MEDITATION
In current day society the focus is on "busy-ness", motion and accomplishment. It's like a badge of honor to be able to say, "I'm so busy!" The underlying belief is that if you are not over the top busy your are not important, you are not worthy. We operate primarily in the sympathetic nervous system mode of go, go, go. Biologically our bodies were only built to operate in this mode for 60-90 seconds at a time. We spend too large of a portion of our days in this sympathetic mode. Our bodies and minds forget how to operate from a parasympathetic or rest and relax mode. Our nervous system stays automatically set in the sympathetic mode. Through meditation we can relearn what relaxation really is and reset our nervous systems. Meditation is a balm for a tired soul. We, as a society, are not just tired on a physical level, we are exhausted at the soul level.
Meditation is the pathway to stillness of mind, mental clarity, focus, calmness and wellness. It is a process of using breath, mantra, mudra and guided imagery/visualization to lead the mind to a neutral state where you become absorbed into only the present moment, the now. In this space of now you allow your thoughts and emotions to bubble up and come through you without judging them. In doing this you allow emotions, especially the toxic ones, to be processed and ultimately released. Meditation clears the mind and body of stress. It operates on three levels: the physical, the emotional and the spiritual planes. Meditators reap benefits in all three of these dimension.
Physiologically, meditation has far reaching effects right down to the brain wave, brain matter, cellular and genetic levels. Neuroscientific research confirms that after eight weeks of meditation the brain size of gray matter actually increases in three key areas that are responsible for learning, retention, empathy and compassion. It also decreases the cell volume in the amygdala, the brain center responsible for fear, anxiety and stress. Mediation influences brain wave function increasing gamma wave production by more than thirty times which contributes to happiness levels. The brain activity during meditation has been proven to shift from the right frontal cortex stress-prone area to the calmer left frontal cortex. Physiologically, meditation reduces the level of the c-reactive protein in the blood which directly correlates to the development of heart disease. After three months of regular meditation there has been found to be a decrease in blood pressure. Meditation's effects reach to the genetic levels and actually cause a lengthening of the telomerase chromosomes which are a known aging marker. When telomeres lengthen there is a physiological anti-aging effect. The overall physical benefits of meditation include: decreased blood pressure, decreased heart rate, decreased respiratory rate, increased lung capacity, reduced cholesterol levels, decreased cortisol and inflammation levels and decreased free radical circulation.
At an emotional level meditation assists in unblocking stagnant energy at the tissue and chakra (energy channels) levels. Stress is a result of unmet expectations, when what we want or expect is not met by reality. This leads to anxiety, depression, impatience, irritability and mood swings. We have over 60,000 -80,000 conscious thoughts a day cycling through our minds. Many of these are constantly being recycled and at high speeds. We particularly hold on tight to negative thought and experiences. Through meditation a space is created where thoughts are slowed and positive and negative emotions soften. Toxic emotions are filtered and ultimately released. Increased awareness about how we relate to ourselves and with others develops. We become better equipped to handle the disappointments, obstacles and changes that life will always present to us. Thoughts will never cease but through meditation we can learn how to manage them. Meditation helps us to no longer allow external events to control our internal world. It is our anchor in the turbulent, stormy seas of this world.
At the spiritual level meditation reconnects us with the Source. It enables us to find our way back to ourselves despite what is going on in our daily lives around us. We are able to realign with out true purpose and who we are. Through the practice of meditation we look within for the Source and the answers instead of being lead by the external. Our internal compass is reset. Once connected to our true authentic self we can align with the cosmic flow or as Patanjali phrased it with "the uninterrupted flow of thought of the Universal Consciousness."
BKS Iyengar writes in THE TREE OF YOGA, "When your body, mind and soul are healthy and harmonious, you will bring health and harmony to those around you and health and harmony to the world---not by withdrawing from the would but by being a healthy living organ of the body of humanity."
Put in this beautiful way meditation could just be the key to world peace!
If you would like to learn more or experience the peace of a personal meditation practice please consider allowing me to share it with you at Elevate Wellness.