Meditation Coaching Demo Series 2

In this second installment of my “Meditation Coaching Demo” series, I’m sharing 2 sessions from meditators who have distinctly different practices. Dave is using a mindfulness-based practice which he also applies in his Aikido practice and interactions at work. Hila has a “mantra” based practice and uses guided meditation and the repetition of a mantra for the basic preparation of her daily Nia routine. I think you will gain a lot from these 2 different meditation approaches in this installment of my Meditation Coaching Demo Series.

Meditation Coaching Demonstration #3 – Dave Jaques

Background: Dave has been practicing meditation for some time but with no formal guidance from a teacher. His meditation practice consists of mainly sitting for 10 to 15 min. in the mornings, about 3 times per week. His primary object of observation in his practice is the breath, but also moving to and observing secondary objects like thoughts when necessary.

Dave is also a long time Aikido practitioner and applies a lot of awareness training in his practice. He does this by regulating his inner state with breathing exercises and being aware of his training partner’s energetic state through observation, and by being aware of his surrounding environment.

Dave applies his meditation to his workplace by bringing the same practices to work with the people he works with, as well as in his work environment. Furthermore, anytime Dave feels a bit scattered or confused he uses meditation to reconnect with himself in the moment and as a way to gain more clarity.

In this interview, I assess Dave’s practice and then give him the following

Continue to observe closely the precise physical sensation in the breath (his primary object of observation in his practice)
Notice the distinction between physical experiences and non-physical (or mental) experiences
Notice the cause and effect connection between experiences
Take care not to manipulate your breathing, but rather just be mindful of how it is, and how it changes

Meditation Coaching Demonstration #4 – Hila Gozani

Background: Hila is a teacher of Nia dance and movement and has been practicing awareness training for over 10 years. She’s been practicing meditation on her own for some time but with no formal study with a teacher.

Hila has a daily morning meditation routine that begins with listening to a short pre-recorded teaching of Deepak Chopra, followed by affirmations, then moving into an extended “mantra” practice. This practice will lead Hila into deeper states of calmness and she describes experiencing one-pointed focus, Joy, tranquility, and calmness.

When she finishes practice Hila begins her movement routine starting with gentle movements on the ground, then gradually moving to the standing position and moving with more expression. All the while being mindful of her body and the inner process of the movement. Hila has been doing this daily for maybe 8-10 years.

In this interview, I assess Hila’s practice I explain the difference between concentration-based meditation and mindfulness-based meditation. I suggest that Hila “installs” an intentional mindfulness-based meditation into her daily routine consisting of following the breath, body scan, and open awareness.

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