Meditation for healing

A meditative practice can have a profound impact on health and well-being.

There is also information about the principles and properties of meditation. Sounds good right?

First let’s talk about motivation to meditate.

Source: “Meditating Buddha”

Why bother trying?

Do you ever find yourself asking this type of questions:

What can I do to be happy?;

Why do I feel this pain?;

Is life meant to be this way?;

Is there more to life??

The interesting fact is that these seem to be universal, people all over the world are asking the same questions.

Regardless of different cultures, religions, and philosophies.

This means people in general haven’t found one way of living that would wipe out suffering in the world.

Or maybe not enough people have tools to do it?

I believe that there are many happy and fulfilled humans on this beautiful planet.

However, most if not 90 percent experience feel the need to know the answers to life’s problems.

I will not tell you what they are.

That would be very inaccurate, subjective and unfulfilling.

Would you really like someone to answer your questions?

Hand it like a wonderful gift that will set you free, like Morpheus giving Neo the red pill.

Well I wish I knew the answers myself.

BUT.

I have a clue on what can bring you closer to understand yourself.

Your inner thoughts, feelings, desires, motives, and finally heal from existential dread.

And that is

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The practice of meditation.

What is meditation?

Meditation in simplest terms is a method for calming the mind by concentrating on what is happening right now (breathing, feeling, etc.).

The Buddha in Dhammapada script refers to a meditative practice as pure awareness (Buddha, 100 BC).

He describes it to being fully aware of the present moment in which one doesn’t get distracted by any thoughts.

There are many ways in which a meditative practice can be exercised.

Two most general types are formal and informal.

I will briefly describe the basics.

Formal meditation is the most commonly known way of meditating.

One does it by sitting down with a balanced and stable posture while consciously observing his or hers sensations (ex. breath, parts of the body, emotions etc.).

The most common sub-types of formal meditation are:

Single-pointed concentration

Body-scan

Mantra meditation

Transcendental meditation

Informal meditation doesn’t have any physical guidelines.

People do it every time they are fully aware of the present moment.

You can do it everywhere and however you like.

Just as long as you establish a meditative mind.

Whether you walk, observe nature, people doesn’t matter

Focus and let go.

The most important aspect of a meditative practice is regularity.

Benefits of regular meditation

There are many befits from a regular practice of meditation

Let me name some of the most common ones.

1.Peace of mind / stress reduction;

2. Better concentration;

3. Emotional processing;

4. Better sleep;

5. Higher productivity;

6. Higher sensitivity;

7. Increased brain; plasticity;

8. Higher awareness;

9. Insight.

Scientific research also suggests that regular mindfulness meditation can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and of course stress (Istvan Schreiner, James P. Malcolm, 2008).

Meditation for self-therapy

Going into meditative states of mind are a powerful tool for self-healing and transformation.

Why?

Because they stabilize the mind and bring it to a place of safety, which is crucial in dealing with trauma.

A dangerous way to approach emotional processing is to do it while being in an unstable situation, both external and internal.

Our circumstances are often outside of our control, but we can control the state of our the mind.

That doesn’t mean one should try to forcefully avoid or try get rid of thoughts or unpleasant emotions.

In fact this will only do harm because by doing so one throws them deeper into the unconscious.

This would only increase stress and influence behavior negatively.

More one’s thoughts and feelings are avoided, more power they have over one’s life.

Suppression only generates mental degeneration and can lead to all sort of illnesses.

That is why one should allow them into his or hers consciousness.

In meditative practice the following rule applies

“being aware of the problem is the solution to the problem”.

The whole point of peaceful awareness is to realize the root of that which we try to avoid or suppress.

When a person reaches a meditative state suddenly he or she is directly exposed to the source of one’s difficulties.

When these are experienced consciously and completely without breaking of the awareness, the healing process is finished.

It’s a feeling of great relief and mental space.

There can be many layer’s of blockages that someone set unconsciously through defense mechanisms.

To break those barriers one needs to meditate regularly so that when new blockages arise a person can overcome them.

Time of one session really depends on the person and his or hers ability to stay concentrated.

15 to 30 minutes per session should be okay.

Don’t worry if you can’t do it so long, set a timer to check how long you were able to meditate, and try to increase it over time.

Be patient.

Body preparation is something truly important in meditation.

Well stretched, healthy body enables oneself to sit in one posture with straight back for a longer period.

Do Yoga Asana’s regularly in the morning, that’s a great way to start the day.

It releases stress in the body and improves the flow of energy.

Your back will benefit a lot, especially if you sit behind the desk often.

Stretch and breathe.

Proper breathing can greatly benefit your meditation practice.

The breath regulates the mind, deeper and slower breaths will set it to a more relaxed alpha state.

On the other hand shallower and faster breaths stimulate it.

You can influence your brain activity by changing patterns of your breathing.

It’s great to practice breathing outside of meditation session.

However while meditating I advise people to let go of trying to control the breath.

Meditation is about observing the natural flow.

Persistence. One can be overwhelmed by having direct contact (without distractions) with his or hers inner world of thoughts and feelings.

Take whatever comes and accept it.

Remember that this experience will pass if you turn your attention to it and let it go.

It may hurt or be unpleasant, but trust me, you will feel much better afterwards.

Following quote applies to meditation.

“That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”- Friedrich Nietzsche (1889).

Conclusion

I believe meditation may be the right form of self-therapy/self-help for everybody.

This is why I recommend You to try it by yourself or with a teacher.

Developing a meditative mind truly transformed my life.

This is why I want to share this pracice with You and the rest of the world.

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Source: Natureandstuff123|IG

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Thank you for taking your time to read this article! :)

Additional info:

• If you would like me to teach you meditation please do not hesitate to contact me.
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References:

Buddha. (100 B.C.). Dhammapada (trans. A. Buddharakhity, 1985). Buddhist Publication Society.

Nietzsche, F. (1883). Twilight of the Idols.

Schreiner, I., Malcolm J. P. (2008). The Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation: Changes in Emotional States of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress. University of Western Australia.