Psychotherapy and Meditation
By Arnab Datta, MD
Published on Feb 17, 2023
Meditation/EMDR
Psychotherapy and meditation in combination is the secret to changing behavior and character for the better. In therapy, issues are discussed and re-framed. Meditation, when practiced daily, internalizes these changes; this takes practice and is easier said than done. EMDR is added to treat trauma and release it during meditation.
Meditation is not about shutting the mind off. Meditation is about letting it be, letting go and arriving at a more peaceful silent place in our mind. Dr Datta can help you do this. Our mind can be an asset, helping solve problems and focus on tasks. However, our mind is not an asset when we worry too much, ruminate, are suffering from addiction, or having delusional thoughts. A significant theme in establishing sound mental health is allowing our mind to be our ally.
Meditation is an abstract concept. Here’s one of Dr. Datta’s favorite metaphors.
A metaphor of the ocean is widely used to describe meditation. Meditation is often likened to the ocean’s surface, where life’s daily concerns are like waves; the wind will always continue to blow and the surface of the ocean will always have waves. By closing our eyes, slowing our breath, and entering a meditative state, we access deeper layers of consciousness, akin to a calm ocean depth. However, our mind and consciousness are more than that. Once we close our eyes (sensory deprivation), breathe more slowly and deeply (calming lower respiratory rate), we start to mimic the effect of sleep (the transcending of consciousness). Our brain waves change and we begin to access a different part of our consciousness. If we hold this technique (for 7-10 mins) then we sink deeper into part of our consciousness. Eventually we arrive at a calm and still place that is different from the frenetic waves on the surface. In therapy, we re-frame issues preventing them from resurfacing unexpectedly. Psychotherapy and meditation combined offer a powerful transformation.
Finally, through meditation, you can let go (or surrender) of that pain and
