Meditation as a way to balance the body and mind. Like many others, like many doctors sees stress levels so high today that we
are, in effect, constantly in a high idle. Our heart rate increases, the blood pressure goes up, the level of hormones in the
blood changes, breathing gets faster and more shallow, the muscles tense for quick action. This is not problematic if we
are faced with a real crisis. The problem today is that our bodies respond to so many situations in this way that we may suffer
problems ranging from headache to high blood pressure. The conscious relaxation of the body and mind via meditation so that we
have more control over the ill effects of the stressors of modern life
The word meditation comes from the same Greek and Latin roots as the work medicine. Calming the mind and the body allows one
to better listen to the wisdom of the body. Meditation considered as the alternative health movement emphasizes the benefits
of self healing of body and mind. There are numerous forms of meditation including the mind relaxation, progressive stress relief meditation, The primary purpose of meditation is to calm the mind, to be aware in
the present, essentially to find a calm center in ourselves. Many meditation proponents believe self-awareness is
critical for deep healing to take place in both body and mind.
Meditation nourish body and mind
There are over 400 articles on the psychophysiological changes that occur during meditative practice as well as on health
benefit. Many believe that the meditative state is psychologically and physiologically more refreshing than deep sleep.
Meditation may have physiological, mental, and spiritual benefits. Meditation is effective in pain management and also in
enhancing the bodies immune system. Studies on the long-term mental benefits of meditation show that meditation reduces stress and increases reported levels of happiness, self-confidence, and general
effectiveness found that participants in a health-directed intervention program (including meditation) experienced fewer
headaches and less pain in the neck, extremities, and joints.
Types of Meditation
Buddhist meditation
In Buddhist meditation, concentration is highly valued, but awareness is added as the essential element.
Concentration is simply a tool for the development of awareness. In Zen meditation, the mind is tricked out of conscious thought by the posing of insolvable puzzles (What is the
sound of one hand clapping?), and the student is placed in a very stressful practice situation. Eventually there is a
surrender into the pure experience of the moment. In Tantric (and Tibetan) Buddhism, the ego is gradually
dissolved through a process of adopting the ego of various deities, or through surrender to a beloved guru in a devotional
practice. When the ego is released, pure awareness is the result.
Vipassana meditation
In Vipassana meditation, the student is taught to develop a special way of paying attention to what is happening. Over a
period of years, by intensely examining all aspects of experience with this special kind of attention, insight is developed and
the student finally sees clearly the nature of the world around him. This kind of attention is called "mindfulness" in
English.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is both a technique to learn and an experience to have. As a technique it is bare attention. It is free of
decision, judgment, and commentary. Unlike concentration, it is effortless. It simply notices what is happening at the moment. As
you practice mindfulness, you become more "mindful" - a state of alert, but unattached attention to what is happening at
each instant. This can be a very peaceful, pleasant state of consciousness.
Mindulness is an adaptation of Vipassana meditation to a broader, nonreligious context.The specific program, which is
typically offered as an 8 week course, teaches participants to cultivate a mindful state, especially in stressful
situations. Various practice techniques are utilized, including a "body scan." Eventually students learn to concentrate on
whatever things strongly arise in moment by moment experience.
Benefits of Meditation on Body and Mind
Relax the body and mind and rejuvenate one's flow of energy in order to more effectively face the responsibilities of one's
demanding and active life.
2. Heal illnesses (especially psychosomatic ones).
3. Overcome emotional problems.
4. Develop a more relaxed and positive view towards life.
5. Develop a peaceful and more clearly functioning mind.
6. For greater ability to penetrate into the core of problems and find inspirational solutions. This has been found especially
useful by scientists and businessmen.
7. Tune into a creative inspirations for artistic expression.
8. Freeing oneself from addictions such as cigarettes, alcohol, narcotics and tranquilizers.
9. Purify one's character.
10. Develop will-power.
11. As a method of self-observation and self-discovery.
12. Develop the latent powers of the mind.
13. Create a relationship with God.
14. Develop an inner relationship with the Divine.
15. Spiritual growth, self-knowledge or enlightenment.
16. Transcend the identification with the body and mind, and experience spiritual realities.
17. For the ecstasy of union with the Universal Spirit, which is the essential reality of the universe.
