Meditation Therapy: A Life-Changing Combination

Meditation.  Therapy.  Two different words, two distinct experiences.  Or so I thought….

I have experienced a lot of great therapy off and on over the years.  My nagging feelings of dissatisfaction and annoyance with the world (in spite of many successes) are often what landed me in “the chair.” Of course, the issues went deeper.  We often ended up exploring (and re-exploring) my role as an Adult Child of Alcoholics (ACOAs, unite!) and all the over-achieving perfectionism and guilt that came along for the ride. I always felt better; I always made progress.

In 2008 those nagging feelings began to arise once again.  Now I was older, had achieved even MORE accolades and recognition, but the dissatisfaction and worthlessness were back.  WHY??

I decided to take a chance on mindfulness meditation lessons after reading about Charlotte Meditation in the Observer. “Find peace and happiness”?  Sure, why not?  I had always tried traditional therapy, now I figured I would go back to my bygone hippy-esque days and give meditation a shot.  But is this “therapy”??  Before 2008, I would have told you, “no.”  Now, looking back, I know differently.

Originally, I was dealing with anxiety, depression, trouble with sleeping, an eating disorder, looming alcohol habits and along the way came illness in the form of breast cancer, deep dissatisfaction with my marriage, and grief over the passing of a close friend.  I am still astonished that my desire to conquer mere dissatisfaction and annoyance with life through a practice of mindfulness meditation ended up being a lifeline to deal with more specific underlying and overwhelming issues. I now have gratitude for my cancer experience, I am happily married (to the same guy!), and my friend’s passing has inspired me to live more fully, more mindfully. Life events happen to all of us, but I have a way to deal with them, calmly and with ease.

What looms on my horizon? Finding my “second act” in my career, letting go of motherly anxiety as our 20-something daughter finds her path, and the realities of aging.  It gives me great confidence knowing that I have a practice in my pocket guiding me towards inner wisdom and peace. I can handle anything, big or small, through skills learned in meditation therapy!

Mindfulness Meditation as a therapeutic option simply works.  Learn more and sign up for a free intro session today!

~Kathy Babula~