Table of Contents
Introduction xi
Part I: Theoretical Foundations 1
1 Return to Emptiness 3
Core Principle 1: Learn from What Is and What Is Not.
2 The Changing Self 15
Core Principle 2: Attune to the Natural Flow of Change.
Part II: Neuroscience 27
3 The Inner Thread: Effects of All Forms of Meditation 29
Core Principle 3: Meditation Has a Dual Effect: Calm Alertness
4 Variations: Different Forms of Meditation 39
Core Principle 4: There Are Different Forms of Meditation. Pick the Suitable One for Your Client.
Part III: Tools of Meditation 49
5 Attention 51
Core Principle 5: Train Attention to Enhance Meditation and Improve Therapy Outcomes.
6 Sensory Awareness 63
Core Principle 6: Attune Your Senses to Enhance Self-Awareness.
7 Body Movement and the Mind–Body Link 77
Core Principle 7: The Mind and Body Are Linked. Meditative Movement of the Body Can Elicit a Meditative State of Mind.
Part IV: Meditation Instructions 109
8 Focus Meditations 111
Core Principle 8: Narrow Your Focus to Cultivate Stability, Regulation, Tranquility, and Self-Control.
9 Open-Focus Meditation: Mindfulness 119
Core Principle 9: Be Mindful in the Present Moment to Attune to Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors.
10 No-Focus Meditation: Emptiness and Letting Be 133
Core Principle 10: Clear Your Mind. Invite the Natural Free Flow of Potential to Emerge.
Part V: Applications 143
11 Cultivating Happiness through Compassion and Gratitude 145
Core Principle 11: Nurture Happiness by Practicing Compassion and Gratitude.
12 Integrating Meditation into Therapy 159
Core Principle 12: Integrate Meditation into Most Forms of Therapy as an Adjunct or Stand-alone Method.
13 Meditations for Stress 167
Core Principle 13: Meditation Alters the Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Components of Stress. Practice It to Calm, Manage, and Relieve Stress.
14 Meditative Regulation of Emotions 173
Core Principle 14: The Paradox of Meditative Regulation Is That You Gain Control by Letting Go.
15 Meditations for Depression 181
Core Principle 15: Meditation Can Help to Activate a Depressed Nervous System, Transforming Negative Rumination into Broader Awareness and Deeper Compassion.
16 Meditations for Bipolar Disorder 191
Core Principle 16: Use Meditation along with Medication to Rebalance the Nervous System, Strengthen Emotional Regulation, and Improve Relationships in Clients with Bipolar Disorder.
17 Meditations for Anxiety 201
Core Principle 17: Counter the Negative Anticipation toward the Future Found in Anxiety Disorders. Center the Client in the Present Moment.
18 Meditations for Trauma 211
Core Principle 18: Train the Mind and Brain after Trauma to Elicit Calm, Build Resilience, and Rediscover Well-being.
19 Meditations for Substance Abuse 221
Core Principle 19: Rewire the Reward Pathway of the Brain to Go beyond Pleasure and Pain and Find Meaning in Life without Drugs.
20 Conclusions 229
Core Principle 20: Sculpt Your Own Life through Regular Meditation as You Discover that Enlightened Well-being Is Here and Now.
References 231
About the Authors 241
Author Index 243
Subject Index 247