Q: How can Matrix Meditations enhance a professional practice?

A: In at least six ways. First, by bridging the weekly gap (or whatever the interval between consultations with your client may be). This gives your client a concrete resource for reflection, and, if apropriate, an activity to carry out each day.

Second, it offers new tools to expand your client's horizons of reflection in relation to the problem, issue, or opportunity he or she is dealing with.

Third, within small or large groups, it can provide a focal point for group discussions or other forms of dialogue.

Fourth, it can serve as a resource when you would like to suggest meditative or daily awareness practices that are specifically targeted to your client's needs.

Fifth, by providing resources to enhance well being and peace of mind, it can benefit you personally, especially if you become overwhelmed by your clients' problems and require a centering, relaxing, and focusing practice that helps you regain your own energetic balance.

Sixth, it can help a client develop moment-by-moment awareness of his or her mental, emotional, and sensory events, and thereby open the way to making changes where needed.

Q: Is Matrix Meditations useful for clients or members of a group or congregation who are not interested in devoting at least fifteen minutes a day to a formal meditation practice?

A: Yes. The Matrix of Consciousness that is first shown on pages 5 and 6 and then unfolds throughout the book addresses universal issues that every person is likely to meet in life. The relevant topical discussions in the Matrix can be a practical basis for reflection to help think situations through even without a meditative practice.

Q: If I already follow a specific meditative path, either as a teacher or a practitioner, does Matrix Meditations offer anything of value to me? And is there a conflict between it and the practice I am following?

A: Matrix Meditations is descriptive, not prescriptive. Whatever your practice, you will probably find insights that are valuable to you. In relation to meditation and awareness techniques that are not part of your existing practice, you can assess which ones are compatible with your present practice and which are not. Also, whatever your practice, tools and perspectives are offered in the matrix to enlighten specific issues and life problems. We do not suggest that you stop any practices of your present tradition.

Q: Is there a potential conflict between my religious and spiritual beliefs and Matrix Meditations?

A: We don't think so. Matrix Meditations integrates perspectives and methods from Jesus and Christian contemplative meditation, Buddha and later Buddhist traditions, Aryuveda, the six Yogas, Taoism, Confucism, Islam, Sufism, ancient Greek philosophy, and modern philosophy and psychotherapy. We did this in an East meets West, integrative fashion, drawing on whatever seems most valuable in highlighting a deep understanding of any given issue or opportunity.

Q: How does the "oracle" capability of the Matrix described in Chapter 9 fit into a professional practice?

A: By consulting the Matrix in a randomized manner in relation to a question, using cards or coins or a divinely inspired finger-pointing with eyes-closed method, a person will be directed to one or more cells until greater insight is achieved. The value of this synchronistic method is in being guided into looking at a situation from an entirely different perspective than the one to which a person has been previously committed.

Q: How can Matrix Meditations be useful to me as a personal coach or career advisor?

A: One way is through the use of the appropriate problem solving material drawn from cells that deal with difficulties, limits, obstacles, etc that are apropo to your client's situation. Another is through using meditations to enhance your focus on success, courage, positive attitude, and so on. Also, encouraging your client to initiate a daily meditative practice can be very useful, both for developing balance in the face of adversity and for enhancing creativity in problem solving. Some of our own best ideas have come during meditative sittings.

Q: Can I communicate with you about the use of Matrix Meditations in my work?

A: Yes, of course. We are interested in stories about how you have used it, either easily or with difficulty, and are available to answer any questions you may have.