We’ve probably all been told as children to sit quietly. It wasn’t easy then, and it still isn’t. So why would we adults choose to sit and do nothing—to meditate? Of course we know that unplugging from our busyness and enjoying a time of quiet feels good. And while we may experience good feelings while we meditate, that isn’t the ultimate goal. In fact, ideally, we come to each sitting with only one intention—to sit and experience our mind. We simply sit. Honest, open sitting.
And while we sit, if we’re willing to allow everything that arises—every thought, every feeling, every sensation—without judging it, without explaining it, we begin to know what is going on in our mind. With that, we begin to see how what is in our mind always manifests in our life—perhaps physically, maybe emotionally or spiritually—and how our mind often undercuts the joy and clarity that we can have in our lives.
So if we’re willing to sit as still and as open as children, willing to experience our mind, we can decide how to use what we discover to live a more fulfilling life. Also, getting to know our mind is the first step in knowing ourselves, so that we can eventually love ourselves. And if we could do that, we might just have a chance at loving one another.
Individual sessions and classes are available for both beginning and practicing meditators.
What students say about meditation instruction at Hampton Roads Hypnosis & Meditation:
“Bekki’s meditation class gives you practical, simple tools that provide what can be fantastic results. Learning what meditation is, how to begin the practice, what to expect and what NOT to expect are all presented in a relaxing atmosphere of sharing and genuine care for the students and for mankind.”
“Bekki's mindfulness meditation class provided me with a gentle introduction to meditation. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning tools and techniques to better handle reactions to life events. Before I started practicing, my mind was running constantly with to-do lists, to-don't lists and an endless monologue. I couldn't imagine that I could experience a mind less busy. Bekki's instruction was gentle and encouraging - the class was invited to share thoughts and experiences, but there was no pressure to do so. I also appreciated how Bekki shared with the class her personal experiences with meditation, recognizing common fears and apprehensions to beginning a meditation practice. Since class ended, I still practice most days for 10 minutes each day. I have made it a priority and I look forward to learning more! Thanks Bekki!”
“Straightforward and usable information for a lifetime of practice.”
“Practical instruction, yes, but also a better understanding and deep appreciation of how meditation can have positive benefits for your body as well as your soul.”
“I laughed, I cried, .... a ‘must see’ for all ages!!”
"Learning to practice mindful meditation has made me feel better about who I am. Bekki teaches you to love yourself and take care of yourself, not in a selfish manner, but in a way to create a capability of loving and having compassion for everyone. The practice has also helped my wife and me decrease the amount of stupid arguments. We are both able to pull each other back to what is really important and leave behind what is not. Who couldn't do with less arguments? Mindful meditation has also significantly improved my sleeping. I stabilize my mind and do not have to think about daily worries while lying in bed."
Click on each entry in this FAQ list to learn more about meditation:So if we’re not trying to shut off our minds, what are we trying to do?
And while we sit, if we’re willing to allow everything that arises—every thought, every feeling, every sensation—without judging it, without explaining it, we begin to know what is going on in our mind. With that, we begin to see how what is in our mind always manifests in our life—perhaps physically, maybe emotionally or spiritually—and how our mind often undercuts the joy and clarity that we can have in our lives.
So if we’re willing to sit as still and as open as children, willing to experience our mind, we can decide how to use what we discover to live a more fulfilling life. Also, getting to know our mind is the first step in knowing ourselves, so that we can eventually love ourselves. And if we could do that, we might just have a chance at loving one another.
Individual sessions and classes are available for both beginning and practicing meditators.
What students say about meditation instruction at Hampton Roads Hypnosis & Meditation:
“Bekki’s meditation class gives you practical, simple tools that provide what can be fantastic results. Learning what meditation is, how to begin the practice, what to expect and what NOT to expect are all presented in a relaxing atmosphere of sharing and genuine care for the students and for mankind.”
“Bekki's mindfulness meditation class provided me with a gentle introduction to meditation. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning tools and techniques to better handle reactions to life events. Before I started practicing, my mind was running constantly with to-do lists, to-don't lists and an endless monologue. I couldn't imagine that I could experience a mind less busy. Bekki's instruction was gentle and encouraging - the class was invited to share thoughts and experiences, but there was no pressure to do so. I also appreciated how Bekki shared with the class her personal experiences with meditation, recognizing common fears and apprehensions to beginning a meditation practice. Since class ended, I still practice most days for 10 minutes each day. I have made it a priority and I look forward to learning more! Thanks Bekki!”
“Straightforward and usable information for a lifetime of practice.”
“Practical instruction, yes, but also a better understanding and deep appreciation of how meditation can have positive benefits for your body as well as your soul.”
“I laughed, I cried, .... a ‘must see’ for all ages!!”
"Learning to practice mindful meditation has made me feel better about who I am. Bekki teaches you to love yourself and take care of yourself, not in a selfish manner, but in a way to create a capability of loving and having compassion for everyone. The practice has also helped my wife and me decrease the amount of stupid arguments. We are both able to pull each other back to what is really important and leave behind what is not. Who couldn't do with less arguments? Mindful meditation has also significantly improved my sleeping. I stabilize my mind and do not have to think about daily worries while lying in bed."
Click on each entry in this FAQ list to learn more about meditation:
I know that I won’t be able to shut off my mind.
We all come to meditation with this fear. It’s impossible to shut off our minds, so I guarantee you that whenever you’re sitting with others during meditation, you’re sitting with people, including myself, who are also not shutting off their minds. In fact, we don’t meditate to shut off our minds; we meditate to experience our minds, so you’ll fit right in.
So if we’re not trying to shut off our minds, what are we trying to do?
For one, we’re trying to provide a break for our minds from the “chatter” that it incessantly carries out. That means that we are developing a practice of sitting that allows the mental dialogue that we spin when we experience something to relax for a bit (by mental dialogue I mean the commenting that our mind does silently for every experience, comments such as, “I know I’m going to be late. Why did I wear this? Is she looking at me funny? I’m hungry. That’s a pretty color for a house”). Just as our bodies perform better after given rest, so do our minds.
The main reason we meditate, however, is to get to know our minds so that we can get to know ourselves as we truly are—no pretending.
The main reason we meditate, however, is to get to know our minds so that we can get to know ourselves as we truly are—no pretending.
What if I can’t sit cross-legged on the floor?
There’s no rule about sitting cross-legged during meditation, or about sitting on the floor at all. A chair is fine, if you prefer. I always have chairs and cushions available.
Good posture is what is essential. We’ll review the basics of sitting during each session.
Good posture is what is essential. We’ll review the basics of sitting during each session.
I’m not sure that my religion allows meditation.
Everybody must decide if meditation is for them, of course. It’s true that meditation has been practiced in different ways by people of different faiths for thousands of years. But meditation, by nature, does not adhere to any particular religious doctrine. You meditate simply to get to know yourself, and to love and respect yourself.
How do I prepare for a session?
Making the time to sit is the most important thing. It’s more beneficial to sit quietly for a few minutes each day than to try to squeeze a long session in every now and again. So finding a quiet spot and just doing it is great. Some people find that limiting caffeine intake prior to sitting is beneficial.
How is meditation different from hypnosis?
Meditation is a tool, a technique for getting to know yourself. So is hypnosis. They both share relaxation as part of the experience, but there are differences. For instance, when you come to meditation, your desire is to experience your mind—whatever your mind is like on the day that you’re meditating. When you come to a hypnosis session you are also open to experiencing your mind, but you come with a specific goal—to achieve a specific outcome, such as to conquer a fear of public speaking.
Both techniques involve a recognition that when we quiet the conscious mind (the one that “chatters” practically non-stop) that we can focus on the truth of ourselves, but the means to achieve that quiet are different in the two techniques.
I find it interesting that Dr. Oz said during a recent Oprah show (about overcoming habits and addictions): “Hypnosis and mindful meditation are extremely effective. And unlike other methods, their results last a lifetime.”
Both techniques involve a recognition that when we quiet the conscious mind (the one that “chatters” practically non-stop) that we can focus on the truth of ourselves, but the means to achieve that quiet are different in the two techniques.
I find it interesting that Dr. Oz said during a recent Oprah show (about overcoming habits and addictions): “Hypnosis and mindful meditation are extremely effective. And unlike other methods, their results last a lifetime.”
Check out our event schedule, as well, for our new and ongoing meditation programs.