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Benefits
of Meditation for Individuals and for Society as a Whole
Robert Elias
Najemy
How is Meditation Used Today?
People from all walks
of life, in all the countries of the world belonging to all
the possible religions, meditate for a wide variety of reasons.
The same technique offers something different to each according
to his needs and motives. Some of the motives for which people
meditate today are:
1. To relax the body, mind and rejuvenate onešs flow of energy
in order to more effectively face the responsibilities of onešs
demanding and active life.
2. To heal illnesses (especially psychosomatic ones).
3. To overcome emotional problems.
4. To develop a more relaxed and positive view towards life.
5. To develop a peaceful and more clearly functioning mind.
6. For greater ability to penetrate into the core of problems
and find inspirational solutions. This has been found especially
useful by scientists and businessmen.
7. To tune into a creative inspirations for artistic expression.
8. For freeing oneself from addictions such as cigarettes, alcohol,
narcotics and tranquilizers.
9. To purify onešs character.
10. To develop will-power.
11. As a method of self-observation and self-discovery.
12. To develop the latent powers of the mind.
13. To create a relationship with God.
14. To develop an inner relationship with the Divine.
15. For spiritual growth, self-knowledge or enlightenment.
16. To transcend the identification with the body and mind,
and experience spiritual realities.
17. For the ecstasy of union with the Universal Spirit, which
is the essential reality of the universe.
Scientific Research
on the Effects of Meditation on the Body and Personality
Numerous scientific experiments on people who meditate and similar
control groups who do not meditate, have given repeatable results
concerning the effects of meditation on a personšs body and
personality.
Most of the following studies have been made on persons practicing
Transcendental Meditation. (However, my personal opinion after
34 years of practicing various forms including T.M., is that
most forms of meditation will give the same results)
1. DEEP PHYSIOLOGICAL REST is shown by a distinct drop in the
metabolism rate, as measured by the oxygen consumption by an
individual in meditation, waking activity, sleep and hypnosis.
2. Another indication of the deep rest is that the number of
breaths needed to be taken each minute during meditation drops
significantly.
3. Good news for those with heart problems is that meditation
is also extremely restful and rejuvenating for the heart.
4. Another indication of the deep rest produced by meditation
is the significant drop in the blood lactate level. The lower
the lactate level the more rested and rejuvenated is the muscle
tissue.
5. Tests show meditationšs deep calming effect through the decrease
in skin conductivity.
6. Brain wave measurements during meditation show a higher incidence
of alpha waves indicating a restful alertness. There is a sense
of peace and yet a wakeful awareness in onešs environment.
7. Another scientific study showed that meditation induces greater
communication and interaction between the two hemispheres of
the brain.
8. Perhaps the best documented and well known effects of meditation
concern its ability to reduce blood pressure in those with high
blood pressure.
LONG TERM PHYSIOLOGICAL
CHANGES
9. In the long run both the heart rate and breathing rate develop
a slower pace as the body experiences less mental-emotional
stress and learns to waste less energy. The body becomes more
relaxed and more efficient.
10. Persons who meditate experience much more stable health.
They have less illnesses in general in their lives.
LONG TERM PSYCHOLOGICAL
CHANGES
11. Studies have also shown that those who meditate regularly
react more quickly and more effectively to a stressful event.
12. Meditation also increases onešs perceptual ability and motor
performance.
13. Studies on high school students showed that those who meditated
had a higher Ģintelligence growth rateģ than those who did not.
14. Memory recall is also enhanced by meditation.
15. Many psychological studies have been made in work environments
concerning meditators and control groups of non-meditators.
Meditators had above average increases in
a. JOB SATISFACTION
b. PRODUCTIVITY,
c. Improvement in their relationships with coworkers
d. Improvement in their relationship with their supervisors.
16. A large number of psychological tests have been done on
those who have been meditating for various periods of time.
A test made on those who had been meditating for only two months
in comparison to non-meditators produced the following results:
a. Meditators had greater inner-directedness than non meditators.
b. They measured higher self acceptance.
c. Greater spontaneity and creativity.
d. Greater self-esteem.
e. An increase in the capacity for intimate contact with loved
ones.
f. Less anxiety .
17. Prisoners who stared meditation showed:
a. A marked decrease in mental illness.
b. Their behavior became more socially acceptable.
c. Less anxiety and less aggressiveness.
d. Became inclined to more positive activities such as sports,
clubs and educational activities.
OTHER LONG TERM
PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES
18. After 4 to 6 weeks of meditation, meditators with hypertension
have found their blood pressure fall.
19. A group of meditators who had been suffering from bronchial
asthma found significant relief.
20. Meditators checked for their consumption of cigarettes after
starting to meditate showed marked decrease.
21. Meditation significantly reduces ones need for or dependency
on tranquilizers. alcohol and or drugs.
22. Other tests made on meditators show that they need much
less sleep to recover from sleep deprivation.
23. Meditators show significant decrease in the illness after
starting meditation.
24. Meditators showed greatly increased ability to recover from
psychosomatic illnesses.
25. Insomniacs who start meditation require much less time to
fall asleep.
26. A study on athletes showed that, after starting to meditate,
there was an improvement in their performance on various athletic
events as well as their intelligence as measured by intelligence
tests.
27. In one other study it was found that meditation has the
tendency to normalize a personšs weight. That is if he is overweight,
he tends to loose, and if he is underweight, he tends to gain.
SOME CONCLUSIONS
CONCERNING THESE RESEARCH STUDIES
The conclusion is obvious.
Meditation increases whatever is good and life supporting in
a person.
It strengthens our immune system, harmonizes our endocrine system
and relaxes our nervous system. It creates health and vitality.
On a mental level it develops inner peace, clarity, self-confidence,
self-acceptance, creativity, productivity and eventually greater
self-actualization.
It makes our work environment more satisfactory, improves our
relationships with coworkers, supervisors and subordinates.
It makes us more creative, more responsible and more productive.
On a spiritual level it puts us in contact with our inner voice,
with our inner strength, with our inner spiritual wisdom and
love.
Think now, what would happen if many people in our society meditated?
How would it affect our society?
Think what would
happen if you meditated daily.
If we care for
our bodies and minds,
they will care for us.
Be Well
The above article
is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease
or condition. A qualified health care professional should
be consulted before beginning ExTension or Recovery Yoga,
or any exercise program. Read the rest of our disclaimer
and terms of use.
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