Season Two, Episode Twelve: Meditation for Psychological Well-Being

Peace, Love, and Psychology

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This episode is an in-depth discussion of meditation as it is specifically used in Behavioral Health settings to produce positive effects on psychological well-being. First, we discuss what meditation is, starting with a good definition: that it is a practice in which an individual uses a technique to train attention and awareness, to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state, and to attain spiritual enlightenment. We break down these components of meditation and explain how meditation in psychological treatment focuses on the initial elements of this definition. We will contrast the meditation used in behavioral health from the kind that is designed for spiritual enlightenment.
Meditating for psychological well-being can be done by a wide range of people from different backgrounds. It does not require adopting any particular spiritual, religious, or cultural belief system. We explore the three general categories of meditation practices based on the type of focus used. We also distinguish meditation from a couple of related practices that might produce meditative states, but which are not the same as a pure meditation practice that yields the most direct benefits for our mental health.
Second, we explore why meditation is often a component of mind-body psychological approaches. We discuss a brief overview of the many benefits of meditation. We also address some of the most common questions and concerns people bring up in the clinic related to the practice of meditation, including some of the reasons people why some people try meditating but are not able to stick with it long enough to experience any benefit from it.
Third, we will describe a simple and accessible technique for meditating that anyone can practice which is designed to produce numerous benefits for psychological health. Specific instructions are given regarding: what to focus on, how to sit, what to wear, what to do with your hands, and how to clear the mind and regain focus. By implementing this simple and practical technique, anyone can begin a meditation practice and begin to experience increased ability to pay attention, improved ability to focus our awareness, greater mental clarity, and emotional calmness.
In this episode, we will learn a technique for meditation that is a simple and practical way for anyone to gain the many psychological benefits associated with a regular meditation practice.

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Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.
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