This is the second in a series of articles addressing the question “How do I know if I am meditating correctly”. In the first, we recognised the truth of the ultimate answer: “When you do not need to ask”! And why do you not need to ask? Because you know from your own direct experience “This is it”. Let us hope we all reach to that stage one day...
However, in the interim, most of us are steadily learning and deepening our meditation practice and experience courtesy of a method – and trying to get the best out of that method.
So how do we know we are making progress with the method? How do we know we are doing it “right”? And of course, we need to address the even more basic question, should we even be questioning our meditation, is it helpful to analyse and evaluate meditation, or indeed is it as some would suggest actually unhelpful and to be avoided?
Thought for the day
Henceforth I travel toward Repose,
Where time rests in the Eternity of Time;
I go now into Silence.
Gospel of Mary Magdalene
Any meditation technique is a mind training.
Can you imagine any training where evaluation is not useful?
I would suggest to you meditation is no different. However, with meditation training, the real need is to understand when and how to evaluate your practice. Clearly, if you are sitting with meditation in mind, and all you are doing is wondering if you are doing it right, you will be powerfully detracting from the practice. If, while you are practicing, your are pro-occupied with thoughts such as “Am I relaxing properly?”, “Why can I not let go of my thoughts?”, and if in a group “Am I the only one unable to do this right? Bet everyone else is deep in the stillness.”; clearly all of this will be counterproductive.
So here is a very important point when it comes to our daily meditation practice. As we prepare to meditate, it is important to remember what technique we are planning to use. It is important to know that technique so well we do not need to think about it too much; we can just do it.
This is like learning to drive a car.
At first we are quite tentative.
We really need to think of each step.
Start the car. Check the mirrors. Indicate. Pull out.
Be very mindful.
However, as time goes on, we practice more, we drive more, and it begins to be more automatic.
We simply drive, rather than needing to think about every little step.
So it is with our meditation. Whenever we adopt a new technique, or a new element of a technique, we need to practice it regularly – usually for a few weeks – so we learn it well; so this new technique can be done almost automatically. Then the challenge remains to use the technique not like some spaced out zombie, but with mindfulness and awareness.
But the key point here is, we aim to start our meditation practice with a clear intention. Then, as we do enter into the practice, we aim let go of all hope and fear. We aim to let go of any intention to be judgemental or analytical of our practice while we are doing the practice. We aim to simply do the practice, to use the technique, and to trust in the moment that it will be beneficial.
However, once we finish a session of formal meditation practice, then that is an excellent time to reflect back, to recollect what seemed unhelpful in the practice and what seemed to be useful.
Then, based upon this reflection, we can resolve to drop off or avoid anything unhelpful, and of course, persevere, even enhance whatever was working.
So that is when to evaluate your meditation practice.
Not when you are doing it – that does not work.
Evaluate after your formal practice has concluded - that does work, and in my view, is necessary to fully develop a satisfying meditation practice.
This is what does work.
Next post, now we know when to carry out our evaluation; how to actually evaluate your meditation practice.
Meditation Teacher Training only weeks away - time for you late register types to book!
The June Meditation Retreat is nearly fully booked - still a couple of places available...
Meditation Teacher Training – Module 1: Mindfulness-based Stillness Meditation
11am Monday 12th to 3.30pm Friday 16th May, 2025
The Mindfulness-based Stillness Meditation module will cover all the essentials of how to present a meditation course in-person or online. (Yes we do help you with how to present online as we recognise so many people are requesting this for actual meditation programs). This module details a comprehensive approach to meditation that covers preparation, relaxation, concentration, mindfulness, awareness and stillness. An approach to meditation that goes to the very essence… Theory, delivery, session structures, promotion, finances, the special challenges and needs of online courses, and more…
Developed for those new to teaching meditation, and for those wanting to go further.
Both trainings provide wonderful peer support and networking...
Meditation Teacher Training – Module 2: Imagery
11am Saturday 1st to 3.30pm Wednesday 5th November, 2025 (inc Melbourne Cup holiday on the 4th for Victorians)
So many people in so many domains recommend the benefits of guided imagery. This training will position you to be able to offer your community something of great value – a reliable way to help your participants to better understand how their thinking minds and emotions work, and how they can mange them so much better – for their own good and the good of others. This training is also manual based and will enable you to deliver a much-needed program.
Of great personal value, this training is suitable for those new to teaching meditation, and for those wanting to go further. Highly experiential, it will provide a review of the first module that will have given more attention to the basics of how to develop, manage and deliver a meditation program or course. Here we will give some attention to theory, research, delivery, session structures, promotion, finances, the special challenges of online courses, but the emphasis will be on experiencing the key practices of imagery, and working on how to best present a course focusing upon guided imagery.
As a feature, ongoing mentorship and peer support is available through a specific group led by Ian, Ruth and Melissa for people who have completed one or more of our trainings.
Additional information is available via this link
How to apply for either or both Meditation Teacher Trainings:
1. The first step is to visit our website, download the Meditation Teacher Training application form and return it to our Retreat Manager, Mel Crow.
2. Mel will then arrange a short phone conversation to clarify what the trainings offer, discuss your needs, answer any questions and ensure the program is suitable for you.
3. Once accepted for the training(s), you pay a deposit or full fee to reserve your place.
4. Full payment is due 3 weeks prior to the commencement of your training.
Also, our Two Meditation Retreats in 2025:
MEDITATION in the FOREST June 2025
Join us for the very popular Meditation in the Forest 7 day meditation retreat.
Open to and suitable for both those newer to meditation, and those more experienced.
Relaxation, mindfulness, stillness and awareness.
Ruth and I will be joined by the wonderful Melissa Borich…
For your part? Simply make the time and come along…Relax. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Yarra Valley with its big trees, fresh air, beautiful grounds, the Little Yarra River, and sublime meditation sanctuary.
You can simply let go, and let be…
TIMES: Monday 2nd June starting at 11am to 2pm Friday 8th June (after lunch) 2025
VENUE: The Yarra Valley Living Centre, 55 Rayner Crt, Yarra Junction, Victoria, Australia
DETAILS and BOOKINGS: Visit our website: Click Here
DEEP NATURAL PEACE Long weekend mini retreat November 2025
Towards the end of the year, an ideal opportunity for some time out, some gentle introspection and reflection, letting go of the busyness and finishing the year on a meditative high.
TIMES: Friday 14th November starting at 11am to 3.30pm Sunday 16th November 2025
VENUE: The Yarra Valley Living Centre, 55 Rayner Crt, Yarra Junction, Victoria, Australia
DETAILS and BOOKINGS: Visit our website: Click Here
You can register for any of the residential programs through our website
