When life gets overwhelming, we need tools to centre and ground us. Right now, with so many of us in lockdown, we need even more support. Which is why we’re sharing one of our secret weapons with you. The life skill that will change your life.

If you already practise Integrated Meditation, you’ll know how beneficial it is. If not, welcome to the club. Here, Byron Bay-based Jacqui Lewis, the co-founder of The Broadplace – a global school for creativity, clarity and consciousness - shares what it’s all about, and why you need to be doing it. The good news is you can learn anywhere in the world via her online platform.   

Can you tell us a little about your programs? 

Our mission is to help people make progressive ongoing change for the better in their lives. We believe in meditation that actually works, gets results and that people can fit into their modern lives. With the correct training, any person, with any kind of lifestyle can practice Integrated Meditation with success to become less stressed, anxious and fatigued and more engaged, dynamic and resilient. The technique of meditation taught and practised at The Broad Place is called INTEGRATED MEDITATION (I.M). This involves a foundational Vedic Meditation practice and an ongoing education program that integrates modern neuroscience, spiritual philosophies and tools. Vedic Meditation comes from an ancient body of knowledge called the Veda. It is a technique of mantra-based meditation that can be done anywhere, anytime, for 10-20 minutes twice a day. Once learned by students, it can be practised for life without the need for anything else. 

Who are they designed for? 

Absolutely anyone, especially people with no prior meditation experience. We teach kids from aged 5 and our oldest student to date was in their 80s. That said, I find that the majority of students are just like Arran and me; either parents, creatives or people desiring to be their best, most creative and calm selves. 

What benefits will we notice throughout (and following) the programs? 

During the program, most students report that they feel inspired and much lighter and happier. Following the program, there are so many as now students have a practice they can do daily on their own, and they include less stress, more clarity, reduced anxiety, deeper sleep, more creativity and gratitude. 

How long does it usually take for people to start noticing the benefits of meditation? 

Immediately for most, and this grows and deepens the longer they meditate. 

What are some tangible ways we will notice the benefits of meditation playing out in our lives? 

The most common is happiness for no reason. Students begin to realise that prior to their learning and practising their happiness was always tethered to something. Now they’re just joyful. Other big ones are less stress and yelling at kids. Better digestion and physical health. Deeper sleep (so many insomniacs saved!), and more creativity, feelings of abundance and a sharper, clearer mind. 

What are some of the most common misconceptions about meditation? 

That it’s really hard, that you should stop thoughts, that you need to sit like a pretzel! You simply haven’t found the right technique yet if you’re not enjoying meditation. Integrated Meditation is so popular and successful with our students due to it being perfect for modern living, and additionally getting the results of increased calm and creativity as well as reducing stress, tension and fatigue. My favourite misconception is ‘I tried meditation once, couldn’t do it’. Not all meditation is created equal and most was designed for monastic life, which is clearly not what you, I and any of your readers have. Integrated Meditation slots right on in with the fun craziness of living in the present world. 

What does an ideal meditation practice look like?  

With Integrated Meditation we recommend 10-20 minutes once to twice a day. A full program looks like 20 minutes twice a day, but our mums are usually squeezing in 5-10 minutes whenever they can. The pregnancy and newborn program is completely different, and can be done while breastfeeding, late at night, and for as little or as long as the mama can fit it in. 

What do we need to get started? Is it an amount of time, a quiet space, etc? 

Definitely not a quiet space, firstly we’ll never find it and secondly the internal noise is noisier anyway! Our students sit in their cars, Ubers, lounge rooms with kids watching TV (keeping them captive for a small moment!) and at work, in bed, anywhere they can. Integrated Meditation is a practice whereby comfort is key, and we sit with back support so the body can completely relax. This makes it ultra flexible as a practice. 

Visit thebroadplace.com