Nocturnal Works death doula resources

The Benefits of Meditation – Recognising Static

by Gerald Lee Jordan
27 November 2020 11:16 (NZT)

What good is meditation

A number of people over the last weeks have been asking me about meditation and what it brings. Yesterday, a mate asked me the benefits of meditation and I thought of this question through the day and again while on the train this morning. Answering this question is not easy – perhaps something like explaining Van Gogh to someone who cannot see. While the experience – and the experience is not limited to the sitting practice itself – is not easy to explain, perhaps a few things can be highlighted. At this point, I will emphasise one thing – background noise.

Experiencing meditation throughout your life

When you meditate, the “goal” is not to reach some mystical state for a few moments while sitting. The “point” – if there is one – is to take what happens in meditation into the rest of life. What does this mean? Perhaps an example will help.

Learning to recognise the static

When you centre the mind, you see random thoughts as not you. You see ideas arise and fall. They are inconsequential. They are, importantly, not you. This awareness expands and you learn to interact with others in the same fashion. You see their thoughts arise and fall, too. You see their essence as so much more than the random comments that come and go. You learn to distinguish the music from the background noise – the static.

Listening to the music

So much is static. So much is distraction when your mind is not focused. What is one benefit/effect of meditation? Learning to distinguish the static from the song. Focusing on the beauty of the music, rather than getting lost in the background noise. There are so many beautiful songs around us.

Aroha nui,

Lee Jordan signature

Gerald Lee Jordan, MBA, MEd, MCouns ❤️

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About Death Doulas

Death Doulas - also referred to as End of Life Doulas - provide emotional and other support to the dying and their families. Support can be psychological (e.g. counselling), physical (aiding with exercise), clerical (helping with completing documents, including advanced directives), documentary (recording messages, including final messages for the dying), ceremonial (e.g. helping plan and/or deliver funerals) and other assistance which is not medical in nature. Death doulas are not doctors, they are not nurses and they are not solicitors/lawyers. They are brought in at the request of the dying and/or family and they are there to help the person transition from life.

About Nocturnal Works

The content on this site is provided to give resources and support to those dying, their loved ones and those providing death doula (end of life) support. When we find out that death is near and the initial shock wears off, emotions and questions flood into our minds. Noctural Works exists as place where you can find out about mental health issues and therapy related to death, dying, grief and bereavement - as well as more practical support, such as planning for death and supporting others on their journey.

The resources on this site are provided by Death Doula Ltd, a company in Aotearoa New Zealand which provides end of life doula support online, in Wellington, Blenheim and Picton (New Zealand). These resources are not legal or medical in nature, so do no rely upon them, but seek legal and medical advice, as required. If you are interested in counselling resources not focusing on death and dying, you can visit our other site, Therapy Aroha.