Iain McCormick – Executive Coaching Centre, Auckland. M 021575449
Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of meditation, including sleep and health improvements and positive effects on mood. However, many people stop meditating, and up to 30% drop out of mindfulness based interventions like Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. What makes people move away from meditation? (see the reference below).
Recent research from the University of Toronto indicates that the drawbacks of meditation are:
Time demands of undertaking regular meditation – 30%
The learning curve such as slow progress with meditation and frustration – 23%
Negative emotional and psychological outcomes such as anxiety, boredom and discomfort – 16%
Social and interpersonal drawbacks – such as disconnection with non-meditations – 11%
Stressful personal change disrupting meditation – 9%
Negative health outcomes such as sleep disturbances – 9%
Adverse events – 2%.
In March next year a group of experienced meditators are running a short retreat for people who have stopped meditation but want to restart. This is not a formal training course, but a gathering of like-minded people who want to share their experience, expertise and energy. The programme starts on a Friday evening 29 March 2019 and continues over Saturday and Sunday. It takes place in the beautifully restful St Francis Retreat Centre, Mt Roskill, Auckland. The Centre allows everyone to have a single room for the retreat. It is an opportunity to enter a focused and peaceful learning environment, away from the external pressures of our busy lives. Sessions will include: why we stop our meditation practice, the natural state of our minds plus plenty of time to regain mindfulness practice. Other sessions will include a review of current research, applied discussions, early morning Tai Chi lessons and periods of both silent and of walking meditation.
Find a friend that could be interested in restarting their mindfulness practice, forward them this flyer, and invite them to join you next March! For further information or an early registration please contact Stewart Forsyth – stewart@fxc.co.nz or 021 392 667. Places are strictly limited due to the size of the venue.