Meditation is the quintessential technique to release, relax, let go, and cope with the daily problem of inappropriate stress response to the ever worsening overload of our hectic culture. If stressors challenge us to respond appropriately or face the psycho-physiological consequences (and they do), then meditation can bring us the evocation of eustress, the calming antidote. This wonderful feeling of stillness can be measured by healthy decreases in respiration, pulse, blood pressure, and other indicators. Rather than having to reach out externally for an "it," a buffer such as a cigarette, more than one or two drinks a day, any drug of choice, or even an extra-large pizza with everything on it consumed alone when not hungry (!), we can learn to go in, internally, and find the illusive comfort that we seek.

The simple truth is, we chronically go in the wrong direction: forcefully out instead of elegantly in.

We all learn how to think as children. Generally speaking, while we may learn many new things to think about as we grow older (and hopefully wiser), we predominantly do not learn to think that much differently than we did as children. Part of the trap is that we often unconsciously react both instantly and automatically to things instead of focusing our attention to choose a quality response.

Not only do we not choose, we often forget (if we ever learned at all) that we even have a choice.

Habits can become so irresistible that they settle deep within us, like a glue or cement. Over time, they seem to feel as if they belong there, have substance or are solid. This is an illusion. Habits (as well as thoughts) are neither us nor substantial. We do have a choice and indeed, always have a choice, no matter what, no matter how seemingly small. To our very last breath, we may choose differently. To fully reside in our humanness, we always have that potential. Whether we know it, see it, or meaningfully exercise it, that is another matter.

The good news is, meditation paves the way for us to be awake and aware enough to at least begin the journey.

The antidote - meditation - is really empty hypnosis. It first began as Jewish Meditation in biblical times. During World War II, 30% to 40% of the Jewish people were killed. 80% to 90% of that traditional community was destroyed. No thanks to Hitler and those terrible atrocities, the tradition survives! Christian, Islamic, and (the most famous) Buddhist traditions also remain. Major differences exist within each with much ignorance and misconception clouding the issues along the way, but the basic premise is always the same.

Western meditation is not about religion or mysticism. It is about allowing our bodies and minds to quickly and effortlessly relax and just be.

In centuries past, people had the time to meditate for many hours every day, sometimes repeatedly throughout the day. Fortunately, modern techniques have been developed for busy people on the go. My experience is that well-motivated people are literally amazed at what they can learn to do (or rather, not do) in just a few moments every day.

It's a true joy when one learns how to meditate correctly, allows and makes the quality time for it, and is serious about the continuing practice.

Meditation has the capacity to furnish us with an arena in which to be free instead of being in a bondage relationship with a well-patterned doing or belief, insistence, or some other mode of habitual response. We can release physical and mental knots of all kinds, challenge thoughts, access paths to greater learning and wisdom, and even bridge other gaps beyond the scope of this brief introduction.

Meditation is so easy, a child of 10 can do it. Yet, it continues to be a wasted opportunity that our educational system does not teach meditation to our children in school. It could simply be called "quiet time," where students can briefly just breathe, unwind, rest, or even pray silently (if they freely choose to). Instead, we falsely teach our children that stillness, calm, and basic inactivity are always bad, a sign of laziness, a signal that something is missing, wrong, or even a punishment of some kind. Doing and endless busyness over mere names, dates, numbers, and grades are often erroneously presented as all that matters.

Certainly, quiet time could be a very beneficial educational adjunct. Consider the large amounts of unused energy and excitement that children naturally have. We yell at, punish, and sometimes drug our kids because of it - needlessly. They should experience meditation before medication! Many will learn to understand and appreciate it. But if the adults and teachers in their world don't know about the benefits of meditation, from whom can our young people possibly learn it?

Is something missing when nothing of inner stillness, quiet, and calm is taught in the home? What happens when a house of organized religion is often more interested in collective group doing than the tranquility and respect of a unique individual's being?

Is something missing in many doctor's offices where even 30 to 45 seconds of direct connection is no longer permitted to fit into a hurried visit? Some doctors actually believe they are too busy to sit down, look a patient in the eyes, and talk with them directly, without an assistant acting as an interpreter and speaking for the patient who was already pre-screened.

Do they think patients can't speak for themselves, aren't worth an extra 30 to 45 seconds, or that these bonds aren't important? Do you think such healing relationships are complete and authentic?

There is a major problem these days when insurance company payments, procedures, and restrictions get more quality time and care than the patient. In my view, this scenario is inauthentic, incomplete, and unacceptable. For example, every hypertensive should be referred to a hypnosis professional for, at the very least, basic instruction in meditation to serve as an adjunct with medication, nutrition, and exercise information that comes from the doctor.

In our system, this very valuable medical and deeply human component is missing. It's a cultural void that sorely deserves to be addressed.

At Busch Hypnotherapy, virtually every client, regardless of presenting issue, learns meditation. It's a beautiful technique to know and rely on in one's daily life. Time and care are given so all clients feel seen, heard, and connected with. Usually, meditation is taught in the very first session. This is especially important with medical referrals for issues like hypertension and issues of discomfort.

And best of all, it paves the way to basic self-hypnosis.

BuschHypnotherapy@RichardBusch.com