Core Principles of Meditation for Therapy

C. Alexander Simpkins, PhD, and Annellen M. Simpkins, PhD, are psychologists specializing in meditation, hypnotherapy, and neuroscience. With more than four decades in practice, the Simpkins have helped patients of all ages achieve mind-brain change through meditative and hypnotic techniques, and have studied and performed research alongside some of the masters of the field. The authors of 28 books, many bestsellers, the Simpkins are popular speakers at professional conferences, mental health facilities, university campuses, and radio programs throughout the United States and Canada. Their Eastern philosophy influence lends warmth and clarity to their therapeutic effectiveness and commitment to continual improvement.

• Introduction xi Part I: Theoretical Foundations 11  Return to Emptiness 3Core Principle 1: Learn from What Is and What Is Not.2  The Changing Self 15Core Principle 2: Attune to the Natural Flow of Change.Part II: Neuroscience 273  The Inner Thread: Effects of All Forms of Meditation 29Core Principle 3: Meditation Has a Dual Effect: Calm Alertness4 Variations: Different Forms of Meditation 39Core Principle 4: There Are Different Forms of Meditation. Pick the Suitable One for Your Client.Part III: Tools of Meditation 495  Attention 51Core Principle 5: Train Attention to Enhance Meditation and Improve Therapy Outcomes.6  Sensory Awareness 63Core Principle 6: Attune Your Senses to Enhance Self-Awareness.7  Body Movement and the Mind–Body Link 77Core Principle 7: The Mind and Body Are Linked. Meditative Movement of the Body Can Elicit a Meditative State of Mind.Part IV: Meditation Instructions 1098  Focus Meditations 111Core Principle 8: Narrow Your Focus to Cultivate Stability, Regulation, Tranquility, and Self-Control.9  Open-Focus Meditation: Mindfulness 119Core Principle 9: Be Mindful in the Present Moment to Attune to Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors.10  No-Focus Meditation: Emptiness and Letting Be 133Core Principle 10: Clear Your Mind. Invite the Natural Free Flow of Potential to Emerge.Part V: Applications 14311  Cultivating Happiness through Compassion and Gratitude 145Core Principle 11: Nurture Happiness by Practicing Compassion and Gratitude.12  Integrating Meditation into Therapy 159Core Principle 12: Integrate Meditation into Most Forms of Therapy as an Adjunct or Stand-alone Method.13  Meditations for Stress 167Core 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 173Core Principle 14: The Paradox of Meditative Regulation Is That You Gain Control by Letting Go.15  Meditations for Depression 181Core 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 191Core 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 201Core Principle 17: Counter the Negative Anticipation toward the Future Found in Anxiety Disorders. Center the Client in the Present Moment.18  Meditations for Trauma 211Core Principle 18: Train the Mind and Brain after Trauma to Elicit Calm, Build Resilience, and Rediscover Well-being.19  Meditations for Substance Abuse 221Core Principle 19: Rewire the Reward Pathway of the Brain to Go beyond Pleasure and Pain and Find Meaning in Life without Drugs.20  Conclusions 229Core Principle 20: Sculpt Your Own Life through Regular Meditation as You Discover that Enlightened Well-being Is Here and Now.References 231About the Authors 241Author Index 243Subject Index 247