meditation

 

what are the benefits of meditation?

 

Meditation is supposed to be good for you. Is this true? Over the past 40 years, dozens of universities in the United States, Europe and India have conducted hundreds of studies on the effects of meditation on human physiology and behaviour.11_MEDITATION.jpg

Research results point to meditation as producing benefits on many levels of life simultaneously – body, emotions, mental functioning, and relationships, such as;

  • Enhanced Mental Agility
  • Offers Peace and Wellbeing
  • Helps reduce heart disease
  • Improved Ability to Focus
  • Builds self confidence
  • Increased Creativity
  • Enhances Energy, Strength & Vigour
  • Offers Direction and Purpose
  • Greater Clarity
  • Reduces Anxiety Attacks as it Lowers the levels of Blood Lactate
  • Improved Perception and Memory
  • Development of Intelligence
  • Decrease in Stress Hormone
  • Lower Blood Pressure
  • Slowing of Aging Process
  • Helps with Weight Loss
  • Enhances a Spiritual Awareness
  • Better Self Esteem
  • Aids Freedom from Addictions
  • Better Work Performance
  • Improved Relationships
  • Creates a State of Deep Relaxation
  • General Feeling of Wellbeing
  • Improved all-round Health
  • Increases Serotonin which influences moods and behaviour (Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, headaches and insomnia).

The above benefits are incrementally gained through a regular practice, even from 15 – 20 minutes a day! Some notable changes will become immediately apparent, the effects of which create a sense of greater peace and calm.

what is meditation?

While some people may have visions of monks in far off lands sitting together in silence when they think about meditation, meditation is actually becoming a practice that is quite popular in the Western world among people from all walks of life. If you are not familiar with meditation, you may still be wondering, “What is meditation? Meditation is an approach that anyone can use to help them cope with medical problems, stress, and anxiety.

Ultimately meditation was recognised as a means of personal development, not just a healthy psychological approach to wellbeing, but for spiritual means; to develop a refined sensibility for the purposes of higher reflection, action and liberation from the world of imprisoning habits, thoughts and emotions.

Simon from Inspiring Change has himself been meditating as part of his own development plan for well over 20 years, and been teaching it to groups and on retreats for 15 years. He can offer you:

  • One to one meditation instruction
  • Guided meditations as a part of your coaching session
  • Guided relaxations

local meditation groups

If you wish to learn and develop a regular practice, within the supportive conditions of a group, there are 3 Tara Meditation groups within the Mayo area (Belmullet, Ballina and Westport)

Belmullet: Meet @ Teach Tara, Tallagh Hill, 7.15, on a Tuesday.
Westport: Meet @ The Natural Therapy Centre, Distillary Road, 7.15, on a Wednesday
Ballina: Meet @ The Casement Centre, Near the Post Office, 7.15, on a Thursday

For more information on meditation groups in your locality, go to www.tarameditation.com or email info@tarameditation.com or call 0872171273

further information

For more information for meditation web resources (CDs and Books etc) go to www.wildmind.org
For more information on free meditation talks and CD’s go to www.freebuddhistaudio.com
For more information on Buddhist Meditation and groups internationally go to www.fwbo.org

meditation 'leads to longer life'

'The Beatles were right…. A new study shows that meditation, made famous when the fab four dabbled with it in the late 60s, can reduce death rates by nearly a quarter.

Robert Schneider, who led the research, said: "The study found that in older people with mild high blood pressure, those practising meditation had a 23% lower risk of death from all causes."

The study was funded by the US government and the results appear in the American Journal of Cardiology. The study pooled the findings of two previous trials that followed 202 elderly people in the US over 18 years. Some practised meditation, while others tried different techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation.

The meditation group had 30% fewer deaths from heart disease and 49% fewer from cancer.

Edited highlights from David Adam’s Article (Science correspondent, The Guardian) 2nd May 2005.