StillMind.net Frequently asked questions

What is meditation?

In our daily lives we are bombarded with an amazing amount of sensory information.  No matter what we are doing, we are engaged in loads of mental activity, constantly absorbing and sorting.  Life can seem like endless movement, in both the physical and mental sense.  Meditation is taking away all of that, providing you stress relief, relaxation techniques, and allowing you to be in a simplified space away from the stimulation of the world.  Practicing in this way gives us time to really get to know ourselves, and to tap into the inherent, inborn wisdom that is in all of us.  The experience is different for everyone, but the benefits are many, and universal in nature.

Is meditation for me?

Anyone can benefit from the practice of meditation, and no experience is necessary.  Meditation is quite simply concentrating on a point of focus, and making the commitment to return to that point of focus when your mind drifts.  The fact that your mind wanders in meditation is a human condition, experienced by everyone, so your wandering mind doesn't disqualify you from meditating.  On the contrary, we practice meditation to tame what we call the monkey mind.  Meditation is an exercise for the mind, and like any exercise, to reap the most benefit, it's best to practice regularly.  Establishing an ongoing, daily practice is the foremost goal of our StillMind.net 30-Day Course.

Why take a meditation course by email?

The 30-Day Course offered by StillMind.net is the product of many years of experience in meditation instruction and practice.  While the dynamics of group settings, such as weekend workshops, retreats, or regular classes are helpful, meditation is a very personal experience.  Ultimately it is an exploration of the self.  Often, beginning or intermediate students become frustrated with the process, and either quit, or step away from meditation for long periods of time.  By keeping meditators engaged and inspired for 30 consecutive days, the course creates a zone of comfort in your own space, and the meditative experience becomes a regular, daily habit, like brushing your teeth.  The emphasis that the course places on various techniques from different traditions, honors the cultural, spiritual, and psychological differences in each individual.  Too often, in practicing a particular technique, the beginning student feels like a square peg being forced into a round hole, so to speak, when simply practicing a different technique is all that's needed to clear the path to the next level.  With its varied approach, the StillMind.net 30-Day Course gives participants a virtual toolbox of methods to deal with the different life situations and psychological makeup of each individual. 

Is meditation a religion?

No.  You can use meditation with any religion or no religion, and still experience its full benefits.  In fact, meditation has a way of crossing religious or cultural boundaries.

Is meditation like being in a trance or hypnotized?

Though meditation can be an incredible sleep aid, it is really about being fully present and awake in each moment, so one might say that it is the opposite of being in a trance-like state or asleep or hypnotized.  It's about being in balance between the two states of relaxation and alertness, perfectly in tune with what's happening in the present, not stuck in the past, or yearning for the future.

How long does it take?

In the beginning, it's good to start out meditating for 5 to 10 minutes, and build on that amount of time.  The experience is different for everyone.  While some people extend their time in meditation quickly, others do not.  It's important to note that the quality and regularity of your meditations is much more important than the length of time, and that short meditations can be quite effective.

Do I have to sit cross-legged on the floor?

No.  You may sit in a chair or on a couch, but it is important to keep the spine straight and upright.  Meditation is about being awake and alert, so lying down or sinking into a chair or couch are not conducive.  If it's possible and comfortable for you, sitting on the floor is encouraged, because it provides a good, stable base.

Why are there so many meditation techniques?

Different techniques produce different results.  Some techniques tend to work better with certain people and with certain situations, while others don't.  The results of the different techniques are dependent upon the environment, and the emotional and psychological makeup of the individual, and these factors can change daily, even hourly.  For instance, one day a particular technique might activate your relaxation response, when the next day, it won't.  How a technique works is really a matter of who you are in that particular moment, as we are all constantly changing.  The key is to experiment with various techniques, so you can find the ones that work for you and your various life conditions and circumstances.  With practice, you learn what the effects of the different techniques will be, so you can use them accordingly.  Our 30-Day Course provides a veritable "toolbox" of techniques from which to draw, and the knowledge to use them correctly.  

I normally use exercise for stress relief.  How does meditation compare?

Exercise can be great for stress relief, and it can be very relaxing, but exercise doesn't go to the source of your stress.  Our stress relief meditations can release tension and stress at its root by affecting long-term behavior change.  It doesn't happen overnight, but slowly the practitioner starts to use different approaches to life problems, and therefore, sees different, better results in everyday life.  In a way, effective stress management, relaxation, and deep sleep are simply nice side effects of the process.

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