounds or have experienced trauma, diving headfirst into silence might unleash a torrent of suppressed emotions and the mind may be flooded with painful memories.

If this happens then it is often more beneficial to begin with brain rewiring, to get the brain and nervous system into a place of safety before embarking into one’s inner landscape. Other tools such as controlled breathing, and cognitive behavioural exercises can also help. Working 1:1 is the best way to determine what works best for each person.

Music can also evoke sadness or simply not resonate with some. A one-size-fits-all meditation approach with music can unintentionally amplify emotional distress. That’s why, for my clients, I provide meditations with and without music, empowering them to choose what suits them best.

By acknowledging these triggers and embracing a personalized approach, meditation can become a safer space for emotional exploration and healing.

When I started teaching meditation to my clients, I learned (from my own, and my client’s experiences) that different meditations work best for different people.

For example, guided meditation involves following verbal instructions to navigate the meditation process. The guidance may focus on relaxation, visualization, or achieving specific outcomes, such as healing the body as in the RYB healing light guided meditation.

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Mindfulness meditation, on the other hand, centres on cultivating present-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, the breath, and the environment, without judgment. It emphasizes observing and accepting experiences as they are, fostering greater self-awareness and a non-reactive mindset.

Unlike guided meditation, it doesn’t rely on external instructions but rather on cultivating an attentive and open state of mind, which, through repetition, can lead to a profound sense of inner peace and calm to your daily life.

Walking meditation can be a revelation for some. When sitting feels tough or meditation becomes daunting, walking provides movement and mindfulness. It grounds you in the present, fostering peace, clarity, and a deeper bond with nature when done outside. It’s an invigorating practice for both body and mind.

For some, beginning meditation in a lying down position may be more comfortable. Lying down can release physical tension and create a sense of safety, enabling individuals to open up emotionally without feeling overwhelmed.

Alternating between sitting and laying down works well for some, and it’s worth exploring what suits you best. The benefit to sitting up (or walking) is that it promotes alertness and prevents drowsiness. It can also support focus. It’s about finding that sweet spot to stay present and connected.

In my experience, the true power of meditation lies in its adaptability to suit everyone’s needs. Embracing this understanding allows us to create a nurturing space for healing and self-discovery.

Whether it’s baby steps or diving in headfirst, walking, or longer sessions with or without music, meditation can become a trusted ally on your journey to inner peace. No rush or comparison, just a beautiful, personal, transformative adventure that unfolds in its own time, and that’s the beauty of it.

The Rewire your Brain Transformational Coaching Program is drawn from many areas including neuroscience, behavioural therapy, neuro-linguistic programming, positive psychology, cognitive restructuring and appraisal, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, meditation and visualization. It was designed to help you get to the root of your condition.

Through doing various brain rewiring exercises (involving small movements and speech), and other daily habit changes through this program, new and healthier neurons can grow in your brain, supporting optimal function in all systems of the body, where growth, healing and recovery can take place.

The Rewire your Brain Transformational Coaching Program is drawn from many areas including neuroscience, behavioural therapy, neuro-linguistic programming, positive psychology, cognitive restructuring and appraisal, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, meditation and visualization. It was designed to help you get to the root of your condition.

Through doing various brain rewiring exercises (involving small movements and speech), and other daily habit changes through this program, new and healthier neurons can grow in your brain, supporting optimal function in all systems of the body, where growth, healing and recovery can take place.

Disclaimer

The content in this website is intended to be used for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment or advice Please consult a physical or other health care provider if you are unsure about whether you have any of the conditions described in this website.

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