Absolutely. No long flowing robes, beads or incense required. You will not have to learn mantras, chant or contort your body.

No, mindful meditation is not new. The concept originates in ancient Buddhist, Hindu and Chinese traditions

We could write pages about what it is, but simply:

• it is the ability to quiet your mind;

• notice what thoughts or distractions pop into your mind;

• dismiss without judgment those distractions or thoughts;

• then focus your attention on the present.

As your meditation practice deepens, you will begin to see that as you go about your day, all your actions become more mindful. You begin to live in the present, to savor each moment, become more engaged and able to deal with the adversity that life brings to us.

We love these words of Lao Tzu:

“If you are living in the past, you are depressed.

If you are anxious, you are living in the future.

If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”

Yes! Anyone, at any age – from the young to the very old – can practice meditation.

It is such a simple concept, but meditation is not easy. It takes time, determination, stamina and discipline. It is a daily practice, and the more you meditate, the better your results.

This is one of the first questions we ask our clients: If a friend needed your help, would you spare 20 minutes to help? All you need is 20 minutes a day to help your best friend — and that would be YOU!

No. You can do nothing wrong during meditation. It is a personal experience, and there are no right or wrong outcomes. In fact, the experiences and outcomes from one meditation to the next could be totally different.

In the 1970s, John Kabat-Zinn, founder and former director of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, linked the practice of mindful meditation with improvements in both physical and psychological symptoms and positive changes in attitudes and behaviors.

Since then, there have been thousands of scientific studies that prove this link exists.

No. Although if you study religions you will find that most have some sort of prayer or meditation that takes your mind off everyday thoughts.

Scientific studies have discovered that mindful meditation:

• Reduces chronic pain.

• Helps relieve stress.

• Lowers blood pressure.

• Improves sleep.

• Aids gastrointestinal issues.

When you practice mindful meditation, it helps you respond rather than react to life’s issues. Mindful meditation is now often used to help:

• Fear, anxiety and panic attacks.

• Depression.

• Eating disorders.

• Addictions of all sorts, including drugs and alcohol.

• Partners’ conflicts.

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

No. It is actually the opposite. You will be facing reality, to fully experience every aspect of life and to be able to cope with what confronts you.