Meditation is a practice that is currently gaining
more recognition for its importance to health and wellbeing but, first of all, what exactly is meditation?
Meditation can be described as a state of being
where the mind remains alert and focused while the body is relaxed and resting. It can also be described as a spiritual
discipline promoting balance, peace, inner strength and ultimately
self-realisation. It can also be
regarded as a method of training the mind to become more focused and
productive.
It is also helpful to state what meditation isn’t
and to allay some of the fears and misconceptions that have arisen around this
subject. During meditation you will not
be hypnotised or controlled. Some people
fear 'opening up' in some way but you are in control of your experiences at all
times. Other people worry that they have
to empty their mind altogether and switch off their thoughts completely. With meditation, the idea is not to empty the
mind altogether but to give the mind just one thing to focus on rather than
letting it wander and jump from one thought to another.
Regularity
of Practice
Many benefits can be gained from a regular
meditation practice but the key point to note is that your practice must be
regular! Ideally you should aim for 20
minutes a day but even if you only manage 10 minutes at the beginning or end of
the day, you will find that you are in a much more positive and productive
state of mind.
Mental
Health Benefits
Meditation is often used as a method of relieving
stress. It is calming for the mind and
body so is excellent for combatting the symptoms of stress. Meditation reduces anxiety, releases fears
and improves depression. It generates
optimism and motivation and improves self-esteem and confidence. It frees the mind from self-doubt and the
internal chatter which is usually very negative in nature. Meditation is calming and grounding – helping
to put things into perspective and bringing you back to a place of peace and
stillness.
With regular practice your thinking becomes clearer
and quicker, leading to increased productivity and creativity. This is one of
the reasons why meditation is being introduced into many workplaces nowadays as
bosses hear about and recognise the benefits to their workforce. Meditation also provides greater
concentration and focus in daily life and can aid in achieving goals: for this
reason it is valued as a method of improving performance in both study and sport.
Physical
Health Benefits
Meditation can improve physical health in many
ways. Studies have been carried out to
prove that it lowers blood pressure and reduces tension. The immune system is
given a boost as it is under less stress when the mind is calmer. Meditation relaxes the nervous system, reduces
the intensity of headaches and migraines, relieves muscular tension and
improves insomnia. When the mind is more
relaxed, digestion improves with improved absorption of nutrients, so
meditation can have a very beneficial effect on conditions such as IBS.
Spiritual
Health Benefits
Generally meditation promotes inner harmony, peace
and balance. It can encourage greater inner strength, serenity and
self-confidence, which leads to positive changes in all areas of life. It increases intuition and self-awareness and
encourages us to live in the present, develop forgiveness and release the
emotional baggage of the past. People often
report a greater sense of wellbeing and a stronger sense of connection to
others and to the world around them.
Helen
Shortland is a Reiki Master Teacher, Meditation Teacher and Holistic Therapist
based at Little London Herbal Stores on Kings Walk in Nottingham city
centre. Her next meditation course is a
4 week Vipassana (Stillpoint) Meditation course commencing Wed 10th
April 10.30-11.45am and is open to all with a basic knowledge of meditation.
Cost is £28 for full course or £8 for individual classes. Please contact Helen by emailing helenshortland@live.co.uk for
further information and/or to book a place.
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