Meditation Therapy Definition
Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years. Today, you can find meditation classes just about anywhere, from the local gym to sun-warmed city parks on Saturday mornings. But what is meditation therapy, as opposed to the practice of meditation?
Meditation is a mental exercise that helps us heighten our sense of awareness and focus our attention. Meditation therapy is a technique that combines the benefits of meditation with the benefits of a professionally-led therapy meeting in a safe and comfortable setting.
Types of Meditation Therapy
People who practice meditation or attend meditation therapy may have many different goals. And there are different types of meditation therapy to help meet those varying goals. Some of the most common types of meditation therapy include:
- Mindfulness meditation
- Spiritual meditation
- Movement meditation
- Mantra meditation
- Transcendental meditation
Two that we see depicted the most are mantra and movement meditation, whether or not we realize it at the time. Mantra meditation involves focusing on one specific word or phrase. Movement meditation involves walking or exercising to promote inner peace.
For those attending meditation therapy sessions as part of an addiction recovery program, mindfulness training is typically the most common method. Practicing mindfulness can help us regulate our emotions, decrease the severity of negative emotions, focus, and observe.
Examples of Meditation Therapy in Practice
Meditation is more flexible than it sounds. You do not have to chant, close your eyes, or change your clothes to meditate. Whether at home or in the comfort of an accredited recovery center, there are only three requirements for traditional meditation:
- A quiet space with limited or no distractions
- A comfortable position, whether lying down, sitting, walking, or otherwise
- Something to focus on, like positive thoughts, a specific word or phrase, an object in the room, or the pattern of your breathing
- An open mind; there should be no shame, blame, or judgment.
And mindfulness meditation is even simpler than many other methods. Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on and increasing our awareness of what we are feeling and sensing at the moment. The goal is to recognize these things without judging or interpreting them.
This increased focus and awareness help us put space between ourselves and our reactions. And when we are driven to abuse drugs or alcohol out of feelings of frustration, anger, anxiety, or loneliness, this space gives us the time we need to choose a healthier reaction or coping mechanism.