NeuroMeditation
Four meditation styles, matched to client goals, with a protocol for each
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Despite the obvious appeal and increased accessibility of meditation training with programs such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), it remains a significant challenge for many individuals to maintain a consistent practice (Brandmeyer & Delorme, 2013). Early meditators often complain that they do not know if they are “doing it right,” or give up before realizing any significant benefits. By providing the meditator with immediate feedback on their brainwave state, a neurotherapist can help define and refine the process, potentially increasing motivation, interest, and impact.
We explore four different styles of meditation practice, distinguished by the role of attention, intention, brainwave states, and the brain regions involved: Focused Attention, Open Monitoring, Automatic Self-Transcending, and Loving-Kindness/Compassion (Cahn & Polich, 2006; Lutz et al., 2004). With this information we can identify which practices are best suited to particular goals (Tarrant, 2016), linking each style of meditation to specific mental health concerns as a therapeutic intervention.
Attendees learn how to select a meditation style based on a client’s presenting concerns, and take away a host of practical strategies for approaching each of the meditative styles. You will receive standard and sLORETA NeuroMeditation protocols for each meditation style and have opportunities to practise with each one, as well as practise using HRV biofeedback alongside certain meditative techniques. The approaches taught here can be used immediately to achieve deeper states of meditation, or as a treatment intervention for conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, or addictions.
Itinerary
Day 1 Introductory evening session
- 6:30 – 9:30 PMIntroduction to the NeuroMeditation workshop: getting the equipment up and running; a NeuroMeditation demonstration by Jeff Tarrant
Day 2 ADHD and anxiety
- 9:00 – 10:00Your brain on meditation (1 CE): meditation changes the brain; the four types of meditative practice; matching meditation with mental health; choosing a NeuroMeditation style (self-assessment)
- 10:00 – 1:00ADHD — strategies to increase focus and self-monitoring (3 CEs): the unfocused brain; focused attention meditation (tips, guided practice, NeuroMeditation protocols and practice); breathing pacers and HRV protocols and practice
- 1:00 – 2:00Lunch
- 2:00 – 5:00Anxiety — strategies to manage judgment and over-thinking (3 CEs): anxiety and stress, the link; thoughts are not facts (automatic pilot, the mindfulness wedge); challenging the storyteller (observe and challenge, cognitive distortions, staying in the present); the anxious brain; open monitoring meditation, mindfulness in nature (virtual reality), Mandalynth, and RSA breathing
Day 3 Depression, OCD, and personalizing protocols
- 9:00 – 11:00Depression — strategies to shift perspective (2 CEs): the depressed brain; accessing positive emotions (appreciation, gratitude); deepening the positive (taking in the good); loving-kindness and compassion meditations, with protocols and practice
- 11:00 – 1:00OCD and personality disorders — strategies to quiet the mind (2 CEs): the brain and self-talk; automatic self-transcending meditations (transcendental meditation, Zen, open focus); entrain the brain to increase alpha; time in nature; protocols and practice
- 1:00 – 2:00Lunch
- 2:00 – 4:00Personalizing NeuroMeditation protocols (2 CEs): using Z-Builder for NeuroMeditation; creating individualized protocols; practice
- 4:00 – 5:00Final comments (1 CE): questions and concerns; final practicum