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Benefits
of Meditation
by
Valerie Burke, RN, MSN
Meditation can take
many forms. Whether one is practicing TM, mindfulness meditation, Zen
meditation, Buddhist meditation or any other form,
all have one thing in common--focusing on quieting the busy mind. This
reduction of “mental noise” has far reaching benefits for
the health of body, mind and spirit.
Meditation is not only useful for healing, but it is helpful in deepening
concentration and insight, developing intuition, unlocking creativity,
exploring higher realities, finding inner guidance and manifesting change
in one’s life.
How does it work? When our minds are calm and peaceful, we worry less
and have less mental discomfort so we experience more happiness. When
our minds are not peaceful, we find it difficult to be happy, even if
we are living in the very best conditions. With consistent practice,
meditation can help us to stay happy all the time, even in the most difficult
circumstances. It helps us to separate our true Self from our ego and
our circumstance.
For the past few decades, meditation has been the focus of many scientific
studies. Research has shown that meditation offers benefits to practically
every body system and every mental and spiritual process.
Physical Benefits
• Lower metabolic, heart, respiratory rates, and blood pressure
resulting in reduced workload for the heart; increased ability to relax and sleep;
faster post-operative healing
• Lower
oxygen consumption, improved airflow to the lungs and increased
lung capacity, lower cholesterol levels
• Younger biological age -- one study showed TM practitioners measured
12 years younger than their chronological age; enhanced immune
system (especially increased numbers of killer T cells)
• Decreased headaches, chronic diseases, allergies, arthritis, etc.; reduced
activity of viruses, pain, including chronic pain; reduced PMS in women
Psychological Benefits
• Decreased depression, anxiety, irritability and moodiness; resolution
of phobias
• Greater creativity and improved reasoning and IQ; improved learning ability
and memory
• Increased emotional stability, reduced stress, self-actualization, overall
happiness, feelings of vitality, rejuvenation, patience and compassion
• In mothers-to-be, increased bonding with their babies
Spiritual Benefits
•
Increased faith in one’s religion and/or personal philosophy; increased
connection with one’s Higher Self
• Enhanced relationship to God/Higher Power; decreased fear of death
 Valerie
Burke is a freelance writer and clay artist in Union, Washington.
She is an RN and has a Master’s Degree in Psychiatric / Mental
Health Nursing from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. After twenty
years of practice as a nurse, she decided to turn her life in a different
and more creative direction with sculpture and writing. She lives
in a house overlooking Hood Canal with her husband Jon and 5 kitties.
She has a health blog called Panther
Speak and is a Reiki Master.
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