From East to West: Two Worlds Sharing in the Universal Benefits of Meditation

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From East to West: Two Worlds Sharing in the Universal Benefits of Meditation

When an individual makes the effort to train his or her mind as an end in itself or as a means to an end, this person engages in some form of meditation. A person is also engage in this practice when he or she concentrate the mind and take it to the next level. Meditation encompasses many different methods, which involve the induction of a mode of consciousness.


A variety of practices

The word “meditation” is a general term that has different meanings depending on the context. It is also different in so many ways depending on its origin. Although this is the case, the end goal is the same. The practice of meditation involves an internal effort by a person to regulate his mind and emotion based on religious tenets or established traditions.
Meditation connotes a broad spectrum or practices. Some meditation techniques are designed primarily to de-stress and promote relaxation. Others forms are specifically performed in order for the practitioner to develop qualities such as patience, compassion, and generosity. There are also forms of meditation designed to build life force of energy. Another form of meditation seeks to sustain a level of concentration that develops a sense of well-being so formidable that the person effortlessly functions with this kind of focus in everyday life. Meditation is also being used to cure specific disease and problem related to health. This link is a video on some of the many types of meditation.

 

From East to West

The first meditative tradition to be introduced to Western cultures and practiced by the masses is TM or transcendental meditation. Transcendental meditation has been the subject of scientific inquiry in more than 20 countries in the effort to determine the mechanisms behind the benefits of practicing the method. About 50 studies revealed that the same physiologic responses that lead to body relaxation are produced in transcendental meditation.
The Indian spiritual teacher Maharishi Mahesh Yogi introduced the practice of transcendental meditation to Western cultures. Because of his pioneering work, millions of people have already received training. From a solely religious practice in ancient Eastern cultures, people like Maharishi Mahesh Yogi serve as a bridge between East and West. Now, millions of people are experiencing the many health benefits of practicing secular meditative practices such as transcendental meditation.

Benefits of meditation in daily living

Another popular form of meditation, Zen meditation used to be the sole province of monastic monks hidden in mountain retreats. Today, ordinary men and women can benefit not only from performing the activity of meditation itself, but also from following the teachings that serve as foundations for the approach. For instance, mind-sitting can be practiced by anyone in situations of daily living. Mind-sitting is an essential element of Zen meditation, and simplified, it is about “not moving” in every situation, no matter how routine or mundane. This gives rise to the “correct function,” “correct situation” and “correct relationship” by exercising great compassion and love.
The benefits of meditation go beyond achieving relaxation, mental acuity, and peace of mind. Sufferers of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression benefit from the stillness and clarity that meditation brings forth. It is often recommended by doctors who specialize in disease. There are also physiologic effects associated with meditation, which extends its benefits to physical. Below is a link to a video that tells more about the benefits of meditation.

5 Amazing Benefits of Daily Meditation

Author: Ericka Bates

Hello! I'm Ericka Bates. I am a wife and mother of 2. Totally nosey with the ability to read. Therefore a great researcher. Things I like to look into autism treatments, health, meditation, and personal development. In much of my findings with autism, stress came up a lot. Stress turned out to be the cause for most health problems. Know what can defeat stress? Meditation! Meditation is not only a great way to get rid of stress, but it's also used to reduce anxiety, depression, anger, lower blood pressure and increase your creativity. There are many forms of meditation and right now I am actively practicing 4. I sit quietly and watch my breath. At first this was hard. My mind kept wondering, I was sitting in thought. Now my mind still wonders some, but I think that I'm getting the hang of it. Hey, practice makes perfect right. Walking is my favorite form of meditation. I listen to a podcast while walking and when I'm done I feel relaxed. Gratefulness or Gratitude is another good one. When I get upset, I stop and think okay, what's five things that's good about this situation. This calms me down and makes me feel better. Like the saying goes happiness is a choice and I wanna be happy. Happiness just doesn't show up you have to produces that kind of energy for yourself. Visualization is the fourth form of meditation I practice. I have a vision board with pictures of the things I want and the things I want to do. The pictures are fun to find, cut out, arrange, pin up and their nice to look at every day. Because your only choosing the things you like and want to do makes this form of meditation a joy to have in your life. It wasn't hard making meditation a part of my every day life. Now I feel that meditation is the foundation to anyone's personal development. Hopefully you'll find a form or forms of meditation that's just right for you too.

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