Hey, is it becoming a fad, or a useful tool in psychotherapy, or both? Perhaps both. That may be the conclusion of the article, Lotus Therapy, linked from the front page of the NYT this morning. Mindfulness Meditation is catching on in a big way all over the planet, so why not shorten it to MindfulMed?
I keep trying it from time to time but that’s probably not enough. Oh, if I only had a brain! But that’s the idea: don’t have one, get rid of that left brain. Easier said than done, and how can I get anything done if I do? Well, again, that’s the idea: stop DOING things. Naw, that’s not it either. Too much analysis and not enough doing IT. OK, ten minutes a day for a start? If I can remember…..
Tags: fad, left brain, lotus, Meditation, nytimes, psychotherapy
10 comments
Comments feed for this article
Trackback link
http://mcseavey.org/blog/http:/mcseavey.org/blog/meditation/mindfulmed/trackback/
May 28, 2008 at 7:08 am
Kimberly Post Rowe
Hey Mardé, I have a short meditation recorded on my website…you could download it, listen to it daily, and presto! Now you have a meditation practice!
http://fiveseeds.org/downloads.htm
May 28, 2008 at 8:17 am
Mardé
Thanks, Kimberly. Perhaps I’ll check that out.
May 28, 2008 at 9:37 am
barbara
Hello Mardé,
I for one have been a witness to what Buddist meditation/paryers can do. I’am not Buddist but my Mom is and I can tell you of the GOOD that it does for her. Going for the effects against stress, it is wonderful. She is healthy & very sereine.
Don’t you find that it’s very hard thing to ask of a Western; stop DOING?? Darn hard; culture says we do, so we are.
Wishing you peace also.
May 28, 2008 at 11:39 am
Mardé
Hello Barbara,
That’s great that your Mom really got into Buddhist meditation/prayers and that it has been good for her. Whether I could ever do that is questionable. Yes, we Westerners have a “doing” culture. I’ve tried it several times but have never been able to stick with it. Perhaps I’ll take a look at the practice Kimberly has to offer. What do I have to lose?
May 29, 2008 at 7:45 am
Aileni Noyle
Do you remember Transcendental Meditation, Marde? We spent money on that… it just depressed me more.
My form of ‘meditation’ is writing. Don’t do nearly enough of it these days.
May 29, 2008 at 7:51 am
Mardé
Yes, Aileni, I remember the Transcendental Meditation days, or craze, with that guru named Maharishia Mahesh Yogi, if I spelled that right. I of course tried that, but don’t remember much about it now. Whether it worked or not? Doubt it. And yes, writing is good fun. I like to do that too — haven’t done enough lately. Thanks for the comment.
May 29, 2008 at 8:24 am
Kimberly Post Rowe
Well, meditation is hardly a fad and there are studies out there that support the benefits…including a study by Dr. Herbert Benson (Harvard et al) in 2003 that showed TM’s benefits for children as well.
“In 2003, a clinical trial examining the impact of Transcendental Meditation (TM) on school behavior in youth, found that study participants “exhibited a decrease in absentee periods, rule infractions, and suspension days due to behavior-related problems.” These findings were supported by previous studies using TM techniques with American adults, in which reductions in aggression, anxiety, and stress-related physical effects such as elevated cortisol levels and blood pressure were measured.”
I can add citations if you’d like. ;-P
May 29, 2008 at 8:30 am
Mardé
No, that’s fine, Kimberly. Yes, I know there are studies and I do agree with you that it can be very helpful. But of course it has to be done right, taken seriously, etc. I did download the practice session you recommended for me and it was very nice. I went through it last evening but there were too many distractions at the time. I have saved it in my RealPlayer library. Thanks! Of course, it’s up to me what I do with it.
Time will tell like it does everything else. 
May 29, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Land Projects UK
Meditation is a good medicine and effective to other people. Thanks for sharing about Lotus Therapy, I’ll check out and maybe recommend to some of my friends who practicing meditation.
May 31, 2008 at 7:27 am
Mardé
Thanks, Land Projects UK. It takes consistency.