Does Meditation Relaxes our Mind and Body?Meditation really works like magic in reducing stress. Once you get to know the reality of stress, it becomes easier to counter control it. Stress is in fact exhibited by the body as a physiological reaction to certain phenomenon that the mind considers as dangerous or hazardous. In order to overcome such dangers perceived by the mind, meditation is an effective natural way to balance the emotional, mental and physical states of a person under stress. Let us see how meditation can be used to fight against stress: 1. Role of meditation in stress reduction 2. Five stages of meditation 3. Other types of meditation
Regular meditation practice makes a person well balanced not only in his mental and emotional states but helps keeping a physically healthy body. Although nowadays meditation and stress are inter related, the history of meditation, when traced back, leads to its religious origin. Meditation was usually practiced by the people of Hindu belief. The Sufis also developed it in their own independent way through varied stages of meditation. Especially in Oriental religions like Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism, meditation is commonly practiced. Much later the meditation was also practiced for non-religious purposes like fitness exercise, martial arts and as a treatment towards health. Such practices are attracting more and more people recently due to their stress relieving nature.
DEFINITION OF MEDITATION: It is rather hard to set a precise and concise definition of meditation since it is being used in a variety of contexts. Literally, meditation signifies contemplating or focusing. However, we may define the term meditation under different contexts as follows: - Psychologically speaking, meditation is an altered level of consciousness. - Technically, it is a physical or intellectual exercise. - Religiously, it means to reach the deeper levels of mind. Therefore, we may define the word meditation in simple words as a process during which a person concentrates his mind and focuses it either on an object or an idea by trying to eliminate any other idea or object from his mind. The focal point in a meditation exercise can be a person’s own breath, touch sensation, visual sensation, and his thoughts, chanting mantras or holy words like ‘OM’. When the person focuses his mind on any of the above-mentioned areas, he in fact eliminates all other objects and ideas, and hence feels relaxed and in peace. The well known fact is that an object is made up of five elements that include: Water, fire, sir, earth and space. The more he concentrates and focuses on the finer aspects of these things; he attains a state of self-realization. Further he moves to the deeper levels of meditation, more and more of spiritual implications surround him.
VARIOUS STEPS TO CARRY OUT MEDITATION: 1. Sit straight and erect, in a comfortable position. 2. Close your eyes. 3. Concentrate on breathing, or any other object or any sound or voice. 4. Breathe deeply and slowly. 5. Continue for 10-20 minutes.
This method reduces all thoughts and worries by shifting your focus on a particular object and you will find yourself in a relaxed and tensionless state. Other effects that can also be obtained through the meditation exercise: o High level of patience is attained. o Increased compassion. o Old memories of the previous birth may get revived. o Extra sensory perceptions get better activated. o Levitation or yogic flying levels can also be reached.
There is no use of drug in current meditation practices; however some old methods used drugs like LSD and other substances like Bhang, coffee or tea in order to stimulate the brain cells.
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