Benefits of Meditation

Nowadays it seems that even the mainstream magazines are discussing the numerous benefits of meditation. What was once an activity reserved for the eclectic in our culture has now taken a strong foothold in the fabric of Western society.

But there are still many of us who would scratch our heads if asked to explain meditation. What is it exactly? To meditate means to focus your thoughts on something with the purpose of quieting the incessant chatter of the mind. If done properly, your brainwaves reach a level of consciousness called alpha state, and it is in this state that your mind and body begin to heal.

The healing benefits of meditation are threefold physical, psychological, and spiritual. The meditation benefits touted the most in our culture are the physiological benefits that can be tested and proven. For example, due to a steady increase in coronary disease over the last few decades, many individuals are turning to meditation as a way of improving their heart health. The effects of meditation when practiced regularly include reduced blood pressure and cholesterol, which means an overall decrease in your hearts workload. Less work for your heart means it will be pumping for many years to come.

Other meditation effects on the body include a decrease in chronic pain and stress and better breathing due to improved lung and heart efficiency. Some studies also suggest that meditation may help those with sleep disorders or even those who suffer from autoimmune diseases such as fibromyalgia.

Other benefits of meditation are those which take place in the mind, and sometimes these are equally as important as the physical benefits. Psychological benefits of meditation include improved creativity, learning ability, and memory. And, lets face it who doesnt need a little help with their memory? Studies also show an increase in overall happiness and emotional stability, while feelings of depression, anxiety and irritability tend to decrease.

In addition to the physical and psychological effects of meditation, we cannot discount the deep spiritual implications of this ancient art. For centuries enlightened cultures have sought the spiritual benefits of meditation and have discovered its awesome ability to momentarily separate us from our material needs and desires and put us in contact with something greater. We can use meditation to open up our minds to receive deeper wisdom, which helps to lead us down the path of self-improvement or even self-enlightenment.

The best part is that we dont have to be a shaman, or Gandhi, or attend a Buddhist temple to reap these spiritual meditation benefits. In fact, there exists a number of ways in which people like you and I can partake in the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of meditation.

Mindfulness, transcendental, and breathing meditation are just a sampling of the types of meditation you can use to bring your mind into a relaxed state of healing. In mindfulness meditation we allow thoughts and feelings to enter our mind, but we do not judge them. We practice living fully in the present moment. With transcendental meditation, we use a mantra, which we repeat in order to quiet our thoughts. Breathing meditation harnesses the rhythmic power of our own breath. Feel inspired to investigate other types. As long as the form of meditation benefits the body, mind, and soul, it is useful.

Feel overwhelmed by your choices? You can also purchase meditation tapes in order to experience the positive effects of meditation. Let an expert guide you through the process. Or, look for local churches or meditation centers that offer classes. Whatever form of meditation you choose, remember you must practice it regularly in order to experience the incredible benefits of meditation.

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What is meditation?

Meditation usually refers to a state in which the body is consciously relaxed and the mind is allowed to become calm and focused. Several major religions include ritual meditation; however, meditation itself need not be a religious or spiritual activity. Most of the more popular systems of meditation are of Eastern origin, though there exists also various forms of Christian, Jewish and Muslim meditation.
Meditation as a form of alternative medicine brings about mental calmness and physical relaxation by suspending the stream of thoughts that normally occupy the mind. Generally performed once or twice a day for approximately 20 minutes at a time, meditation is used to reduce stress, alter hormone levels, and elevate one's mood.
A discipline in which the mind is focused on a single point of reference. Employed since ancient times in various forms by all religions, the practice gained greater notice in the post war US as interest in Zen Buddhism rose. Meditation is now used by many nonreligious adherents as a method of stress reduction; known to lower levels of cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress. Enhances recuperation and improves the body’s resistance to disease.
Meditation is an easy and simple way to balance a person's physical, emotional, and mental states. It is easily learned and has been used as an aid in treating stress, anxiety, pain management, and as part of an overall treatment for other conditions including hypertension and heart disease. Research shows that meditation decreases the heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen consumption, and even decreases blood pressure.