The scientific community is closely interested in the development of virtual reality (VR). Many researchers praise the therapeutic potential of this dive into a virtual world in the service of mental health (to tend to phobias, anxiety, the Depression...). If scientific applications are still in their infancy, one can wonder: allied to body-mind disciplines such as meditation or yoga, does virtual reality facilitate the practice? This is what I wanted to know by testing a virtual reality meditation session via the Diacalm workshop offered at Cures Marines de Trouville (Lower Normandy).
Put your mind on OFF
Comfortably installed on my white armchair in a white bathrobe (thalasso obliges), I put on and adjust my virtual reality headset. A nocturnal glade landscape opens up to me. I follow the instructions sent in the headphones of my helmet by Antoine Lecoq, fitness manager of the establishment, my guide for this initiation. I am invited to become aware of my environment. In front of me, a glowing campfire surrounded by stones. Around, slender silhouettes of trees silhouetted against a sky punctually crossed by shooting stars. I turn my head and observe the smallest details, the colors, the shapes of each element of this natural setting. The trees, the shape of the stones, the leaves. By focusing my mind on a precise detail, I put aside the wandering thoughts and I turn off my mental radio.
My attention now stops on the crackling of the flames. This hypnotic observation serves as an anchor point.
Antoine asks me now to concentrate on my breathing without taking my eyes off the campfire. With each ample and deep breathing movement, I relax a little more my vigilance. My hands, arms and legs are getting heavier. I breathe in 1, 2, 3, 4, I breathe out 1, 2, 3, 4. A pleasant feeling of torpor envelops me. Thus attentive to the flames and my respiratory flow I work on my “simultaneous attention”, Antoine will explain to me later. Understand: the double vigilance to his environment and his inner state.
Soak up the serenity of the landscape
Now the seat is tilted to the reclining position and I watch the shooting stars “rising, passing and disappearing” in the sky, a metaphor for the flood of thoughts that constantly dispels my mind. Invited to close my eyes, I pay attention to my navel and become aware of the breathing spaces, awareness of my lower back – areas that I never think about … At the next breath, I soak up the serenity of the landscape and at the expiration I install it in my body. An easy exercise because the image is anchored in my mind.
I gradually come back to myself not relaxed and reassured by this enchanting landscape.
Assessment of the experience? Although initiated into meditation before the session, I emerge convinced of the interest of virtual reality for the practice, especially when you start. Visualization helps mobilize attention and advice guided by a trained person can help better access their key principles of concentration on an object, non-judgmental observation of their breathing or even the distancing of thoughts.
Diacalm virtual reality meditation workshop to be tested at Cures Marines de Trouville.
Thanks to Antoine Lecoq, fitness manager and training manager at Les Cures Marines de Trouville spa. www.lescuresmarines.com/
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