It’s natural to be nervous when you are trying something different. There are all sorts of preconceptions attached to the idea of meditation and as a result the thought of attending an all-day workshop to learn a new method can be daunting.
So let’s deal with some of those misconceptions and throw some light on what actually happens if you come and learn Mind Calm at a workshop with me.
First of all, Mind Calm has been specially developed by Sandy Newbigging for ordinary people like you and me. Our approach is up-to-date and comfortable. We sit on chairs and there is no chanting, nothing tricky to learn and no beliefs to adopt.There is nothing overtly spiritual about Mind Calm and you are not likely to feel uncomfortable if you are easily spooked by anything alternative or holistic.
When you enter the room it looks very similar to any other kind of course you might attend. In fact. clients often look at the flipchart and assume that they are going to have to take notes and remember lots of facts. That couldn’t be further from the truth: yes, I use a flipchart to help to reinforce some of what I am teaching you, but I always ask my attendees not to take notes and not to try to remember everything. Mind Calm is not about trying. I want you to relax, let go, and experience the day. You will have some material to take away to remind you of the essentials, and anything else you might need to remember is easily found from a number of resources.
Once you have relaxed and let go a little, you will probably find that you feel rather tired, even sleepy. This is why I always ask my attendees to bring a bottle of water and take frequent sips throughout the day. Most of us are over-tired and lacking in good quality sleep. When we relax, really relax, the sleepiness comes to the surface. Please don’t feel self-conscious if your eyelids droop or if you yawn. I won’t take it personally; in fact I am always delighted to see the usual signs that my clients are letting go!
The workshop structure is gentle and relaxed. To begin with, we focus more on the theory behind Mind Calm, and as the day goes on we become more involved in practical exercises. By the end of the day, we have practiced the full method several times, with our eyes closed, and everyone feels very tranquil.
No-one is ever asked to share anything they don’t want to or to do anything that might be embarrassing. Some attendees like to participate and talk about their experiences, and others prefer to be fairly quiet. Although we have practical exercises, these involve an inner experience rather than any sort of physical activity.
Workshop attendees vary in their meditation experience. Some have never tried to meditate before and others may have practised various methods for many years. Mind Calm is relevant to everyone. You may encounter ideas that you have come across before and this is usually helpful, as we can all benefit from deepening our awareness through repetition.
And what about support after the workshop has finished? An all-day event like this is a wonderful opportunity to let go, relax and relish the peace and tranquillity of the day, but ideally you will want to go home and cultivate your own regular meditation practice. To help you do this, there is plenty of ongoing support which I will explain in detail at the end of the day. It’s all very well to go home feeling lovely and relaxed on the day, but much more important to carry that experience with you for the rest of your life!
If you have booked a workshop place and have been wondering what happens, I hope that this has helped. And if you have been thinking about it but put it off because you are not sure if it is for you, then please do get in touch and ask me anything. No questions are too silly or trivial! As a coach, I have been asked all manner of questions and nothing surprises me, and I have my own memories of attending classes and workshops and feeling shy, nervous and unsure.
Please keep in touch; find me on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn and sign up for my newsletter so I can keep you posted with new dates and developments. Let’s stay connected and spread the message that ‘stillness is the answer to success.’
