Q: I have never meditated or struggle to keep a practice. Can new people come?
A: Yes. New people and struggling meditators are welcome. In fact, we encourage you to come.
Q: I don’t know how to meditate. Can I get instructions?
A: If we see a new person or if requested we will give instructions on how to do mindfulness meditation.
Q: Can I come and meditate if I practice a different form of meditation?
A: Yes, we welcome all types of meditators. We value the importance of an in-person community of meditators.
Q: I am a Christian. Is it OK for Christians to meditate?
A: Christians are encouraged to start a meditation practice, also known as contemplation in the Christian tradition. It is a long standing form of prayer practiced by Jesus and the first generations of Christians. Specifically, the “prayer of quit” has a rich history in much of Christian tradition and was used by the desert fathers/ mothers/ monk and nuns of all ages, the Quakers, the Greek Orthodox Church, Catholics, and even some puritans.
Q: Are there any dangers of meditation?
A: Some people with certain kinds of depression, PTSD , and psychosis can have worse symptoms with meditation. If you have a mental health issue start slow and stop if symptoms increase. That being said, some people with these conditions are actually helped by mindfullness/ meditation.
Q: What about anxiety?
A: Mindfulness meditation is actually shown to be very beneficial for anxiety.
Q: Is meditation hard?
A: Meditation is much like fitness and exercise. If a person sticks with it, they will reap the benefits. Meditation will get easier the more you do it.
Q: I have arthritis, back pain and injured joints. Do I have to sit cross legged on the floor?
A: People with any back or joint issues are encouraged to sit in a chair or lie on the ground. One of the instructors, Jason Cornish, never sits on the ground as traditionally pictured.
Q: Do you provide meditation cushions?
A: We have several meditation cushions that people can use as well as plenty of soft chairs.
Q: When will I see the benefits of Meditation?
A: Most people feel calmer or less stressed after their first few days of practice.
Q: Do I have to convert to Buddhism to meditate/ is meditation Buddhist?
A: People of all faith traditions or no faith tradition can close their eyes and learn to focus their attention inward. Their is nothing inherently Buddhist about this. In addition, the base level exercise of focusing your mind on your breath and thoughts fits squarely in the secular realm of brain training with nothing religious about it. Objectively, meditation is good for the human brain.
