Hesitation vs Boldness in Teaching Meditation to Patients

• Silence in the Art of Therapy by Bruce Brown bbrown@pepperdine.edu, 4/24/98
  • Sharing gifts with strangers by Andrew Stone, 7/6/98
    
    

When I first began using meditation for patients about 20 years ago, I was very hesitant. I believe this hesitancy stemmed from several concerns. First, I was hesitant about my skills in teaching meditation. Secondly, I was hesitant regarding patients willingness to try Eastern-based spiritual practice. Finally, I lacked confidence about the specific benefits that could be attained by patients with various illnesses.

By contrast, I now use meditation unhesitantly with most Axis 1, 2, and 3 diagnoses that I see (both inpatient and outpatient), as an integrated part of the therapy,and with tremendous results. The change has come with experience, in meditation practice, teaching, and clinical application. But one thing is clear. Once the practitioner gains experience and confidence, patients have little hesitation in learning and practicing Zen meditation.

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