The benefits of Meditating

There are many explanations for what meditation is. Some examples are “thinking deep”, “reflecting”, “contemplating”. Many people think of concentration when they hear the word meditation. There are many concentration techniques whose purpose is to bring us into a deep state of meditation. These techniques are just techniques - nothing more. They, in themselves, are not meditation.

Meditation has nothing to do with thinking. Meditation is beyond the mind. It is said that one can not practice meditation because the practice itself is the use of technique and effort. On the other hand, it is highly possible to be in a state of meditation. Meditation and silence are connected - with one comes the other. The direction of meditation is to calm the mind to eventually have a less and greater structure in mind - so to speak, to see the thoughts and let them be.

Although meditation techniques are not to meditate, instead they are tools in the strive in that direction, these techniques have a profound healing effect on psychosomatic background or stress problems. They are used more and more in today’s society - in yoga, healthcare, holistic treatment, mental training, and more. It has been shown that meditation, among other things, relieves stress symptoms and difficulty sleeping. In Ayurveda, meditation techniques have been used for healing purposes for thousands of years. In yoga, meditation usually begins with yoga asanas and pranayama.

Buddhist monks meditating

The effects of meditation have long been researched. Brain researchers who have studied meditating Buddhist monks and their brains have discovered that meditation changes, reshape, and repairs certain parts of the brain, leading to higher well-being both mentally and physically. Modern brain research examines the brain’s ability to reshape, so-called neuroplasticity (neuro = nerve cell, plasticity = ability to reshape), which shows that the way we think, learn things, and the way we act affects the brain’s physical structure and functional ability. The purpose of meditation is to quiet and calm the mind, which gives us an understanding of how it contributes to the brain’s well-being.

Everybody can meditate 🙏🏼

The Positive Effects of Meditation:

• increased ability for deep relaxation 

• increased ability to consciously controlled tension

• improved ability to concentrate and focus

• improved breathing and lung capacity

• improved digestion

• stronger immune system 

• reduced stress level in body and mind

• greater self-awareness

• increased mental capacity

• increased feeling of well-being and quality of life

One of the best ways to start meditating, which I know and recommend,  is to sit comfortably, with closed eyes (to turn your focus inward) and follow your breath. It can help to “say” the words “I breathe in. I breathe out” inwardly. Do it for 2-5 minutes / per day. When you can do it with ease, you can increase the time progressively til you reach 20 minutes / per day. 

Another way is to let your inhalation come naturally and then follow your exhalation mindfully, and at the same time try to lengthen the breath out.

When you practice meditation on a regular basis, you will find more and more peace of mind.