Meditation

Meditation is as natural to the spirit as breathing is to the body. It is common to many traditions around the world and is practiced as a discipline that includes a dimension of faith and perseverance. In meditation, important questions arise in silence and one can develop wisdom and tolerance in listening over time. Meditation will help in self-knowledge and is intimately personal.

Case Study

Assessment will reveal Diane Brady's spiritual issues as well as her faith tradition, if any. The nurse can then explore the desire or willingness to use meditation with the patient. Some individuals will respond to meditation that ties into their specific religious traditions, such as Buddhism. Conservative Christians will likely respond more positively to the suggestion of meditation if the nurse utilizes terms such as meditative prayer or meditating on a favorite Scripture passage such as, "The Lord is my Shepherd."  Music can also be used to stimulate interest in meditation.

Forms of Meditation 

You might think of meditation as a great wheel: the wheel turns our whole life toward inner dialogue. Spokes of the wheel represent different forms of meditation (for example,  Buddhist, Christian, meditative prayer, and so forth). 

Process 

§         A desire to learn: Acknowledge there is something to learn and that the teacher at least for the present knows more. The discipline of listening in silence with a heart of desire is the only way to learn. 

§         Creating a space: Choose a quiet place. You may be able to light a candle at times or play a relaxing tape to settle into your space. Sit down comfortably, with your back straight. Close your eyes lightly. Keep spine straight. Sit still as possible. If sitting in a chair, find one that gives full back support.

§         Purpose of selecting a mantra: The purpose is threefold. First, it helps give a focus of attention on something in order to deal with distractions. Second, it leads to simplicity. Third, and most importantly, the saying of a mantra is an expression of faith. In the ideal, the teacher gives the student a mantra. Think of your spirit or higher power as the inner teacher/partner and allow your inner teacher to inspire your chosen mantra.

Practice believing that an inner guide is as real and actual as your spouse, partner or closest friend. Know that having discipline will allow you to talk over matters with yourself. Believe your concerns are heard. The meditation process will allow you to summon insights necessary to solve problems and improve your life. Answers will come from the silent depths within you. You might think of it as “practicing prayer of the heart” while uniting with human consciousness.

§         Breathing - A simple way to say a mantra is as you breathe in followed by breathing out.

• Proper breathing using the abdomen is highly recommended. It aids in relaxation and accompanies good posture. Breathe deeply, stay relaxed and alert. Slowly and interiorly, begin to say your mantra or prayer word. Listen to the word as you say it.

• Continue repeating the process gently and faithfully for the whole time of the meditation.

• Stay with the same word during the meditation from day to day.

• Return to the mantra as soon as you realize you have been distracted.

§         Finding the time

• People enter naturally. Aim for 25-30 minutes each morning and each evening. One should do    what  one can. Commitment will grow with continuing practice.

• The length of the meditation period is important. You have to give it sufficient time. It’s like baking bread. It needs time to rise. Twenty minutes is minimum. For most people, it takes that amount of time to just reach stillness and quiet.

§         Individual/group meditation

• The unity of meditation is important across all traditions. This becomes a perceptible reality as one meditates in a group. Also know whenever the group meditates one is never alone but united in meditation around the world. Communication is deep and does not occur through language or the body.

• It is helpful to meditate with others fairly regularly.  Groups give support and encourage people to keep practicing on their own.

§         Lessons learned: facilitating the goals of meditation

• Do not evaluate your meditation. You will get used to your distractions as traveling companions on the path of meditation. You will learn to let them come and go.

• Keep discipline simple not emphasizing the method too much because that is when a discipline can turn to technique. When you get too interested in technique, you forget the purpose of practice. Read continually on benefits of meditation. Talk and share resources and practice tips with others.

• In time, the fruits of your meditation will appear in your self, your life, and in all your relationships.

Resources

Dalai Lama, The. (1996). The good heart. Boston: Wisdom Publications. 

Freeman, L. (1987). Light within. NY: Darton, Longman, & Todd.   

Goldstein, J., & Kornfield, J. (1993). Seeking the hearth of wisdom. Boston: Shambala.

Goldman, D. (1985).  Emotional Intelligence. NY: Bantam.

Halstead, M. & Nilssen, H. (in press). Spiritual care of the older adult with cancer: An evidence-based review of spirituality and health. In D. Cope & A. Reb (Eds.), An evidence-based approach to the treatment and care of the older adult with cancer. Pittsburgh, PA:Oncology Nursing Society.

Hanh, T. N. (1987). Miracle of mindfulness. Boston: Beacon Press.

Hanh, T. N. (1990). Transformation and healing. Berkely, CA: Parallax Press.

Hanh, T. N. (1995). Peace is every step: The path of mindfulness in everyday life. NY: Bantam Books.

Holland, J. C. (1998). Textbook of Psycho-Oncology.  Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Kornfield, J. (1993). Path with a heart. NY: Bantam.

Main, J. (1980). Word into silence. London: Darton, Longman, & Todd.

Thera, N. (1962). The heart of Buddhist meditation. NY: Weiser.

DeCristofaro, S. (2005)