Article by Sal Pou
Meditation can either be on an object, or otherwise, can be objectless. In the initial stages, it is easier if you start by concentrating your mind on a selected object. Meditation is a three step process that leads to a state of consciousness that brings serenity, clarity, and bliss. As depicted in the first illustration, our “normal” state of mind is actually quite abnormal. Meditation can also give many other benefits.
Meditation, however, seems to be able to increase our minds’ attentional bandwidth. In other words people were capable of processing information more quickly and accurately. Meditation is integral to Buddhism but it can be practiced religion-free for relaxation, stress relief, to regulate sleep, emotional balance, and overal grooviness. I truly believe that if more of us meditated the world would be better place. Meditation helps us reach a state of balance.
Meditation is one of the best methods to bring about transformation and nurture the natural qualities within. Meditation, however, differs from deep sleep, for it works profound changes in the psyche. By curbing and stilling the oscillations of the mind, meditation brings mental peace. Meditation of one style or another can be found in most of the major religions, including Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam. Generally, Eastern religions have tended to concentrate on meditation as a means of realising spiritual enlightenment.
Meditation is frequently confused with various forms of concentration. The purpose of concentration exercises is to focus our full undivided attention on a specific aspect of functioning of our mind and/or the body in order to accomplish a certain goal or develop a certain skill. Meditation for Health, however, is a secular medical program. We teach mindfulness as a basic awareness practice, a way of looking at things, to be shared by people of all faiths and philosophies. Meditation is one of several relaxation methods evaluated and found to be of possible benefit by an independent panel convened by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The panel found that it might be a useful complementary therapy for treating chronic pain and sleeping problems such as insomnia.
Meditation itself is not about concentration, effort, or endurance. It is effortless, refreshing and renewing. Meditation is a journey to the center of our very being; a journey to emotional freedom; and a journey to the reawakening of our unconditioned self. Meditation is a practical matter: increased awareness brings an ability to make the most of ourselves in our daily lives.
Meditation can also be objectless, for example consisting of just sitting. Experiences during meditation probably vary significantly from one individual to another, or at least if different techniques are involved. Meditation, of course, has been practiced in India for centuries. Many know of TM because of the Beatles and other celebrities like Mia Farrow and Donovan, who hung out at Mahesh’s ashram in the 1960s and ’70s. Meditation can do that for you, and much more. The benefits were there, of course, before science proved them, and now you can keep up on the science and the experience with the Meditation Newsletter.
About the Author
Sal Pou currently live in NJ and attends meditation classes 3 times a week. For more information on how meditation can change you life and start living a healthy life visit https://secrets2meditation.com/goto/?url=http://www.learningmeditationguide.com
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