THE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION

Meditation is anart that helps us control our mind and achieves a high level of awareness. It aims at a life of harmony and serenity.The benefits are many and varied.  It may or may not be a spiritual activity.  It is a stress reduction technique.  It is a state of great tranquility.  Meditation transforms our body and mind and enriches our personality. It involves watching the mind that is always restless and wandering. It is a therapy of the body and mind.  It makes us mentally calm and self-reliant.

There are many benefits of meditation which can be classified under physiological, psychological and spiritual.

The physiological benefits are: it reduces oxygen intake, enhances blood circulation, beneficial for those suffering from high blood pressure. Meditation also  assists in losing weight, reduces the ageing process, less disease prone, brain activity becomes more systematic, lowers sweat loss, solves infertility problems, reduces respiratory problems;recurring headaches and migraines are cured, etc.

One of the psychological benefits of yoga are the development of self-confidence.  Our thinking process is easily controlled.  The concentration level is increased.  The level of creativity shoots up.  The practice of meditation enhances our learning ability which in turn  improves our skill.  The relationships are improved through the practice of yoga.  The will power is increased.  The level of productivity is increased.  An intuitive power is developed which foster the creative power.A man or woman  becomes emotionally stable.  One can quit  bad habits like smoking and drinking easily. 

With gradual practice one can control his thoughts well.  The restlessness of the mind is reduced.  The listening skill and the power of retention are improved.  The anxieties go away.  A balanced personality is formed.  The emotional maturity level is improved.  The aggressive behavior is reduced.  The job satisfaction level is increased. The memory improvement is evident from MRI scans showing increased gray matter at the hippocampal region.  The mental boundaries are wiped out during meditation. 

The spiritual benefits of meditation are:  the regular practitioner enjoys peace of mind and an unlimited happiness.  The compassion level is increased.  The practitioner understands others and himself deeply.  An individual learns forgiveness through yoga practice.  A divine connection is established.  The person’s mind becomes more inward in nature.Giving up selfishness one becomes capable of loving others.  The individual discovers a harmony in life.It is an expansion of awareness level.

For meditation, an individual does not need any equipment.  It is easy to learn.  It can be practiced at any quiet place and time.  It has no side effects.There are plenty of positive benefits from meditation.  So given the wide range of benefits from meditation, we must practice it right from today to reap the benefits. We have new leash of life --a new and wonderful life.

Regular meditation helps us to simplify life and solve complex problem.  The manifestation prayers can solve the problems.  We remain quiet for a few minutes in a contemplative mood.  We must decide and try to stick to the decision and never to deviate. Then we must trust ourselves that this power of faith will flow through us and influence others to walk the right path.  Spiritual meditation endows our mind to become a magnet so that divine power touches the heart of those who associate with us.

Ageing of the human brain starts after 30. Meditation helps reduce this ageing process of the brain. 90% of the adults suffer from ageing problems.  They cannot concentrate or remember names and places. It can reduce our physiological age.   We look younger and our life span is extended.  The saints live longer for their practice of meditation.  The mental peace that comes through meditation is really important in our life.

The meditation helps develop sociable behavior.  We become tolerant of others.  We stay in a calm state and so there is less conflict.  We lead a peaceful and compassionate life.  The conflicts in daily life arise from competition in the office, school, and college. But if we regularly practice meditation, we become more tolerant and poised, and lead a peaceful life. 

Meditation helps develop a harmonious relationship with parents, friends and relatives.  It helps us build a beautiful relationship and reduces the conflicts in family or in office.  We develop tolerance.  We must stop yearning for ourselves and think about others wellbeing through meditation. 

We realize our true self through meditation.  This realization comes when we practice meditation for a long period of time. We can realize our true self by meditating in a quietand congenial atmosphere.  One of the benefits of this self-realization is the awakening of the kundalini.  You will find the ultimate peace when your mind is ready to meditate on the Divine Supreme. 

One develops a divine communion through meditation. Our mind then works like a sensitive antenna to receive spiritual signals.  For some fortunate souls, it helps them realize God. This happens after quite a long practice or sadhana.  We realize the way of receiving and giving unconditional love.  We must think deeply on the Divine Supreme by meditating for long hours.

Yoga and meditation mixes well like milk and honey. We may choose to practice meditation with others in a yoga center or a temple. The benefits of group meditation is really incalculable.  The spiritual level increases in group.  Just like other fields of activities, we cannot achieve anything alone, we need companions.  The same thing is true for meditation.

Meditation is the way of fulfilling our wishes.  It is the way through which we can solve our problems and lead a peaceful life.  We can connect with God through meditation.  We can solve our physiological problems to a great extent by meditation.  So let us start meditating!