Why Meditate?
Every morning upon awakening, I sit down in the oversized chair that’s in the corner of my bedroom. My husband and four children know the drill very well: don’t disturb mom for twenty minutes. Why? Because I begin each day with meditation. For the past seven years, I have always been doing some form of meditation. However, for the past year, I have been practicing Transcendental Meditation on a daily basis. As a full-time homeschooling mom who is always on the go, it has been extremely beneficial in assisting me to develop a sense of calm and inner peace in daily life.
Others may choose to meditate because they are seeking mindful awareness and expanded consciousness. Or maybe their physician recommended meditation due to the following benefits:
- Relief from stress and anxiety (meditation mitigates the effects of the “fight or flight” response, decreasing production of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline)
- Decreased blood pressure and hypertension
- Lower cholesterol levels
- More efficient oxygen use by the body
- Increased production of the anti-aging hormone DHEA
- Restful sleep
New research is also showing that meditation restores the brain. Massachusetts General Hospital conducted a study that found that meditation not only helped people feel calmer, but also produced changes in the brains of participants. Eight weeks of meditation facilitated growth in the areas of the brain associated with memory, empathy, sense of self, and stress regulation. There are also numerous mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits. Meditation enhances your concentration, memory, and ability to learn. It can also help you to create more harmonious and loving relationships. How? Meditation makes it easier to respond with awareness when you are triggered, rather than to react at the level of the ego. Meditation decreases depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
A study led by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, found that participants who underwent a short, intensive meditation program were less depressed and anxious, while also experiencing greater compassion and awareness of others’ feelings. The overall benefit of meditation is the enhanced connection that is gained with your higher self.
During meditation, you silence your mind and disconnect from all of the thoughts that block the voice of your inner self. You connect with your higher awareness, thereby increasing clarity of mind. So, where should you begin your journey with meditation? You can find books detailing different techniques at your local library, or articles on the internet. You can also learn to meditate through the Chopra Center’s 21-Day Meditation Challenge, hosted by Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey. The effort will be well worth the result!
Meditate with Brandi on InsightTimer.