You ask, we answer.
This page contains FAQs (frequently asked questions) about a previous version of "An owner's guide to the mind."
All of the questions and answers below are still relevant, but it's important to note "An owner's guide to the mind" has evolved to be much more extensive than previous versions. Today's version combines concepts from Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (the precursor to cognitive behavior therapy) and Buddhist and Stoic philosophy. It represents the culmination of almost two decades of research, writing, and working with people around the world.
>>>
Questions answered below:
If you can't find your question answered here, send us a message.
Question:
What makes your course unique?
Answer:
People generally encounter three problems when they start down the path of mindfulness and meditation:
We overcome these problems by teaching you how to
It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or someone who has been practicing for years, we can help.
Question:
What comes with "An owner's guide to the mind?"
Answer:
Everything in our course is online and easy to follow.
It's comprised of three primary components:
All course components are viewed using your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
The information is text, not video. It doesn't matter where you live in the world - if you can access our site with an Internet connection, you can take our course.
Question:
What do I do with the course?
Answer:
It's simple:
(1.) Day 1 - read the course manual.
(2.) The next 21 days - visit the daily course pages, read the supplemental information, and follow the directions for that day's activity.
Your time commitment is 15-25 minutes each day (broken into segments, not all at once).
Our program is done in your own home at your own pace. You have lifetime access to all information, so you can revisit the course manual and daily course pages as needed.
Question:
How do I know if it's right for me?
Answer:
That's easy - our writing is everywhere!
Read a few things - if they resonate with you, odds are you'll find "An owner's guide to the mind" beneficial.
Here's an index of our writing - look at the most popular list, or browse our articles and find what interests you.
Question:
Why is it 21 days long? I don't know if I can commit to that long, or if I can do it every day.
Answer:
To realize the benefits of mindfulness and meditation, you need to
We teach you how to do these things.
It's not a quick fix - you don't do it a few times and move on.
Mindfulness and meditation aren't chores, and they aren't items to add to your "to-do" list. Rather, they are a way of being. And, they can affect your health and well-being more than anything else you do.
If you are ready, we provide what you need. But, effort is required on your part. If you can't commit to a small amount of time every day, meditationSHIFT probably isn't right for you.
Only you can decide what's a priority in your life.
note - if something happens that causes you to miss a day, it's not failure. You have access to all 21 days, and you can revisit any day at any time.
Question:
I've read you don't recommend "guided meditation" - why is that?
Answer:
"Guided meditation" is listening to audio or watching a video that gives instructions to assist you in your practice. There are several pitfalls to this method, but these are the three we usually highlight:
Our course provides proper instruction. We teach you to meditate by focusing on a mantra (a single-syllable sound you repeat silently to yourself). There are no outside aids or devices required. And, you don't need to download an app or pay us an ongoing monthly fee.
It's simple: learn it now, do it for the rest of your life, and always have access to the information if you need a refresher.
Question:
Why do you use a mantra? Does it hold any special meaning? Can I use my breath instead?
Answer
The mantra is easier for the majority of students to use. It holds no meaning - it is simply an anchor that you return your attention to once you become aware it has wandered.
You can substitute your breath, though there are some subtle challenges involved. We elaborate on those challenges in this comment on the "Everyday Mindfulness" forums.
If you choose to use your breath instead of the mantra, it will not affect the course or your progression through it.
Question:
I think information/instruction on mindfulness and meditation should be free - why do you charge?
Answer:
Our site is full of free information. We have over 100 published articles, and provide detailed meditation instructions in over a dozen of those.
We also have "Question and Answer" posts, and other informational articles about how to practice.
So if you're looking for free stuff, we have a lot of it!
We ask for a small contribution for "An owner's guide to the mind." Our course is much more than basic instructions. We teach you to:
The daily breakdown for the contribution is less than half the average price of a cup of coffee. The value you receive in return greatly exceeds that.
To put it into perspective, consider what you spend money on now:
meditationSHIFT is a fraction of what you spend on any of that.
One final point - do you support things with your money that have no lasting effect on the world? Or, worse yet, things that have a detrimental effect?
Your contribution supports our efforts to help people around the world understand their compulsive mind, and how to stop the suffering it causes in their life. It's an important and urgent cause, and one that benefits all of us.
Question:
Can I just purchase your course manual and not worry about the 21 days of instruction?
Answer:
Our goal is for everyone to be successful with the course. Over 70% of our new students come to us through word-of-mouth, which shows we take this goal seriously (statistic as of November, 2018).
Not completing the course as designed will sabotage your ability to implement what you learn. For this reason, the answer is "no" - we don't sell the manual only.
If you cannot afford the price of our course, send us a message explaining your situation and what you can afford. Many people contribute more than we ask, and that allows us to selectively help those who need it most.
Question:
There are thousands of resources on meditation - why is "An owner's guide to the mind" different?
Answer:
Because it works.
Our course has been proven effective by tens of thousands of people around the world for more than a decade. We teach you to:
If you do a Google search on "meditation," you'll get millions of results. Many of them aren't helpful due to misconceptions and bad instruction. You can spend years wading through information that will get you no closer to realizing any benefits.
Or, you can take our course and get the information and structured process you need to be successful.
Question:
Will "An owner's guide to the mind" conflict with my religious beliefs?
Answer:
What we teach in "An owner's guide to the mind" is religion-neutral.
It doesn't matter what religious or philosophical beliefs you hold, or if you hold any at all.
The goal of meditationSHIFT is to help you understand your compulsive mind, and how to stop the suffering it causes in your life. You can integrate it into any lifestyle and belief system.
Question:
Do I have to sit in a special position? I'm not that flexible.
Answer:
No. You can sit in a chair with a straight back, or on the floor with your back against the wall. Or on your couch.
Question:
Do I need any special training, tools, or equipment to do your course?
Answer:
No. You just need yourself!
Nothing else is required, and you can do it when and where you want.
You don't need to download an app, and you don't pay us ongoing monthly fees.
It's simple: learn it now, do it for the rest of your life, and always have access to the information if you need a refresher.
<<<
The FAQs (frequently asked questions) above focused on a previous version of "An owner's guide to the mind".
All of the questions and answers above are still relevant, but it's important to note "An owner's guide to the mind" has evolved to be much more extensive than previous versions. Today's version combines concepts from Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (the precursor to cognitive behavior therapy) and Buddhist and Stoic philosophy. It represents the culmination of almost two decades of research, writing, and working with people around the world.
If you have a question about our 15-day meditation challenge, "Your inner narrative" - or, our other works ("Path to realization" or "ARC: mindfulness for children") - send us a message.
If you are looking for FAQs related to the general topics of mindfulness and meditation, read our blog posts and published articles. If you are looking for information on the benefits of meditating, see our research page (visit our "Sitemap" for all links).
Back to our home page.
All of the questions and answers below are still relevant, but it's important to note "An owner's guide to the mind" has evolved to be much more extensive than previous versions. Today's version combines concepts from Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (the precursor to cognitive behavior therapy) and Buddhist and Stoic philosophy. It represents the culmination of almost two decades of research, writing, and working with people around the world.
>>>
Questions answered below:
- What makes your course unique?
- What comes with "An owner's guide to the mind?"
- What do I do with the course?
- How do I know if it's right for me?
- Why is it 21 days long? I don't know if I can commit to that long, or if I can do it every day.
- I've read you don't recommend "guided meditation" - why is that?
- Why do you use a mantra? Does it hold any special meaning? Can I use my breath instead?
- I think information/instruction on mindfulness and meditation should be free - why do you charge?
- Can I just purchase your course manual and not worry about the 21 days of instruction?
- There are thousands of resources on meditation - why is "An owner's guide to the mind" different?
- Will your course - or meditation in general - conflict with my religious beliefs?
- Do I have to sit in a special position? I'm not that flexible.
- Do I need any special training, tools, or equipment to do your course?
If you can't find your question answered here, send us a message.
Question:
What makes your course unique?
Answer:
People generally encounter three problems when they start down the path of mindfulness and meditation:
- Conflicting information, confusing instruction, and numerous misconceptions.
- An inability to develop a practice they can stick with and do every day.
- A lack of benefits because they aren't taught how to apply the practices to "real life."
We overcome these problems by teaching you how to
- understand your compulsive mind, and how to stop the suffering it causes in your life;
- meditate with proper instruction (all you need is you - do it anytime, anywhere);
- build a healthy, consistent, life-long practice; and
- apply mindfulness to your daily life (transfer the skills you develop while meditating to your "non-meditating" time).
It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or someone who has been practicing for years, we can help.
Question:
What comes with "An owner's guide to the mind?"
Answer:
Everything in our course is online and easy to follow.
It's comprised of three primary components:
- Course manual (the average reader can complete it in a few hours).
- meditationSHIFT methodology and step-by-step meditation instruction.
- Daily course pages - 21 days of structured activity and supplemental information.
All course components are viewed using your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
The information is text, not video. It doesn't matter where you live in the world - if you can access our site with an Internet connection, you can take our course.
Question:
What do I do with the course?
Answer:
It's simple:
(1.) Day 1 - read the course manual.
(2.) The next 21 days - visit the daily course pages, read the supplemental information, and follow the directions for that day's activity.
Your time commitment is 15-25 minutes each day (broken into segments, not all at once).
Our program is done in your own home at your own pace. You have lifetime access to all information, so you can revisit the course manual and daily course pages as needed.
Question:
How do I know if it's right for me?
Answer:
That's easy - our writing is everywhere!
Read a few things - if they resonate with you, odds are you'll find "An owner's guide to the mind" beneficial.
Here's an index of our writing - look at the most popular list, or browse our articles and find what interests you.
Question:
Why is it 21 days long? I don't know if I can commit to that long, or if I can do it every day.
Answer:
To realize the benefits of mindfulness and meditation, you need to
- understand your compulsive mind, and how to stop the suffering it causes in your life; and
- build a consistent meditation practice, and transfer the skills you develop to your "non-meditation" time (i.e., apply mindfulness to your daily life).
We teach you how to do these things.
It's not a quick fix - you don't do it a few times and move on.
Mindfulness and meditation aren't chores, and they aren't items to add to your "to-do" list. Rather, they are a way of being. And, they can affect your health and well-being more than anything else you do.
If you are ready, we provide what you need. But, effort is required on your part. If you can't commit to a small amount of time every day, meditationSHIFT probably isn't right for you.
Only you can decide what's a priority in your life.
note - if something happens that causes you to miss a day, it's not failure. You have access to all 21 days, and you can revisit any day at any time.
Question:
I've read you don't recommend "guided meditation" - why is that?
Answer:
"Guided meditation" is listening to audio or watching a video that gives instructions to assist you in your practice. There are several pitfalls to this method, but these are the three we usually highlight:
- First, it perpetuates the myth that meditation is a "spot fix." You can find guided meditations for depression, for stress, for anxiety, and so on. But, meditation doesn't work like that - there isn't one type of meditation for "this condition," and another type for "that condition." When you meditate, you develop the skill of observing your compulsive mind and its non-stop activity without getting caught up in it. Mindfulness is transferring that skill to your "non-meditating" time.
- Second, it makes your ability to meditate dependent on an outside aid. You need your phone, computer, or another device for audio/video. It's hard enough to build a consistent habit without requiring yourself to have something before you can practice. If you aren't motivated, it's easy to put off meditating because you don't have access to what you need: "I can't meditate because my phone is in the other room (or, my laptop is at the office)."
- Third, and most important, meditating helps you cultivate awareness of everything that arises in your consciousness. In guided meditation, however, you are focusing on someone else giving instructions. While this may appear helpful, your attention is split between the guided instructions (and the mental activity those instructions give rise to) and your own thoughts, emotions, stories, and urges. You are attempting to focus your attention and cultivate awareness while battling a self-imposed distraction!
Our course provides proper instruction. We teach you to meditate by focusing on a mantra (a single-syllable sound you repeat silently to yourself). There are no outside aids or devices required. And, you don't need to download an app or pay us an ongoing monthly fee.
It's simple: learn it now, do it for the rest of your life, and always have access to the information if you need a refresher.
Question:
Why do you use a mantra? Does it hold any special meaning? Can I use my breath instead?
Answer
The mantra is easier for the majority of students to use. It holds no meaning - it is simply an anchor that you return your attention to once you become aware it has wandered.
You can substitute your breath, though there are some subtle challenges involved. We elaborate on those challenges in this comment on the "Everyday Mindfulness" forums.
If you choose to use your breath instead of the mantra, it will not affect the course or your progression through it.
Question:
I think information/instruction on mindfulness and meditation should be free - why do you charge?
Answer:
Our site is full of free information. We have over 100 published articles, and provide detailed meditation instructions in over a dozen of those.
We also have "Question and Answer" posts, and other informational articles about how to practice.
So if you're looking for free stuff, we have a lot of it!
We ask for a small contribution for "An owner's guide to the mind." Our course is much more than basic instructions. We teach you to:
- understand your compulsive mind, and how to stop the suffering it causes in your life;
- meditate with proper instruction (all you need is you - do it anytime, anywhere);
- build a healthy, consistent, life-long practice; and
- apply mindfulness to your daily life (transfer the skills you develop while meditating to your "non-meditating" time).
The daily breakdown for the contribution is less than half the average price of a cup of coffee. The value you receive in return greatly exceeds that.
To put it into perspective, consider what you spend money on now:
- movies and television;
- video games;
- electronics;
- toys and gadgets (your smartphone!);
- sporting events;
- fast-food or meals out (our course is a lot healthier!);
- alcohol and cigarettes (our course is a lot healthier!).
meditationSHIFT is a fraction of what you spend on any of that.
One final point - do you support things with your money that have no lasting effect on the world? Or, worse yet, things that have a detrimental effect?
Your contribution supports our efforts to help people around the world understand their compulsive mind, and how to stop the suffering it causes in their life. It's an important and urgent cause, and one that benefits all of us.
Question:
Can I just purchase your course manual and not worry about the 21 days of instruction?
Answer:
Our goal is for everyone to be successful with the course. Over 70% of our new students come to us through word-of-mouth, which shows we take this goal seriously (statistic as of November, 2018).
Not completing the course as designed will sabotage your ability to implement what you learn. For this reason, the answer is "no" - we don't sell the manual only.
If you cannot afford the price of our course, send us a message explaining your situation and what you can afford. Many people contribute more than we ask, and that allows us to selectively help those who need it most.
Question:
There are thousands of resources on meditation - why is "An owner's guide to the mind" different?
Answer:
Because it works.
Our course has been proven effective by tens of thousands of people around the world for more than a decade. We teach you to:
- understand your compulsive mind, and how to stop the suffering it causes in your life;
- meditate with proper instruction (all you need is you - do it anytime, anywhere);
- build a healthy, consistent, life-long practice; and
- apply mindfulness to your daily life (transfer the skills you develop while meditating to your "non-meditating" time).
If you do a Google search on "meditation," you'll get millions of results. Many of them aren't helpful due to misconceptions and bad instruction. You can spend years wading through information that will get you no closer to realizing any benefits.
Or, you can take our course and get the information and structured process you need to be successful.
Question:
Will "An owner's guide to the mind" conflict with my religious beliefs?
Answer:
What we teach in "An owner's guide to the mind" is religion-neutral.
It doesn't matter what religious or philosophical beliefs you hold, or if you hold any at all.
The goal of meditationSHIFT is to help you understand your compulsive mind, and how to stop the suffering it causes in your life. You can integrate it into any lifestyle and belief system.
Question:
Do I have to sit in a special position? I'm not that flexible.
Answer:
No. You can sit in a chair with a straight back, or on the floor with your back against the wall. Or on your couch.
Question:
Do I need any special training, tools, or equipment to do your course?
Answer:
No. You just need yourself!
Nothing else is required, and you can do it when and where you want.
You don't need to download an app, and you don't pay us ongoing monthly fees.
It's simple: learn it now, do it for the rest of your life, and always have access to the information if you need a refresher.
<<<
The FAQs (frequently asked questions) above focused on a previous version of "An owner's guide to the mind".
All of the questions and answers above are still relevant, but it's important to note "An owner's guide to the mind" has evolved to be much more extensive than previous versions. Today's version combines concepts from Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (the precursor to cognitive behavior therapy) and Buddhist and Stoic philosophy. It represents the culmination of almost two decades of research, writing, and working with people around the world.
If you have a question about our 15-day meditation challenge, "Your inner narrative" - or, our other works ("Path to realization" or "ARC: mindfulness for children") - send us a message.
If you are looking for FAQs related to the general topics of mindfulness and meditation, read our blog posts and published articles. If you are looking for information on the benefits of meditating, see our research page (visit our "Sitemap" for all links).
Back to our home page.