FAQ - Silent Meditation Program

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is Silent Meditation?

Silent meditation is - as the name suggests - practiced in silence. It is a form of meditation that is practiced without any outside influence, e.g. guided meditation, meditation to music, etc.

Furthermore, silent meditation focuses on the experience of Silence which is described in many works around the world, such as the peace that passeth all understanding. It is considered to be an advanced meditation practice, yet it is easy and quick to learn with great potential for fast growth.

Why is it called the Silent Meditation Program?

The word program in Silent Meditation Program implies that is it not just a class or a course, but is much more involved than that.

Traditionally, mediation is taught in a weekend or week-long course, far away from everything in a serene environment. Techniques are taught and you get the chance to experience long meditations. This experience is very powerful and certainly a great introduction to the world of meditation.

However, what usually happens after coming back from these classes or this course is that after a few days concerns pop up, or while getting deeper into the meditation experience stress starts to release and cause some anxiety around that experience. These experiences can be very powerful and sometimes scary. This is usually when new meditators get worried that something is wrong and need some guidance.

The problem is that quite often, the places where meditation is taught are not designed to offer a support system but another course which may not be possible to attend due to time and financial constraints. Then, the new meditator looks for some other help but it may be very hard to find anyone who has the appropriate experience to consult in meditation. This is when most people either continue half-heartedly or stop meditation all together.

The program was developed out of this very concern, that no support system is in place after people learn how to meditate. It focuses on three aspects: practicing meditation, sharing the experience and engaging the intellect. Here, meditators are encouraged to share concerns and experiences and are guided by an experienced teacher to resolve any issues in order to be able to continue the practice and allow the awareness to expand further.

The program is also designed to provide a safe environment on a regular basis, usually once a week, for meditators to come and share their practice and experience in the group. It is open to all: non-meditators, beginners, intermediate and advanced meditators. We all benefit from each other.

How long does it take to to complete the program?

There really isn't a time limit to follow the program. With currently more than a 100 lessons, based on a once-a-week system it would take two years to take all lessons. However, quite often lessons are repeated and explored in more depth.

The point is to see the program as a lifestyle choice, very much like going to the fitness club or taking a yoga class. There is never a point when in meditation one stops learning. Awareness always expands when we focus on it.

How many lessons do I have to attend in order to learn how to meditate?

You learn the practice of meditation during your first lesson. Technically, you are done. You now know how to meditate.

However, learning how to meditate is much more than sitting in class and taking notes. It is not a college course that ends with a degree. It is also not a competition where one has to compare his or her experience with others and judge by that if he or she have learnt enough.

It is a choice of lifestyle. Meditation can become part of and change your life in every moment. It is not a practice to learn and then put aside.

Do I have to know how to meditate when I come to class?

No. The Silent Meditation Program is designed for both non-meditators and meditators. You will learn simple attitudes and the correct practice of silent meditation. It's quick, easy and effortless.

I already meditate. Can I use my own techniques?

Absolutely. Many participants have already learned how to meditate before they chose to follow the program. Some continue to use their own techniques, some use the simple attitudes taught in class, and some mix it up. The only "rule" to observe is to be silent in order for everyone to be able to experience silent meditation.

I'm a very experienced meditator. Will I learn something new?

You might. As an experienced meditator, you already know that our experience is always growing and our practice can always be improved. The engagement of the intellect during the lesson is certainly designed to stimulate your knowledge and bring it into the practice during meditation. You might also like to try something new and see how it compares to what you've become accustomed to for many years.

Will I learn any meditation techniques?

No. The format of the program doesn't allow the teaching of traditional meditation techniques. This is usually done during a weekend or week-long course. However, you will still learn the practice of meditation with the use of simple attitudes which are no less suited than traditional techniques.

What's the difference between an attitude and a meditation technique?

Simple attitudes as taught in the Silent Meditation Program are attitudes aligned with universal principles. They are usually very simple and very easy to use, comprised of one or two parts. Traditional meditation techniques are more complex, usually follow an ancient tradition and are taught over a weekend or a week-long course.

Aren't meditation techniques more powerful than attitudes?

In the Silent Meditation Program we focus on the correct practice of meditation. The attitudes and techniques are the tools to be used during the practice. There is really no say in if techniques are better or worse than attitudes. Both work well with the practice and will create results.

While we introduce simple attitudes in order to teach the practice, we also offer a weekend course teaching traditional meditation techniques. The techniques taught during the course work well with the practice used in the program and are a natural progression from the simple attitudes.

However, the Silent Meditation Program does not require anyone to learn meditation techniques in order to follow the program and have success in the practice of meditation.

Do you only teach in Houston?

At the moment we are establishing relationships with venue partners in order to get more groups going in the Houston area in order to create a solid foundation for the Silent Meditation Program. We will eventually be offering the program in other cities around the country and maybe at some point even beyond that. This will obviously require a solid foundation and a great network of teachers.

We also teach traditional meditation techniques in a weekend-course format which we can easily bring close to you. And, we are also accepting speaking engagements. Just contact us for further information.

How can I keep up with your progress?

Our website is the main platform where we communicate any development in- and outside of the Silent Mediation Program. Feel free to subscribe to our newsletter or use any of the social media tools on the right to connect with us. Also, our blog is updated on a regular basis and will provide information about what is going on with the program.

Where did you take these pictures on your website?

The pictures are taken by Elaine while we were traveling and living around the globe. Elaine is a photographer and we are happy to use her beautiful pictures to enliven our website.

Why don't you provide a phone number?

We find that communicating via electronic means is much more efficient and easier to manage. Obviously in our line of work we are bound to be in a session where phone calls would be very disturbing. We also like to take our time to answer any questions you have and we find it easier to do that when we can decide when we'll sit down and focus on that.

Sometimes, we find that questions and requests inspire us to write a blog post or we publish the question and answer on our website for anyone's benefit (anonymously or with your permission of course).

Why donate?

Thank you for considering donating to the Silent Meditation Program. Any amount is appreciated.

The donation button has mainly two intentions.

It allows people in classes with love offerings to donate electronically
And it is a simple way for anyone who wants to contribute to the program to do so with the click of a button.

We are using your donation to further the development of the Silent Meditation Program. This development is time and money intensive and we are using your contribution to achieve our goal of offering a support system for all meditators and soon-to-be meditators.

Here are a few examples of how your donations are being used:

Design and printing of class materials.
Purchasing teaching supplies.
Development, expansion and maintenance of the website
Creation and publication of the books
Offering classes on a voluntary basis with no income
Promotion and marketing
and much more...

Feel free to tell us what you would like to support with your donation or what you in particular don't want your donation to be used for. We are happy to honor your wishes.

Lastly, your contribution might be of something other than money. Maybe you would like to offer your services or donate furniture, goods, electronics, etc. We welcome any help we can get that is helping us to further develop the Silent Meditation Program. Feel free to send in your ideas via our contact form.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

About the Silent Meditation Program

I am not a meditator, I am an experienced meditator

Between Attitudes and Techniques

Miscellaneous