Meditation is an umbrella term that includes many different types and styles of practice. These practices come from different schools and traditions and often have different goals. For example, Vedic or Transcendental Meditation (TM) is different from Mindfulness Meditation, both in method and intention. Understanding these differences is important as the type of meditation you want or need will depend on what you are looking for and why. Unfortunately, many people offering meditation practices or classes don’t understand these differences so it is important to ask about the type of meditation being taught and its underlying approach.

Mindfulness meditation, also known as Vipassana meditation is the technique or method used to train the mind and access the state of mindfulness. Mindfulness meditation comes from the Theravada Buddhist tradition, but it is commonly taught in a secular and accessible way.

Mindfulness meditation trains the mind to become aware of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations as they arise, with a quality of non-reactive awareness. It is typically a formal practice, often done seated or lying down.

The word Vipassana means “insight” or “clear seeing.”

This practice develops clear seeing into:

• Emotional shifts

• Habitual reactions

• Mental patterns

• Our behaviour

The goal is awareness, not bliss. It is about meeting life as it is, and learning to be with our experience exactly as it is.

Rather than trying to fix, avoid, suppress, or control thoughts and emotions, mindfulness meditation invites us to gently and gradually turn toward our experience. We stop fighting reality.

Over time, instead of being driven by craving, resistance, and distraction, we learn to relate to life with clarity, equanimity, and freedom.

Ultimately, meditation cannot be fully understood through reading alone—it must be directly experienced!

While these two words are often used interchangeably, mindfulness and meditation are not the same thing. Mindfulness refers to the informal practice of being aware of the present moment, which can be applied at any time, day or night. It represents a way of being. In contrast, meditation is a specific technique or formal practice designed to cultivate mindfulness. Therefore mindfulness can be practiced outside of formal meditation and formal meditation enhances mindfulness.

The mindfulness meditation I offer is completely secular. Although mindfulness has a history of over 2,500 years and can be found in various forms within many major world religions, it is not inherently a religious practice. Individuals who are dedicated to their spiritual development or faith may find that mindfulness complements their beliefs. However, mindfulness can be practiced by people of all faiths and none.

Mindfulness is NOT about emptying your mind or tying to get rid of thoughts! When we begin to practice mindfulness meditation, we may notice that our minds are incredibly active, like “crazy monkey minds”, jumping from one activity to another. This is normal. What we are learning to do with mindfulness is to allow this, but to become less involved with the thoughts, which, over time, may result in them quietening down.

Racing thoughts: This is very common. Meditation does not stop thoughts; it helps us become aware of them. When you notice the mind racing, gently acknowledge it and return to the chosen anchor (such as the breath).

Physical discomfort: Sensations like aching, tingling, or restlessness often arise when we sit still. First, notice the sensation with curiosity. If pain becomes overwhelming, it is okay to adjust your posture mindfully.

Restlessness or agitation: The body and mind may feel unsettled, especially at the beginning. Rather than resisting this energy, notice how restlessness feels in the body and allow it to be present without acting on it.

“Nothing is happening”: This thought is a common sign of subtle awareness developing. Meditation is not about special experiences; learning to notice ordinary moments is part of the practice.

Boredom or impatience: These are mental states to be observed, not problems to eliminate. Notice how boredom or impatience shows up—what thoughts, sensations, or emotions are present?

Doubt: Doubting the practice or yourself is natural. Instead of pushing doubt away, acknowledge it as another experience arising in awareness.

Feeling too anxious: Meditation can sometimes make anxiety more noticeable. If this happens, ground attention in the body, keep sessions shorter, or practice with guidance. Always move at a pace that feels safe and supportive.

These challenges are not signs of failure—they are part of the practice. Meditation is about learning to meet whatever arises with awareness, kindness, and patience.

An eight-week course generally consists of eight classes, which are typically two hours long.  A day of mindfulness practice is also typically included between weeks six and seven. The two hour sessions follow a consistent pattern starting with a guided meditation practice followed by reflection on the experiences of the practice. Each session has a theme that is woven into the discussions. Near the end of each session, the home practices for the following week are given. Additionally, participants are provided with audio recordings for the main practices and are asked to practice for up to forty minutes each day. We then reflect on the home practices during the week.

Developing new habits takes time, and an eight-week course can provide the ideal space to cultivate these habits in a supportive environment. It is designed to establish a strong foundation and progressively build upon it each week, enabling you to develop a mindfulness practice that you can carry with you for life.

No. Mindfulness and therapy are distinct approaches to mental and emotional wellbeing.

Mindfulness encourages being present and observing thoughts and feelings without judgment, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. There is a considerable educational component to mindfulness. We can learn a lot more about ourselves and develop greater insight into the patterns we have developed over many years. It promotes calmness and clarity but may also reveal valuable insights or awaken unresolved emotions. These may require further exploration with a therapist.

In contrast, psychotherapy and counselling involve exploring underlying issues contributing to emotional distress. Various techniques, such as talk therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can provide insights and support. While mindfulness can complement psychotherapy, it is not a substitute.

Mindfulness can support people experiencing a whole range of physical and mental health conditions including anxiety and depression. Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is especially adapted for those experiencing severe depression. However, participating in a mindfulness course with severe anxiety or depression can be challenging and is generally not recommended. If you have recently received or are currently receiving treatment from a psychiatrist, psychotherapist or counsellor for an ongoing mental health problem, I would recommend that you obtain advice from your mental health professional before engaging with meditation practices at this time. Please feel free to contact me and we can discuss your situation and the support networks you have in place and explore how best to proceed with your mindfulness practice at an appropriate time.

No! It is a myth that mindfulness meditation must be practiced when sitting in the lotus position. Mindfulness can be practiced just as well whilst sitting in a chair, standing or even lying down.

Comfort while taking part in a mindfulness class is really important so loose clothing works best or whatever you feel most comfortable in.

Finding the right mindfulness teacher is crucial. There are a lot of people offering “meditation” and mindfulness-related services and adding the word “mindful” to all sorts of things without having had proper training in meditation or mindfulness meditation. Adding the word “mindful” to your service does not make you a qualified mindfulness meditation teacher!

Having proper training is essential because mindfulness practices can sometimes bring up difficult feelings and emotions, and so you need to be working with someone who understands these dynamics and is skilled at helping you to work with them. A good, and ethical, teacher should be transparent about their training and qualifications, and clearly include this information on their website or social media platforms.

Given how common trauma is, it is also important that they are trauma-informed. Teachers should also embody qualities such as authenticity, compassion, warmth, and respect. However, it is worth noting that while proper and accredited training is essential, it's equally important to find someone with whom you feel comfortable.

• What tradition or approach is this based on?

• What training have you completed?

• Do you have a personal meditation practice? (they should have!)

• How long have you had this personal meditation practice?

• Do you have supervision?

• How do you work with difficult experiences or trauma responses?

• Is this practice intended for relaxation or inquiry?