What is Meditation?
Hello Guys 'n Dolls!
I hope you are all in a wonderful state of mind. Speaking of which, I would like to look at the benefits of meditation.
NOW, don't go thinking - I can't meditate. Meditation is simply taking a few minutes (less say 5 mins to begin with) and just enjoying the stillness. As you become good at 5 mins of 'no active thinking', then you can increase to 10 mins, and so forth. It is all about your level of tolerance. Don't feel overwhelmed to 'meditate'. Just relax and sit still for a few minutes.
This is meditation in as simple words as I can write.
SO, that said, here are few PLUS points for sitting still for a few minutes:
- it helps us to gain perspective
- it improves our ability to focus by allowing us to be centered and blocking out out disturbances
- meditation can also reduce stress by helping us deal with negative feelings we might otherwise ignore
- it may improve our ability to remember
- it may strengthen our ability to interact with others
- with constant meditative practice, you will see a reduction in your blood pressure
- less fatigue
- reduced sick calls
- regular meditation can also reduce genetic cell damage
I hope you enjoyed this post. Be sure to leave your feedback. As always, I love your interaction.
Namaste
Recent Comments
38
You are right up my alley there Michelle. Your title has caught my attention pretty quickly. I have been meditating daily for years now and it has become part of my life, and it's actually my niche also.
Meditation for me is a way to reconnect to the essence of life, to the basic of the universe. When I meditate, I allow myself to change the whole aspect of my perception, and when I open my eyes, I see life a little differently every time and it enables me to be more focused when I am wide awake and working.
I truly believe that the more we meditate, the more we can become a better person. In fact, it has been proven many times over by the scientific community that meditation can change the molecular structure in our body, and can even heal chronic diseases. If you want to know my whole story, check out my profile, I have a link to my blog which tells where I have been in the “about me” section.
I wish you well :)
Namaste
Denis
Thnx, D. I will head over to your neck of the woods and hear your story. Thanks for sharing.
Namaste
M
Thanks for very interesting subject for attention in our post- Karen Horney era!
To my experience:
Most Imported in Meditation is Prenatal Breathing (Abdomen Breathing.) Focus on your breathing - that clean up all mental and physical hindrances.
Few citations from Authorities:
Meditation refers to a family of mental exercises designed to focus attention in a way that interrupts the typical flow of thoughts, worries, and analysis (Shapiro, 1984; Wilson, 1986).
Meditation takes many forms and has many meanings in various cultures. Here we are interested in meditation as a self-control strategy for lowering physical and mental arousal. People who regularly use meditation as a stress reduction technique often report less daily physical arousal and anxiety. Even if meditation is not practiced daily, it may be a useful technique for interrupting worries and fearful thinking (Wilson, 1986).
Meditation takes two major forms. In concentrative meditation, attention is given to a single focal point, such as an object, a thought, or one's own breathing. In contrast, receptive meditation is “open,” or expansive. That is, attention is widened to include a non-judgmental awareness of one's total subjective experience and presence in the world (Walsh, 1984).
An example of this type of meditation is losing all self-consciousness while walking in the wilderness with quiet and receptive mind. Although it may not seem so, receptive meditation is regarded as more difficult to attain than concentrative meditation (Smith, 1986).
Thanks so much for sharing, Leonard. Very 'mind' worthy information. I appreciate your input.
Namaste
M
Thank you for those points. Meditation is something that is important and more critical than many people think and it does not have to have anything to do with religion.
Mickeyb
You're welcome, MB. And yes, I agree with you, meditation sets itself apart and can be merged with one and any religious or spiritual belief without 'hurting' anyone.
Namaste.
M
It can be difficult for many people to take the time to just sit still. Minds are racing. Even when trying to meditate, getting into the mindset is not possible because the internal dialog won't disappear.
Yes it can be, Craig. However, like most things in life, we need to be disciplined, especially when we choose a particular outcome. This brings up the point that there are many types of meditation..two 'easy' ones (in my opinion) are mindfulness meditation and walking meditation. Not too hard to still the mind, just re-focus and be gentle with yourself.
Thnx for sharing your thoughts,
Namaste
M
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I agree Michelle. Mediation is a great practice with so many benefits. I try to meditate every day and find that my mind is more cluttered when I don't have the chance due to a crazy schedule.
Erica
Yes, Erica. It is a time of regrouping and it does not have to 'take all day'...just a spoonful at a time.
Namaste.
M