Benefits of Meditation

Meditation is a practice where an individual trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness, either to realize some benefit or for the mind to simply acknowledge its content without becoming identified with that content, or as an end in itself. Meditation promotes relaxation and builds life force (ki, prana).

There are different types of meditation;

• Buddhist meditation (zazen)
• Mindfulness meditation (Zen Buddhism)
• Yoga mediation
• Vipassana meditation
• Guided meditation
• Chinese meditation
• Self-inquiry & “I AM” meditation
• Transcendental meditation (TM)
• Hindu meditation (Mantra OM)
• Loving Kindness meditation (Metta Meditation)

Benefits of meditation;

• A calm mind
• Good concentration
• Better clarity
• Improved communication
• Relaxation and rejuvenation of the mind and body

Health benefits of meditation:

• Lowers high blood pressure
• Lowers the levels of blood lactate, reducing anxiety attacks
• Decreases any tension-related pain, such as, tension headaches, ulcers, insomnia, muscle and joint problems
• Increases serotonin production that improves mood and behavior
• Improves the immune system
• Increases the energy level, as you gain an inner source of energy

Mental benefits of meditation;

• Anxiety decreases
• Emotional stability improves
• Creativity increases
• Happiness increases
• Intuition develops
• Gain clarity and peace of mind
• Problems become smaller
• Meditation sharpens the mind by gaining focus and expands through relaxation
• A sharp mind without expansion causes tension, anger and frustration
• An expanded consciousness without sharpness can lead to lack of action/progress
• The balance of a sharp mind and an expanded consciousness brings perfection

Spiritual benefits of meditation;

• Effortless transition from being something to merging with the infinite and recognizing yourself as an inseparable part of the whole cosmos
• In a meditative state, you are in a space of vastness, calmness and joy and this is what you emit into the environment, bringing harmony to the Creation/planet.
• Meditation can bring about a true personal transformation. As you learn more about yourself, you’ll naturally start discovering more about yourself.

Here are simple steps for mindfulness meditation:

1. Posture – lotus posture or sitting but keep your spine upright with head up,
2. Eyes -keep them open or closed which one you prefer.
3. Focus – use your breath as focus
4. Breath – pay attention to breath let it be natural
5. Counting your breath – count from one to ten and then back
6. Thoughts – let them go
7. Emotions – let them go
8. Silence – silence is healing
9. Length – 20 min, start with 10 min
10. Place – you can create your own place for meditation at home
11. Enjoyment – enjoy

If you prefer use music instead of silence I suggest Theta Waves or Gamma Waves. Note that gamma waves stimulates your brain so use this day time avoid to sleeplessness.

Essentially, the difference between Buddhism and Zen Buddhism is the way practitioners use methods of visualization and breathing to meditate. Zen Buddhism turns a focus inward and to the self without external visualization while traditional Buddhism often relies on external visualizations to achieve a meditative state.

“Remember, meditation will bring you more and more intelligence, infinite intelligence, a radial intelligence. Meditation will make you more alive and sensitive; your life will become richer.” – Osho

I like to practise also ZEN meditation (zazen). When practising zazen you sit on zafu (small pillow), seiza postition (sitting on knees) using cosmic mudra (placing your dominant hand faced palm up, holding your other hand also faced palm up. The thumbs are lightly touching.), clearing your mind – no thoughts, counting your breaths 1-10 and then 10-1, from 15 min to 45 min. Actually zazen is not meditating, it is “Zazen, Whole and One.”

If you want to study more on meditation or mindfulness I suggest to read (or watch on Youtube channel) spiritual teachers like Osho, SriSri, Thich Nhat Hanh, Mooji, Sadhguru & Shunyamurti.

Namaste.

-Sari

 

 

Source: artofliving.org, bcbsdharma.org