Meditation - What is It Good for Anyway?
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Meditation is an age old healing and stress relieving modality practiced throughout the world, in virtually all cultures and all religions, although it may go by different names - prayer, visualization, relaxation techniques, and hypnosis; they are all forms of the same practice.
Meditation refers to "taking a break" from real life. Its goal is to bring about a sense of relaxation to the mind, body and spirit. For some, it helps to connect them to their higher self, others connect to the Universal life force and still others use meditation to get away from reality for a few minutes.
In fact, it's been found that meditation is not just merely a "taking break"; there are a multitude of physiological changes that take place when a person meditates. As a sampling, and by no means all inclusive, the following conditions can benefit from regular use of meditation:
Addictions, stress relief, pain management, hypertension, PMS, fibromyalgia, headaches, migraines and insomnia.
Other more serious and life threatening diseases such as heart disease, AIDS, autoimmune conditions and cancer may also benefit from the regular practice of meditation.
Research shows that when a person meditates there is an increase in immune function, a decrease in heart rate, a lowering of cholesterol levels and a decrease in levels of stress hormones.
Among its psychological benefits, meditation is helpful in patients with depression and panic attacks. Some have found it useful in repressed memories and past life regression therapy as well.
Once an individual learns how to meditate and experiences the benefits associated with slowing down, taking time out for oneself, and the healing potential, it's easy to use this modality anywhere and anytime. Meditation takes deep concentration and focus when first learning but the ease at which a person can transition into a meditative state increases as they improve and continue to practice.
Rachel Dayer runs and operates http://www.mustask.com, a health related portal.
MORE RESOURCES:
Play Meditation Like a Video Game Huffington Post (blog) Meditation requires a balance of effort and relaxation. Too much effort makes meditation tiring and unsustainable, while too little effort causes you to ... |
'Mindfulness' meditation helps teens Times of India 'Mindfulness' meditation, the process of becoming more aware of one's surroundings, improves mental health and well being in teenage boys, says a new study. ... |
Details: Kripalu Washington Post Kripalu offers more than 750 programs a year in yoga, holistic health, personal growth, cooking and nutrition, meditation, Ayurveda and more. ... Kripalu updates its look but not its values |
Dishing with Dee: Paladino makes appearance at meditation garden lunch YourNabe.com It was a special meeting about the Kissena Corridor Park Conservancy and its proposed meditation garden. Everyone present seemed to be in favor of it. ... |
 Opposing Views | Food Meditation Helps Kids Eat Healthier Opposing Views With the fast pace of the American culture, more times then intended, our nutritional intake takes a hit. We rush around from activity to activity, ... |
 Washington Post | Is The American A Subtle Character Meditation Or a Sluggish Bore? D Magazine Instead, Corbijn is content to meditate on Clooney's character. Corbijn's camera focuses on the day to day, watching Clooney work, stroll, or sip coffee ... “George Clooney's 'The American' is a yawning, empty chasm of a movie ... The American Moody, Introspective, and Definitely Not 'American' |
Hearts & Minds: NAMI Highlights Meditation, Yoga and Other 'Mindfulness ... PR Newswire (press release) Practices covered include basic meditation, guided imagery, yoga and Tai Chi, and creative outlets such as writing, art, music and dance. ... |
National day of remembrance NorthJersey.com In response to this call, the Sanctuary at the Allwood Community Church will be open for prayer and meditation from 9 am to 5 pm The Church is located at ... |
Guardian Camera Club: Lasakmarian on pet photography The Guardian The backlit ear and whiskers of 'Meditation after' offer an original portrait; the light in 'Untitled 1' is wonderful too. The dynamic diagonal of 'Untitled ... |
Health and Wellness: Celebrating National Yoga month North Lake Tahoe Bonanza In order to sit long hours in meditation comfortably, they needed to have loose joints and strong backs. It would stand to reason that if you couldn't sit ... |
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