FAQ Meditation

Posted on November 26, 2018 by Susan Kapatoes, One of Thousands of Health and Fitness Coaches on Noomii.

FAQ Meditation

Whether you are new to meditating or a seasoned practitioner, I have summarized a list of commonly asked question about meditation. If you think of other questions that are not listed here, please contact me directly and I’ll be happy to answer them for you.

Can you customize a meditation for me?

- Yes, I can customize a meditation to meet your specific needs. For example, if you are feeling stuck and need help moving forward, I will create a guided meditation for your particular situation so that you may keep progressing and evolving with your meditation experience.

How do I know if I am progressing?

- You know you are progressing if there are behaviors in your life that have changed in a positive way due to meditating. For example, if one of your goals is to develop stronger will power, you may find that you are able to stand up for yourself in situations where you could not before.

Where is the best place to meditate in my house?

- If you are meditating at home, I recommend that you designate a room specifically for meditation. The space should be quiet, clean, and uncluttered with minimal distractions. Over time, the ambiance of your meditation room will feel peaceful and become a positive reinforcement for your practice.

Is it okay if I fall asleep while meditating?

- There might be times when you fall asleep while meditating. Occasionally, this is okay as your body is needing rest at that moment. However, the goal of meditation is not to fall asleep but to remain in a calm focus. In this state, your conscious mind and subconscious mind are forming a bridge which allows important information to come through. You may get a sudden insight to a long standing issue you’ve been facing, and you need to be awake in order to process it.

Can you meditate while walking?

- A walking meditation can be done and is pleasant to do. When you are walking, the goal is to simply be in-the-moment, observing your surroundings and enjoying the scenery without making judgements or forming emotional attachments to what you are experiencing. This is the art of mindfulness. You are being an unconditional observer within your environment, whether it be listening to the birds chirping, noticing the scent of a flower, or feeling a gentle breeze upon your skin.

Can meditation help with studying?

- Meditation can definitely help a person concentrate better and have more mental focus. Studies have shown that people who meditate on a regular basis have unique brainwave patterns which are dominated by the Alpha and Theta frequencies. Alpha and Theta brainwave frequencies are associated with the ability to maintain a calm focus which is ideal when you want to study for an exam.

Can meditation help with weight loss?

- Yes, meditation is a great tool for weight loss because it helps the body decrease the cortisol levels in our body, minimizing your desire to binge and overeat. Cortisol is a hormone that is released when we are under stress. It plays a beneficial role in regulating our metabolism, but when we experience chronic stress, our cortisol levels become too high which is a significant factor in weight gain. Please read my blog, How Meditation Helps with Weight Loss, for more information on this topic.

Do you have to breathe “in-through-your-nose” and “out-through-your-mouth” for meditation to be beneficial?

- Focusing on your breath will help to keep your mind from wandering. It is not necessary to inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth to obtain this benefit. You can certainly breathe this way if it is more helpful for you, but the key is AWARENESS. Becoming aware of your breathing helps to cultivate a single-minded focus which helps to keep distracting thoughts from entering your consciousness.

Is it better to meditate in the morning or night?

- You can meditate in the morning or night depending upon your preference. I personally prefer the morning as I am more awake and rested, and I am creating a positive tone for the rest of my day. Some people prefer meditating before bedtime as it helps them to sleep better. It is a matter of choice depending upon what you would like to accomplish with your meditation.

When meditating and your mind gets in the way, how would one handle any thoughts that run through their mind?

- Having thoughts arise in the mind is a common occurrence while meditating. When you notice that your mind is being distracted by unwanted thoughts, bring your attention back to your breath. Keep focusing on your breath with each inhale and exhale. It is a good practice to simply observe your thoughts without judging or becoming attached to them. Just allow them to be and flow through you. With consistent meditation practice, you will notice that your mental chatter quiets down and becomes less and less of an influence.

Can I use meditation to help reach my goals?

- Yes, during your meditations you can visualize the goal that you would like to accomplish. This technique of visualization is based on the Law of Attraction which is a proactive form of meditation. For more information, read this great article by the Chopra Center, How to Use Meditation to Visualize Your Goals.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION?

- Better Coping Skills: When you meditate on a regular basis, you are better able to cope with the anxiety of everyday living and remain calmer during stressful situations. The ability to handle your emotional responses to daily stressors is improved.

- More Self Awareness: You will be able to recognize and stop negative thought patterns that are sabotaging your personal growth before they get out-of-control.

- Keener Intuition: Intuitive insights are able to come forth during your waking consciousness much more easily and guide you towards wiser decisions.

- More Joy: You will naturally experience more joy in your life because meditation opens your heart and aligns you with your true, authentic self. When you open your heart, you are touching the core essence of your being which is imbued with love, appreciation, kindness, and gratitude.