What is meditation?
Meditation is just an umbrella term that combines many different methods of mental training. It used to be associated with religion, spirituality and esotericism. It evokes images of monks and nuns who lead a self-centered way of life in monasteries and places far from the world. Or one thinks of ascetic yogis who linger deeply in the lotus position.
But today, meditation has long since arrived in our modern world - as a relaxation procedure with proven effectiveness in many symptoms.
But despite the obvious appeal and increased accessibility of meditation training with programs such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), it remains a significant challenge for many individuals to maintain a consistent practice. Early meditators often complain that they do not know if they are “doing it right” or give up before realizing any significant benefits.
How can Neurofeedback help in meditation practice?
By providing the meditator with immediate feedback on their brainwave state, a Neurotherapist can help define and refine the process, potentially increasing motivation, interest, and impact. Incorporating neurofeedback into a meditation practice can potentially help with these concerns. In addition, because meditation and neurofeedback are both involved in the training of mental states, it seems obvious that these practices could be used to enhance each other, either in an attempt to achieve deeper states of meditation or by combining them as a treatment intervention for specific mental health conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, or depression.
What can I expect from this workshop?
This is a hands-on, practical workshop. As part of this training, you will receive both 2-channel and sLORETA NeuroMeditation protocols for each meditation style and taught how to modify them for your individual purposes. The morning session each day will be devoted to didactic learning while the afternoon each day will be practicum-style, allowing an opportunity for participants to experience each of the NeuroMeditation protocols. The approaches to EEG NeuroMeditation taught in this workshop can be used immediately to achieve deeper states of meditation or as a treatment intervention for mental health conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, or PTSD.
Note: This 3-day workshop is designed for neurofeedback professionals. While we will be primarily using BrainMaster equipment, protocols can be adapted for other systems. We will explore both 2 channel and sLORETA protocols for each style.
Instructor:
Jeff Tarrant, Ph.D., BCN
Dr. Jeff Tarrant is a licensed psychologist, board certified in neurofeedback and a Global
Neurotherapy Initiative (GNI) Instructor. He is the founder and CEO of the NeuroMeditation Institute (NMI), LLC and provides certification training for NMI therapist and instructors. Dr. Tarrant is the author of Meditation Strategies to Rewire the Brain. Other recent works include a series of virtual reality meditations published by StoryUp VR and the book chapter, "Neuromeditation: An Overview and Introduction" in The Handbook of Clinical Qeeg and Neurotherapy. He is a regular presenter at national and international conferences and has a private practice in Eugene, OR, USA where he specializes in the use of EEG NeuroMeditation.
Websites:
www.DrJeffTarrant.com
www.NeuroMeditationInstitute.com
Facebook:
Dr.JeffTarrant
NeuroMeditation
Cost: $850
Earn 21 CEU's for an additional $40 charge. Register separately through R. Cassidy Seminars. To add CEU’s click here (You will still need to register for the intensive via the black REGISTER HERE button below).
Satisfactory Completion: Participants will receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the workshop verifying 24 hours of training in EEG NeuroMeditation. This workshop fulfills the didactic requirement and 6 hours or mentoring toward certification as a NeuroMeditation instructor.
Content: In this workshop, we will explore five different styles of meditation practices based on the role of attention, intention, brainwave states and brain regions involved; these styles include Focus, Mindfulness, Open Heart, Quiet Mind, and Deep States. Based on client goals and concerns, we can identify which practices might be best suited for each individual. For example:
Focus practices impact the brain networks in ways that specifically encourage improved concentration and reduced distractibility.
Mindfulness practices have the greatest impact on stress and anxiety.
Open Heart targets mood concerns and empathy building.
Quiet Mind strategies may be ideal for addictions, affect regulation, and personality based concerns.
Deep States can be helpful in relaxing defense mechanisms and integrating subconscious material.
Agenda:
Day 1 – Friday
8:00am – 9:00am – Your Brain on Meditation
Meditation Changes the Brain
The 4 types of Meditative Practices
Matching Meditation with Mental Health
Choosing a NeuroMeditation style
Self-Assessment
9:00am – 11:00pm – ADHD: Strategies to Increase Focus & Self-Monitoring
The Unfocused Brain
Focused Attention Meditation
Tips and Strategies
Guided Practice
NeuroMeditation protocols and practice
Breathing Pacers and HRV protocols and practice
11:00am - 12:00pm – Anxiety: Strategies to Manage & Address Judgment and Over-Thinking
Anxiety and Stress: the Link
Thoughts are not facts!
Automatic Pilot
Mindfulness Wedge
12:00pm – 1:00pm – Lunch
1:00pm – 2:00pm – Anxiety, Cont.
Challenging the Storyteller
Observe and Challenge
Cognitive Distortions
Staying in the Present
The Anxious Brain
Strategies to Quiet the Brain
Open Monitoring Meditation
NeuroMeditation protocols and practice
Mindfulness in Nature (Virtual Reality)
Mandalynth
RSA Breathing
2:00 – 5:00 – Hands-On Practicum
Working with Focus and Mindfulness Protocols
Day 2 - Saturday
8:00am – 11:00am – Depression: Strategies to Shift Perspective
The Depressed Brain
Accessing Positive Emotions
Appreciation
Gratitude
Deepen the Positive
Taking in the Good
Loving Kindness/Compassion Meditations
NeuroMeditation protocols and practice
11:00am – 12:00pm – OCD and Personality Disorders: Strategies to Quiet the Mind
The Brain and Self-talk
Automatic Self-Transcending Meditations:
Transcendental Meditation
Zen
Open Focus
Entrain the Brain: Increase Alpha
Time in Nature
Strategies to Shift Perspective
NeuroMeditation protocols and practice
12:00pm – 1:00pm – Lunch
1:00pm – 2:00pm Quiet Mind NeuroMeditation for Disorders of the Self, Cont.
2:00 – 5:00 – Hands-On Practicum
Working with Open Heart and Quiet Mind Protocols
Day 3 - Sunday
8:00 – 11:00 – Deep States NeuroMeditation
History of Deep States-Alpha/Theta Neurofeedback
Insights from Psychedelic Medicine research
Psychedelic medicine and mental health
Consistent brain patterns of the psychedelic state
The role of alpha
The Default Mode Network
Altered States Neurofeedback
Preliminary Data
Applications
Adjunctive Strategies
11:00 – 12:00 Personalizing NeuroMeditation protocols
Using Z-Builder for NeuroMeditation
Create individualized protocols
Practice
12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch
1:00pm – 4:00pm – Hands – On Practicum
Working with Deep States and Personalized NeuroMeditation Protocols
4:00pm – 5:00pm – Final Comments
Questions/Concerns
Wrap Up
Bringing this into your practice-next steps