Why is Meditation Essential?
Mention the word "meditation", and most people automatically think "impractical", "boring", "flaky". One has visions of austere religious eccentrics chanting "Om" while sitting in excruciatingly uncomfortable positions for hours on end.
EVERYONE does it! Almost everyone indulges in meditation periodically. However, you may call it "visualization". Most people do not realize how often they do it without even being aware...
Have you ever gazed out a window and let your mind wander? Have you ever taken a nap and awoke with the answer to a problem? Do you fantasize sometimes? Have you ever driven your car somewhere and lost track of how you got there? Do you dream at night? Do you pray? Have you ever had an emotional response to music?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have meditated! Feels good, doesn't it?...Perfectly normal and healthy, too!
HOW does it work? Conscious thought, often referred to as left brain analysis, produces Beta brain waves oscillating at 12-14 cycles per second. At the opposite end of the scale are Delta brain waves oscillating at 3.5-5 cycles per second.
Delta occurs in deepest sleep or trance. During this time the body repairs and regenerates itself both pysically and psychologically.
Alpha brain waves occur during our dream state and when we are doing something involving our senses, emotions or creativity. Actually oscillating through four short stages, these brain waves range from 7.8-13 cycles per second. They de-code the Delta state. Hypnosis uses Alpha state as a means for accessing information and re-programming the brain.
A combined Alpha-Beta state of 11-13 cycles per second provides an ideal balance between the creative right brain, and the analytical left brain. At 7.8 we are in perfect harmony with the earth's vibration of 7.8 cycles per second. It is rather like hacking directly into the universe's software! This opens us to wisdom and inspiration far beyond analytical modes.
What Meditation does for you Do you want to be more creative? Would you like your body to heal faster and more completely? Are you looking for wisdom that extends beyond the limitation of book learning? Do you want to discover what your soul truly longs for? Meditation or visualization is a vehicle for deliberately accessing this.
It is a direct link to the right brain. The subconscious mind is at home here. This hemisphere of the brain is so powerful it can process up to 1200 thoughts per second!
Breathing becomes focused and deeper during meditation. This is an important benefit, because during the day, tension, stress and emotional or physical pain cause us to hold our breath or to breathe into only the upper part of our lungs. As a result, we deprive ourselves of oxygen. This decreases our vitality, elevates pH levels and makes us succeptible to illness.
When we breath consciously and deliberately we inhale slowly and deeply, using all of our lungs. This oxygenates the whole body, including the brain. With sufficient oxygen, muscles and body tissues begin to relax. Pain dissipates. The body becomes more alkaline. The brain activates.
How do you achieve Alpha State? Many people give up on meditation because they find it too hard to keep their mind from wandering or thinking about problems. The key to meditating is to understand that you are not trying to shut off the mind. You are trying to focus and direct your thoughts through the right brain.
The easiest way to do this is to invoke your senses. The right brain's function is to receive sensory input from our environment. Simply give it a job to do and it will take over all on its own!
Incense or aromatherapy, a darkened room bathed in soft candle light, gentle music are all the tools of meditation. They overwhelm the senses! When this occurs, the analytical left brain is kept busy interpreting the sensory input instead of thinking. Focus results.
Guided meditations are the best way to begin. They often take only about 20 minutes. The soothing voice of the meditation director, whether live or recorded, will relax you and keep your attention on following specific instructions. Listening keeps your mind from wandering. You will be asked to visualize specific scenes or sensations. Again, this invokes the right brain
Try to sit up rather than recline for the first few times you meditate. Otherwise, you may tend to fall asleep! Be certain you are warm and comfortable, with both feet flat on the floor. Place your hands on your lap with both palms up. This will open you to receive information as well as help you release emotional issues. Then, simply follow the instructions given.
Occasionally you may lose conscious awareness. As long as your awareness quickly returns when directed to come out of the meditative state, you have remained in Alpha state and derived its benefits. If you awaken long after the tape or meditation has ended, you merely fell asleep.
Many people achieve deeper meditative states when in a group environment. Provided that you have compatability and a rapport with a group and its leader, groups foster a deeper trust in yourself as well as safety and synergy.
There are many methods of achieving Alpha state. In spite of intimidating names, the premise is all the same. Primordial meditation uses chanting to focus attention and breathing. Repeating the sounds of "Om", "Hu" or "A-e-i-o-u" requires deep, powerful breaths resonating from deep within the diaphram. The vibration of the sound is felt throughout the body. Oxygen levels increase. A state of expansion and euphoria results.
Transcendental meditation uses a mantra to create focus and condition the mind. This can be a word or phrase that has significance. It acts much like an affirmation.
Yoga, Tai Chi and Qi Gong are often referred to as moving meditations. Concentration is focused on breathing, deliberate movement and directing energy.
Whether your goal is relaxation, higher states of consciousness, problem-solving or heightened creativity, invoking Alpha state is one of the best health practices you can adopt. It spans the bridges of culture, education and gender, allowing you to access your most vital, happy and creative self. A twenty minute meditation can do as much for you as eight hours of sleep!
(c) Article reprinted from Beyond Reason Magazine. For permission to use please contact MediaArt mediaart@cogeco.ca
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