Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)​

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My mind is very busy, I can’t focus for long. Is this normal?

Yes, this is completely normal. Even the most experienced meditator will have a busy mind. The aim is not to stop thoughts but to notice them and return to the breath or the guided focus-point. If you are carried away on a train of thought and suddenly notice you’ve been carried away, just kindly bring your awareness back to the focus point. There are no right or wrong meditations, just experiences to notice non-judgmentally.

 

My mind wanders to random things and memories. Why is this?

As soon as you begin relaxing and letting go, your subconscious mind starts bringing up all sorts of things from your life experiences. Again, this is normal. When you notice you are thinking, bring your attention back to my voice guiding you or your breath as a focus point.

 

If my mind wanders, sometimes my thoughts bring up difficult feelings and then I don’t feel great. What should I do if this happens?

There is a saying: "What we can breathe with, we can be with." This works as long as the intensity isn’t too strong. Here is general advice for emotional intensity:

• Very strong intensity – If it is too much to bear, take a long breath in and out, be aware of your feet on the floor, open your eyes, get up and walk to another room. Get a glass of water. Go outside if you can and notice something in nature. Focus on something different.

• Medium intensity – Be curious about the feelings: where they are in your body, what they feel like. Breathe long and slow with intention, breathing into these areas or around the edges of the feelings. Imagine releasing the feelings as you breathe out and then return your attention to focusing on your breath or my voice.

• Mild intensity – Gently breathe with whatever you are feeling in your body. Notice what you are feeling, where it is, and as you breathe out, imagine you are releasing the emotions. Continue for some breaths and then bring your awareness back to your in-breath and out-breath.

 

When I stop and become still and pay attention to my body, I notice areas of tension and sometimes my pain becomes intensified. Why is this?

When we pay attention to our bodies, we notice things that are already there, but our minds have been disconnected from our bodies and we haven’t noticed the signals. Now that you are aware of them, you can do something about it – it could be that you need medical attention or some pain relief.

If it is manageable, while listening to the audio, you can use the same intensity scale for pain:

• Very intense pain – If it is too much to bear, take a long breath in and out, be aware of your feet on the floor, open your eyes, get up and walk to another room. Get a glass of water. Go outside if you can and notice something in nature. Have awareness about whether you need additional support with this pain.

• Medium pain – Be curious about the pain: where is it in your body, what does it feel like? Breathe long and slow with intention, breathing into the areas or around the edges of the pain. Imagine releasing the pain as you breathe out or turning down a pain dial (like a volume dial). Then return your attention to focusing on your breath or my voice.

• Mild pain – Gently breathe with whatever and wherever you notice the pain in your body. As you breathe out, imagine you are releasing the pain or tension. Continue for some breaths and then bring your awareness back to your in-breath and out-breath.

 

As soon as I relax, I drift off and sometimes fall asleep. Does this matter?

No, this doesn’t matter. It just means that your body and mind need the rest. The messages will still be entering your subconscious mind, and your body will benefit from the sleep and relaxation. In time, when you are more rested, if you notice you are drifting away, you can do things like:

• Raising your head up

• Changing position (sitting is better than lying down to prevent sleep)

• Opening your eyes briefly

• Taking a sip of water to stay conscious for longer

If you are listening to the Sleep Meditation or wish to sleep, then allowing this to happen is the desired outcome.

 

I feel tingling or sensations in various parts of my body. Why is this?

This can be due to the change in your breathing rate, increasing oxygen, and decreasing carbon dioxide. Also, the relaxation of muscles can cause sensations, or it could be increased awareness of your body sensations due to placing your attention within your body. This should pass once you go back to your day.

 

Sometimes I feel light-headed or floaty. Is this normal?

A variance in your breathing rate and deep breathing can cause light-headedness, which should pass when you breathe normally again. Before you get up, make sure you ground yourself by focusing on your feet on the floor and holding onto something as you rise. Get some water or a cup of tea. If it continues, seek advice.

Feeling floaty is associated with spaciousness and connecting to lighter vibration emotions and consciousness. It can arise when you are not focusing on your body but are in a place of stillness and complete peace. Your body feels lighter, which in turn makes you feel floaty. This is usually a pleasant feeling, and when you return to awareness, move, stretch, and are aware of your body again, you will return to feeling grounded.

 

 

Happy relaxing and meditating!

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Nicky xx

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Please contact me if you need more advice on these audios, mindfulness, meditation, or assistance with other well-being techniques.