Mindfulness Meditation - The Technique

Meditation is a technique of training the mind to induce a state of conciousness which has been linked with several health benefits. While several research studies and clinical trials have been conducted to understand and demonstrate the benefits of meditation, the first documented research dates back to 1970s, by Dr. Benson, which showed that meditation brings about biochemical changes in the body, which helps control blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and mental activity.

Meditation helps you ‘get familiar with’, and ‘explore’ your inner self. In our hectic, tiring and frenzied lives, our senses tend to get drawn outward; and meditation will help you turn inwards. The benefits of meditation - physical, mental and spiritual, are massive and far-reaching.

Meditation has always been a part of almost all religions, including Christianity and Islam, though it was practiced widely by Buddhist and Hindu monks.

Experts state, that typically, the practice of mindfulness comprises of you seated with your feet on the floor and your back straight. Your hands are in your lap or on the knees and your eyes are closed. You need to try to focus your attention on the sensations of your body – the pressure on the seat, your feet resting on the floor and the air passing through your nostrils. Thoughts will definitely intervene; as thoughts distract you, you gently try to return again and again to the physical sensations of the body, helping your mind to not get ensnared by the various thoughts.

People use meditation for numerous reasons. Many meditate to relax, loosen up, unwind, calm down, and effectively tackle stress, emotional upheavals and every day worries and pressures. The benefits of meditation are extensive and profound.

• It helps slow down your mind and calms and soothes it. It reduces mental chatter and mental clutter. Meditation balances thoughts and emotions.
• Meditation promises to efficiently deal with a host of ailments and illnesses, particularly, life style disorders.
• Practicing a daily session of meditation will leave you feeling revitalized and rejuvenated.
• Meditation will take you to a higher sense of consciousness, intelligibility and harmony.

Other documented physical benefits of meditation include,

• In a meta-analysis study performed in 2003, it was observed that mindfulness can help deal with chronic pain associated with cancer, fibromyalgia and chest pain (among coronary artery patients).
• In another research conducted in 2006, it was observed that meditation can help reduce activity of sympathetic nervous system and increasing activity of parasympathetic nervous system. This helps to induce relaxation and reduce arousal.
• Meditation has also been known to improve the immune response, especially in cases of individuals suffering from chronic ailments such as asthma, irritable bowel syndrome and arthritis.

It is very important to relax on the physical, mental and emotional levels in order to maintain optimal health and general well being. This technique will help you let go of unnecessary and useless thoughts, get rid of unhelpful and negative feelings and drive out pessimism. It suffuses you with positivity, cheer and tranquility.

• Lie down comfortably and focus on your breath for 2 minutes; scrutinize your body for areas of stress and worry.
• Shift your consciousness from the toes to the head. Remain with each part of the body for about a minute, and then proceed to the next part. Be an observer; do not dwell on or judge any thought.
• Envisage a river of water washing over you, carrying with it all pain, worry, anxiety, apprehension, stress, and weariness.
• Experience tranquility and calmness.
• Feel a breeze blowing through your mind, making it clear and happy.
• Lie still for 5 minutes; end your session.

Regularity and sustained practice is the key. You must set up a regular habit of meditating; only then will you be able to achieve long term and noteworthy health benefits. You must try to incorporate a daily session of at least 15 to 20 minutes in to your routine. Over a period of time, extend the meditation session to about half an hour.

With time, you feel be able to handle anxiety and stress objectively. Mediation will bring calmness, harmony and concord in to your life and banish irritability, anger, frustration, disappointments and resentment.