What Is Meditation- How Can It Help You?

Meditation is a process of resting our minds and procuring a state of consciousness that is totally different from the normal waking state. When we meditate, we’re fully awake and alert, but our minds are not focused on the external environment. It requires an inner state that is still and one-pointed. By that our mind becomes silent and no longer distracts us, then, meditation deepens. The goal of meditation is to go beyond our minds and experience peace, happiness, and bliss. Meditation is a system of commitment; we’re committing to ourselves, to our paths, and to the goal of knowing ourselves. Except for the practice of meditation, there is no other method to develop control over the totality of our mind. This article will let you know about clinical applications of meditation and the relation between meditation and Neuroscience, and how to meditate.

Clinical Applications

Meditation is a component of several ancient religions ( Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, and Christianity) traditions, with variations. But, in reality, it’s a science. The practice of mind and body used for increasing calmness and physical relaxation, improving psychological balance, managing illness, enhancing overall health and well-being. Clinical application of meditation are:

  • The practice of meditation for 2-6 months by psychiatric or medical therapy patients could produce improvements in anxiety, pain, or depression.
  • American Heart Association concluded that meditation is a reasonable adjunct practice that reduces the risk of Cardio-Vascular Diseases.
  • There are pieces of evidence that suggest meditation can help in treating irritable bowel syndrome, Insomnia, Dementia, Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Meditation and Neuroscience

Mindfulness meditation exerts its effects on attention regulation, body awareness, emotion regulation, and change in perspective of self. Recent research and experimental data provide evidence supporting these mechanisms. Meditation is associated with the neuroplastic changes in the brain. There are some parts of the brain on which the effects of meditation are exerted. The Neurobiological effects of meditation on different parts of the brain are described clearly in that research study. They are:

  • The anterior cingulate cortex controls emotion and decision making and has attention functions.
  • The anterior Insula of the cerebral cortex of the brain has homeostatic functions, taste, visceral sensation and plays a role in regulating the immune system.
  • Temporoparietal Junction plays a crucial role in integrating information from both the external environment as well as from within the body.
  • The amygdala implicated in fear responses.

How to Meditate

There are different types of meditation like mindful, movement, spiritual, focused, mantra, transcendental, progressive relax, loving-kindness, visualization meditation. It’s learning to stay calm and still.

Keep your neck, trunk and head straight while sitting in any meditative posture. Find a simple, quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Close your eyes. After the body is relaxed, concentrate on your breathe. Open yourself so that there is no distinction between you and breathing. In this process many thoughts will arise in the mind. When you notice that your mind has wandered, simply return your attention to the breath. Don’t judge yourself over the wandering thoughts. Open your eyes gently and notice any sounds in the environment. Observe how you feel and your thoughts, emotions.

How Much Should We Meditate

Meditation is that simple yet challenging. It’s your commitment to sit every day even for five minutes. The most important thing is the moment you sit down to do it, you’re saying to yourself that you believe in change, and you’re caring for yourself. Practice it

Make it a habit. Put some reminders around you and meditate regularly.

Summary

  • Meditation is a process of resting our minds and procuring a state of consciousness that is totally different from the normal waking state.
  • The goal of meditation is to go beyond our minds and experience peace, happiness, and bliss.
  • Except for the practice of meditation, there is no other method to develop control over the totality of our mind.
  • The practice of mind and body used for increasing calmness and physical relaxation, improving psychological balance, managing illness, enhancing overall health and well-being.
  • Mindfulness meditation exerts its effects on attention regulation, body awareness, emotion regulation, and change in perspective of self.
  • There are different types of meditation, but the ultimate process is learning to stay calm and still.
  • Meditation is that simple yet challenging. It’s your commitment to sit every day even for five minutes.
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