DOG ASSISTED MEDITATION

When we’re born, the first actions we take are to breathe and open our eyes; and as we depart from this world, we cease breathing and close our eyes.
This highlights the profound connection between vision and breathing, suggesting their potential to transport us to other dimensions or realms. Dogs are often our closest companions, sometimes even more so than our family and friends. Yet, how often do we truly connect with them? Enter the world of meditation, where we integrate the bond between humans and dogs for a deeper sense of peace.

Integrating Dogs into the Human Dog Meditation

Dogs have a sense of smell that’s approximately 300 times more powerful than humans. This heightened olfactory ability allows them to immediately detect various biochemical, hormonal, and protein changes in our bodies. At times, a mere memory that evokes a past emotion can influence our current state, and dogs can perceive these shifts even before we’re consciously aware of them. Consequently, frequent and consistent reactions can train the human-dog bond to develop specific behavioral responses, much like Pavlov’s renowned experiment. Over time, these behavioral connections become so deeply ingrained thatb creating new neural pathways becomes challenging. While meditation has shown to foster such improvements in humans, we’re the process by incorporating our canine companions into the practice.

Benefits of Meditation

Meditating alongside your furry companion not only strengthens the bond between you two but also brings forth a multitude of scientifically proven benefits:
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Stress Reduction: Alleviates day-to-day anxieties, promoting a peaceful mindset.

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Improved Sleep: Fosters deeper sleep cycles, letting you wake up refreshed.

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Clarity of Thought: Enhances cognitive functions and decision-making skills.

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Balanced Well-being: Regulates essential hormones such as dopamine, melatonin, and adrenaline.

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Heart Health: Aids circulation, reduces blood pressure, and ensures a healthy heart rate.

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Emotional Balance: Lowers depression rates and promotes overall emotional stability

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Physical Enhancements: Boosts performance and overall physical condition.

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Slower Aging: Lengthening of telomeres and repairs in cell degradation.

…and numerous other benefits that improve both your and your dog’s well-being.

From Despair to Discovery: My Personal Journey with Meditation and Man’s Best Friend

Descent into Despair

Over the past few years, a series of personal challenges encompassing physical, mental, sentimental, and spiritual aspects profoundly altered my perspective on life. There were periods when I found myself bedridden for months, alternating between hospital stays and recovery at home, due to various accidents and illnesses. These extended periods of confinement provided ample time for introspection and reflection on life’s purpose and the broader world. This time of reflection was the catalyst for the beginning of this significant and transformative project.

Initially, my condition was mysterious, rendering my body paralyzed without an evident cause. After exhaustive medical examinations and prolonged periods filled with uncertainty, the root cause was identified: a severe reaction to gluten, leading to a complete bodily breakdown. Yet, this health crisis was merely a symptom of an iceberg’s depth of challenges. A high point of personal dilemmas, excessive work, stress, emotional struggles, a pelvis fracture from an accident that left me immobile for another six months, relationship turmoil and family issues all contributed to my deteriorating state. I could pen an entire book about this journey, illustrating the challenges everyone faces in the unpredictable journey we call – life.

The Journey Begins: Embracing Meditation

I turned to meditation primarily out of desperation, seeking solutions beyond what traditional medicine was offering me at the time. Initially, I was quite skeptical of this form of therapy. Yet, fortune was on my side, as I chanced upon the right technique from the very beginning. Now, I understand the paramount importance of choosing the right meditation technique for a specific purpose. I’ve come to realize that one of the prevalent issues today is that many individuals, driven by various life circumstances, decide to try meditation. However, some unfortunately encounter the wrong guidance or an unsuitable meditation technique. Consequently, when their objectives aren’t met, they become disheartened, thinking that meditation simply “doesn’t work.” I am grateful that my experience was different. Remarkably, after my first meditation session, not only did my mobility issues see considerable improvement over the subsequent months, but I also regained my hearing in one ear, which I had lost for over three months. Doctors had been unable to determine the cause of this loss following my physical collapse. But with just one meditation session, it was as if a switch was flipped – suddenly, I could hear again. This profound experience dissolved any leftovers of doubt I had about meditation. From then on, my interest only deepened, and my commitment to practicing it grew stronger each day.

The Dual Nature of Focus

One day, someone posed a question to me: What was my most pronounced flaw and my most commendable virtue? Intriguingly, I believe the answer to both questions is one and the same: focus. While honing a virtue, one often directs intense concentration towards it. This singular focus, though beneficial in one aspect, can inadvertently lead to the neglect of other areas, thereby becoming a flaw. Consequently, as I delved profoundly into meditation, endeavoring to perfect this art, I immersed myself in various techniques, methodologies, scientific research, and even observations of my dogs. In doing so, I realized the delicate balance between virtue and defect that focus brings.

Incorporating Dogs into My Meditation Journey

Given my profession, I’m constantly surrounded by dogs. This naturally led to their inclusion in my meditation sessions, either by my intention or their innate inclination. I grew fascinated with their breathing patterns during meditation. After months of observation, I discerned certain patterns and behaviors. Upon further research, I discovered that many of these respiratory rhythms had been previously studied in various labs globally. Interestingly, they often mirrored the breathing patterns observed in children under specific conditions. In hindsight, consulting existing studies might have expedited my understanding, but I wouldn’t trade the enriching experience of closely observing and learning from my canine companions during those introspective months.

Evolution of Der Packman: Dog-Assisted Meditation

Several years ago, I began to integrate dog-assisted meditation into my training regimen, both within my pack and in sessions with clients and courses I conduct. The emphasis on meditation and mindful breathing started playing a pivotal role. Its significance grew to the point where it stands today as a core component in harmonizing the Dog-Human bond. This encompasses strengthening the connection between owner and dog and enhancing emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. From this foundation emerged a prominent aspect of Der Packman. Recognizing the growing interest in this unique practice, we launched a complementary program: the Packman Meditation Dog-Human Exclusive Club. This initiative unites dog owners who share a passion for meditating alongside their canine companions. The feedback and outcomes from this initiative have been overwhelmingly positive. Consider meditation’s essence: being wholly present, whether that focus is inward or outward. In this respect, our dogs excel, for they epitomize the art of living in the present moment.
Memories can stir feelings or experiences from the past that resonate deeply in our current state. As the saying goes, “A mind preoccupied with worries is an unhappy one.” Our dogs, ever in the present, remind us of the serenity that comes with just “being.”

HOW TO JOIN

Interested in becoming a member of our Exclusive Club? There are specific criteria to be
met to ensure a successful and harmonious experience for all participants. If any challenges
exist within the dog-owner relationship, we recommend starting with the classic Der
Packman Training Method.
Before proceeding, evaluate the following criteria for you and your dog:

  • Is your dog sociable with other dogs?
  • Is your dog sociable with people?
  • Do you have basic control over your dog?
  • Can your dog confidently walk off-leash in a forest setting?
  • Is your dog non-reactive to other dogs and people during walks?
  • Can you manage your dog’s hunting instincts?

If any of the answers to the above questions is “NO”, please consider visiting the Der Packman Training Method page first.

If you’ve responded “YES” to all the listed questions, you’re poised to undergo our screening process.

Here’s what the process entails:

  1. Dog Evaluation Appointment: This step is to assess the suitability of the dog-owner pair for the club.
  2. Packman Meditation Integration Course: If the dog and owner are deemed
    compatible during the evaluation, the next phase is a 10-hour training course, broken down into 5 sessions of 2 hours each.
  3. Joining the Club

PRIVATE MEDITATIONS SESSIONS

PRIVATE MEDITATIONS WITH PERSONAL DOG

If you’re seeking personalized meditation sessions for various reasons, our team is here to accommodate your needs. Everyone has unique circumstances, and our range of specialized meditation sessions reflects that diversity
Types of Personalized Meditation Sessions Offered:
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Awareness Meditation (Indoor/Outdoor)

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Intra-sensory Meditation

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Extra-sensory Meditation

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Active Meditation

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Post-action Anti-stress Meditation

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Anti-stress Meditation during Action

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Open Eyes Meditation (Outdoor)

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Closed Eyes Meditation (Outdoor)

Each personal session package consists of a 10-hour course, divided into 5 sessions of 2 hours each. Please note that vouchers for these sessions have a validity of 3 months. For any queries or further details, feel free to reach out to the Der Packman Meditation Club team

PRIVATE MEDITATION WITHOUT A PERSONAL DOG

If you don’t own a dog but wish to experience the profound benefits of meditation alongside one, we can pair you with a dog from our pack that complements your personality and needs.

Prior to these sessions, an initial assessment is essential to understand your goals and intentions. Experience this unique journey with us.

GROUP MEDITATIONS

To be a part of this esteemed group, both the owner and their dog must undergo a specific selection or training process. It’s essential that the duo is in an ideal state to actively participate in the group meditation sessions, whether they’re held indoors or outdoors. This ensures the well-being and safety of everyone involved – be it the owners, dogs, trainers, or other participants (see “How to join” for further details). Our meditation events have a cap on the number of attendees to ensure a focused and serene environment. Therefore, participation is based on a first-come, first served basis upon confirmation of your request.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP

  • 14 guided meditations annually.
  • Access to our comprehensive Packman Exclusive Meditation Club calendar, allowing you to plan and schedule sessions that interest you.
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Awareness Meditation (Indoor/Outdoor)

$

Intra-sensory Meditation

$

Extra-sensory Meditation

$

Active Meditation

$

Post-action Anti-stress Meditation

$

Anti-stress Meditation during Action

$

Open Eyes Meditation (Outdoor)

$

Closed Eyes Meditation (Outdoor)

Possibility of accessing more than 14 group meditation per year for an extra cost.

MEDITATION INTEGRATION COURSE

Choose our Meditation Integration Course. Each course spans a total of 10 hours, broken down into five sessions. Every session is designed to last for 2 hours.

EVALUATION DOG/OWNER

An additional fee per km outside of Berlin applies.