Meditation as a contemplative and restorative method has been practiced for millennia, across many countries and cultures. Over the past 100 years or so, scientific studies confirm the many benefits of meditation, including physical, mental and social health.
There are a number of methods and techniques of meditation, depending on purpose or intention. In particular, mindfulness meditation has become a popular secular practice in the West, as a valuable way to deal with the many challenges, stressors and distractions of modern life that can affect health, happiness and well-being.
In essence, meditation is quite a simple practice of relaxation, learning to let go of distractions and to focus the mind in the present moment, with kindness and without judgement. Mastering this technique alone can be very beneficial. From this foundation there are other useful methods that can be practiced, depending on specific personal needs or intentions.
Meditation and Health
Scientific research shows that a regular meditation practice can support better physical and mental health as well as improve relationships and social interaction.
- Physiological benefits: promotes muscle relaxation; reduces stress and anxiety; lowers blood pressure; lowers cholesterol; boosts immune system; improves tolerance to pain; builds more brain cells, increases longevity.
- Mental benefits: improves mood; lessens emotional reactivity and impulsiveness; reduces rumination and the inner critic; heightens perception and clarity; promotes greater calm and peace of mind; promotes kindness, empathy and happiness; builds resilience.
- Social benefits: improves communication; enhances relationships; improves intimacy; promotes social connection and interaction.
Meditation and Happiness
Feelings of pleasure, happiness and well-being are essential to ensure that everything necessary for our survival make us feel good. From a neuro-scientific perspective, our moods or emotions come down to body chemistry – specifically neuro-chemicals or neurotransmitters which are produced in the brain in response to other activities in the brain. Meditation is one way to promote the release of ‘feel good’ chemicals in the body, increasing our capacity for happiness and reducing our innate tendency towards negativity.
Meditation and Creativity
Meditation can be a great tool for enhancing creativity. It can help to de-clutter our thoughts and feelings, filter out distractions, silence the internal critic and open up that powerfully creative subconscious mind. Different techniques can be applied to help with problem solving, to stimulate creative thinking and new possibilities, or to experience a seamless sense of creative flow. For workshop outlines see: “Awakening the Creative Mind”.
Meditation and Spirituality
Many thousands of years ago meditation was a common contemplative and spiritual pursuit, spanning many countries and cultures. It still is today, if that’s the chosen pathway. The spread of meditation into the West and the advent of significant scientific research has seen meditation also adopted and flourish as a secular practice. It’s not necessary to be religious or spiritual to experience the many benefits that regular meditation can offer. The popular Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR) blends ancient methods of meditation, yoga and tai chi with modern psychology and neuroscience to help people around the world who are experiencing stress, anxiety, pain and trauma. For those interested in meditation as a spiritual practice there are number of options available.
Meditation Services
Here and Now Mind offers live or online group workshops or individual coaching in mindfulness and other meditation techniques to help with health, happiness and creativity. Contact Stephen for an obligation free discussion.
Registered in Australia as an accredited provider of meditation services with the peak body, Meditation Australia.
For more information please contact me using this form – Contact Form
Meditation Resources
Guided Meditations- Tara Brach
Mindfulness 30 day Course – Tara Brach (Free)