Meditation - Natural Mind Therapy

“The natural mind is clear, luminous, and unimpeded.
To recognize it, rest without fixation, like a child gazing into the sky.”

Dakpo Tashi Namgyal
.

Natural Mind
Meditation Coaching

Whether you’re just starting a meditation practice or you’re a seasoned yogi, I offer a coaching structure that is tailored to your needs and goals.

Our coaching work together will help you get clear on your goals and to develop a practice plan, while providing ongoing support and accountability for your journey.

To learn more about my approach, my meditation training, and what I might be able to assist you with, see below.

“If a lotus is to grow, it needs to be rooted in the mud.
Compassion is born from understanding suffering.

No mud, no lotus.”

Thich Nhat Hanh.

What is Natural Mind
Meditation Coaching?

Natural Mind meditation coaching is my answer to the overwhelm that most people feel when setting out on their journey of learning meditation.

Embarking on a path of meditation can feel like navigating a maze of techniques and philosophies, leaving many unsure of where to start or how to progress. My approach is designed to cut through that confusion, providing clarity and a personalised path forward.

I do this by using an integrative framework that combines the time-tested wisdom from the meditation traditions with the groundbreaking insights of modern science and psychology.

Meditation Training & Experience

I have been studying and practicing Buddhism and meditation for over 13 years, having met my first Buddhist Lama when I was 19 years old. My main training has been in the Tibetan Buddhist Gelug and Nyingma traditions, although I’ve had some additional training in Theravada Mahasi Vipassana, Sōtō Zen, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, and some Qi gong. Over this time, I’ve attended numerous lectures, workshops, and retreats, including a three-month Ngöndro retreat in India, and nearly a year living and volunteering at a monastery on the east coast of Australia.

In addition to traditional training, I have completed several secular meditation teacher trainings, becoming a Cultivating Emotional Balance Teacher — a program developed by Dr Paul Ekman and Lama Alan Wallace PhD which blends Western psychology and Buddhist meditation — and becoming a Unified Mindfulness Level 2 Coach, following Shinzen Young’s secular-scientific mindfulness system. In 2016, I co-founded The Contemplary (Centre for Contemplative Practice), a non-profit organisation hosting retreats, workshops, and public dialogues on meditation and wellbeing, where I also facilitated community meditations. In 2019, I became a registered teacher with the Meditation Association of Australia (MA), maintaining this through ongoing education.

In recent years, I have been studying and practicing Tibetan Rimé Mahamudra and Dzogchen with Dustin DiPerna, who is continuing in Dr. Daniel P. Brown’s Pointing Out style, and with Geshe Sonam Gurung in the Yungdrung Bön Atri Dzogchen system. Now my meditation practice and coaching deeply align with my clinical work, I’m continually humbled remember that I’m standing (and sometimes headstanding) on the shoulders of giants.

I share this here to offer insight into my experience, to convey my devotion to this path and its teachings, and hopefully inspire some confidence in those who may be interested in working with me. While I make no claims of mastery or special attainments, I have been fortunate to learn from some exceptional teachers. It’s mainly due to their generosity and wisdom that I have anything worthwhile to offer. Through practicing and sharing the Dharma, I hope to honour them and repay their kindness forward to others.

-Andrew

Natural Mind Meditation
Core Practice Dimensions

Presence

We can learn to be more present

For thousands of years, yogis and yoginis practiced meditation techniques that enabled them to cultivate extraordinary levels of concentration.

Based on this traditional knowledge, and modern scientific insights, I offer a systematic training protocol that will enable you to reclaim the power of focused attention.

Connection

We can learn to be more loving

There is now a growing body of research that understands how to train and expand our capacity for relationality called the science of compassion.

Using traditional methods combined with modern psychology and neuroscience, I have developed a protocol of not just training the mind but training the heart – to be more open, loving, patient, and resilient.

Insight

We can learn to be more wise

Traditional Buddhist practices were discovered and developed to explore the human condition and navigate the complexities of life, fostering a wisdom that transcends the ordinary mind.

As part of our work together, I will offer insight practices to guide you toward a deeper understanding of yourself and the world, helping you approach challenges with greater clarity, skill, and ease.

What meditation coaching
can help you with…

Motivation
Consistency & Accountability
Practice planning
Adverse experiences
Concentration practice
Analytical meditation

Psychological integration
Compassion cultivation
Loving-kindness
Awareness practices
Dream & Sleep practices
Visualisation practices

Meditation Coaching
Process

1. Initial Consult

Our initial consult together will be a great chance for us to get to know one another and see if it feels like a good fit. It will also be a space for us to establish a highly detailed understanding of your practice history, your main pain points, priorities, and goals.

This will usually only take 1-2 sessions.

I will be interested to know…

-Practice history
-Practice frequency
-Traditions/teachers
-Main goal/s
-Adverse experiences

-Lifestyle
-Attachment history
-Relationship history
-Trauma history
-Grief and loss

2. Practice Planning & Troubleshooting

Once we’ve established a comprehensive view of your practice past and present, and your future goals along with other factors, we can start to collaborate and plan out a practice structure that will support you moving forward.

This may take 1–3 sessions depending on complexity.

This phase may also involve some readings, audiobook, or podcast recommendations, as well as tailored guided meditations just for you.

I’m all about ‘teaching people to fish’ – my goal as your coach is to foster practice autonomy as much as possible by equipping you with the skills and knowledge you need to become your own guide.

3. Practice Check-Ins & Updates

Once we have established this practice structure together, you have the reins and decide how often we meet. If you’re needing closer guidance we can meet weekly, but if you’re finding a good rhythm and just want a subtle tweak, or simply find it helpful to stay accountable, we can meet monthly.

My goal is for you to learn the skills, knowledge, and language to navigate the world of meditation and spiritual practice. To know what you’re doing when you sit on the cushion, and when you take your practice off the cushion and into your life.

I am passionate about guiding others to not only be less stressed and more loving in their relationships, but to truly awaken to their deepest nature and bring this into the world in every moment.

Let’s talk about your practice

Book a Free Consult Call

FAQ

What is the difference between psychotherapy and meditation?

Generally speaking, the key difference between psychotherapy and meditation is that psychotherapy is an interpersonal practice (ie: relational between two people) and works on patterns within the personal self structure, whereas meditation is an intrapersonal practice that works by going beyond the personal self structure (transpersonal) to actualise broader human potentials.

While it is true that psychotherapy can be transpersonal in scope, and meditation can be undoubtedly be therapeutic, it is my view that these two are best kept and practiced separately even though they may support and enhance one another when done in tandem.

How do I know if I need psychotherapy or meditation?

Without a full consultation and assessment it is difficult to say. The best thing would be to send an enquiry briefly describing your unique challenges and goals, or book a free consult call to talk about it.

Generally there are some key indicators related to your nervous system and emotional regulation that will usually suggest therapy is the best option, as sometimes some forms of meditation can either mask or amplify things like unresolved trauma/grief.

What if we after a few sessions we realise I need therapy?

That’s totally fine, we can easily switch the scope and focus of our work together and transition into a therapeutic container. You may find if you have an existing meditation practice that it supports and compliments the therapeutic work well.

How long are the sessions?

The standard coaching session is 50 minutes long, but in some cases we may consider 90 minute sessions if it would support you in our work together.

With all the apps available, why bother with coaching?

Firstly, it’s been my experience as a teacher and practitioner that there is simply too much available out there which makes it nearly impossible to make sense of where to begin, where to go, and how to troubleshoot when things go wrong.

Secondly, I also know from experience teaching and practicing that most people struggle with forming a consistent daily practice, so my coaching structure provides accountability and support for a daily practice to start and to be maintained over time.

How much are the coaching sessions?

A standard coaching session (50 mins) is $100 with a 90 min session at $150. There are some limited concession and financial hardship places available. Please contact me to enquire further.

How many sessions will I need?

The duration of our coaching work will vary for each meditator and depends on factors like experience, knowledge, the depth or scope of the practice, and their needs for a more tailored approach or deeper therapeutic integration work. With coaching, a lot of this depends on you and how much you’re practicing – ie: how much work you’re willing to put in.

My aim is to foster practice autonomy, so every step of the way we’re going to be emphasising building your knowledge base while focusing on experiential learning to ground the theory. Listening, reflection, and meditation.

How often should I book practice check-ins?

The frequency of check-in sessions depends on your capacity and commitment, and the scope of the practice itself.

You may opt for weekly sessions to provide more consistent support and accountability to foster growth. However, others will be more self-sufficient and be able to keep their practice going with only monthly check-ins for tweaks and accountability.

I’ll follow your lead and let you determine the best schedule—whether weekly, fortnightly, or monthly—to support your onfolding practice.

Can I share your guided meditations with friends and family?

If they are publicly listed meditations (Soundcloud, Insight Timer etc.) then yes not a problem – share the love!

If they are meditations that I have sent you and are labelled as ‘restricted’ then please do not share them with others. This is not for my own gain, it is mainly for safety reasons and to protect the teachings.

What if I’m not interested in ‘awakening’?

Not a problem! If you’re just looking for a little more calm in our frenetic and frenzied world, I’d still be happy to connect and support you in whatever way matters most to you.

I can tailor guided meditations for all kinds of things, whether you’re just wanting to de-stress after a busy day or need a bit of help falling asleep more easily – I’d be happy to share what I know.

Integrative Psychotherapy

Natural Mind’s integrative approach to psychotherapy is rooted in years of in-depth research and the wisdom of experienced practitioners who understand what truly works.

Therapy is offered in a straightforward yet systematic way, always adapted to your unique challenges and needs.

More about
Integrative
Psychotherapy

Group Programs & Workshops

Natural Mind group programs and workshops span a wide range of topics, enhancing other offerings or serving as standalone learning experiences.

These programs provide accessible, practical tools and insights to support your healing and growth, helping you integrate meaningful changes into your life.

More about
Group Programs
& Workshops

Taking the First Step…

Reach out today to book a free 15-min consult call to learn how
I can support you on your path of healing and growth

Book a Free Consult Call

Natural Mind
Meditation Coaching