Swami Vishnudevananda Saraswati
What is Meditation
Meditation is a technique for resting the mind and attaining a state of consciousness. Meditation is the practice of constant observation of the mind to discover the infinite knowledge and wisdom within oneself. Positive thinking and meditation are the keys to peace of mind. Meditation is the method used to calm and focus the mind.
Regular practice promotes not only mental equanimity, but physical and spiritual well-being as well. Before we can meditate, though, we need to center the mind through concentration techniques and positive thinking. A mind full of negative thoughts and feelings is hard to calm down. By controlling the movements of the mind, we can eliminate negative thought patterns and reach the meditative super-conscious state
Meditation is a state of consciousness that can only be understood through direct experience and intuition. Unlike our everyday experiences, which are limited by time, space and by the laws of causality, the state of meditation transcends all limitations. In meditation, past and future dissolve. What remains is the single consciousness of ‘I am’ in the endless, eternal Now.
The Benefits of Practicing Meditation
Eases symptoms of anxiety, depression, psychological distress, anger and hostility
Promotes emotional health
Reduces levels of stress
Helps control pain
Lengthens attention span
Helps with insomnia
Reduces blood pressure
Lowers cholesterol
Reduces activity in the craving-related area of the brain
Improves pain related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Enhances immune system function
Keeps the body youthful and prevents early aging
Creates happiness and harmony
Reduces age-related memory loss
Creates new patterns of thinking
Helps fight addictions
Article posted by Anson Bingham for www.ansonbinghamyoga.com
Source: yogaalliance.com, sivananda.org, dlshq.org, sivanandaonline.org