Research and Benefits of Meditation
Benefits of Meditation Therapy
- Promotes physiological and psychological well being. This is possible as meditation brings the brain wave pattern into an alpha state, which is a level of consciousness that promotes the healing.
- It is therapeutic, in the sense, it calms the mind and lowers the blood pressure.
- Meditation can help people with asthma breathe easier.
- It relieves insomnia by calming the mind.
- It cures anxiety and tension. Shallow, rapid breathing turns deep, slow and steady.
- Meditation creates good, positive outlook, which results in positive thinking.
- Reduces pain. Regulates cardio vascular and respiratory function.
- Meditation brings on healing and kindles creativity.
- It increases concentration and improves the inner strength.
- Gives physical and mental strength to face all problems and fight them out successfully.
- Meditation cultivates an analytical mind in the practitioners.
- It is effective in treating chronic and debilitating diseases like allergies or arthritis.
- Increases the memory power, alertness and therefore increases the efficiency of a practitioner.
- One can maintain good health in general as one is bound to lead a stress free life.
- Meditation rejuvenates and refreshes the body and mind.
- Reduces complications in cases of chronic or terminal illnesses.
- Doctors recommend Meditation along with their medicines, to reduce the side effects of drugs and to hasten recovery.
- Controls and cures menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and depression.
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Research on Meditation Therapy
- In 1976, the Australian Psychiatrist Ainslie Meares, reported in the medical journal of Australia, the repression of cancer following intensive meditation.
- Research conducted by R.Keith Wallace at U.C.L.A ON transcendental meditation revealed that during meditation the body gains a state of profound rest. At the same time the brain and mind become more alert and refreshed. He calls this state a restful alertness.
- Research has shown, though meditation is primarily a mental technique, it also brings muscle relaxation. Meditation reduces activity in the nervous system. This is responsible for calming us.
- Anxiety and tension raises the level of lactate in the blood. Lactate is a substance produced by metabolism in the skeletal muscles. During meditation blood lactate levels decreased at a rate four times faster than the rate of decrease in non-meditators.
- Patricia Norris, Ph.D., Director of the Biofeedback and Psychophysiology Clinic at the Menninger Foundation, reports: "In our practice at Menninger we use meditative techniques to enhance immune functioning in cancer, AIDS, and autoimmune patients. We also use meditation in conjunction with neuro-feedback to normalize brain rhythms and chemistry in alcohol and drug addiction, as well as other addictive conditions. Almost all of our patients use meditative techniques in learning self-regulation for disorders such as anxiety and hypertension, and for stress management. We consider meditation a recommended practice for anyone seeking high-level wellness.”
- In addition to the growing body of research literature on meditation, physicians, psychotherapists, and other professionals are increasingly adding meditative techniques to their practice. Over six thousand physicians have begun the practice of Transcendental Meditation and regularly recommend the TM technique to their patients. Dean Ornish, M.D has demonstrated that heart disease can be reversed with a comprehensive program that includes meditations. Many physicians consider meditation a key element of an integrated health program.
