Posted by Dory on September 9, 2007, at 18:07:28
In reply to Major crisis of faith with my therapist, posted by widget on September 9, 2007, at 8:12:46
well, there are many styles of meditation..and maybe somebody has already said this... but meditation doesn't have to be done in one "right" way. Yoga classes practice more of a relaxation style, Buddhists use it as a religious one. i follow a Shambhala style which is nonreligious but still addresses the issues found in the Buddhist practice.
The thing is, most meditation temples and centers are free or very inexpensive. Shambhala centers offer training weekends which base their fee on what someone can afford.
i don't understand his rigidity around this at all. It's ironic really. Talk to him about trying other styles. IMO learning to meditate is more important than the style or method. i do think having a good instructor is important.
i didn;t check out the info regarding "brainwashing"... oh my. i can't fathom that. It's no more like brainwashing than psychoanalysis is. i learned to sit quietly with myself and to try to allow thoughts to rise and pass without engaging them.. without judging them. i learned about trying to love one's self and to have compassion for others.
i'll leave that alone though, it would trash your thread.
i'll also tell you that i found myself shaken by meditation at some points. That looking into my own mind frightened me. It's hard. i did a weekend retreat which meant 8 hrs a day for two days. Intense. Felt afraid, mad, sad, happy, and at one point i was sure they were all a cult. In the talk afterwards i discovered other people felt some of the same things and some different things... some people felt sexual. Like i said very much like psychoanalysis... things float up in a silent free association.
i'm sorry. i've ranted on.
Talk to your T. If he meditates then he is probably more open about the styles than he appeared to you. And, in the end, if you feel uncomfortable then don't do it. i doubt he'll be upset or disappointed. And as another idea, maybe try hatha yoga which concentrates on breathing. There is usually a very brief meditation or guided visualization at the end.
sorry for being so long winded.
poster:Dory
thread:781757
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20070904/msgs/781870.html