According to the Huffington Post scientific research has
shown the benefit of Mindfulness training in these areas:
- Lowers
stress chemicals in the body
- Lets
us get to know our true selves--you choose your behaviors your are less
reactive
- Can
make your grades better—better focus and attention
- Could
help our troops—helps PTSD
- Help
people with arthritis—helps with pain management
- Changes
the brain in a protective way—increases emotion al hormone balance
- Works
as the brain’s “volume knob”—one gains psychological perspective
- Makes
music sound
- Helps
even when we’re not practicing it—a generalized calm when not meditating
- Has
four elements that help us in different ways—socially, mind, body, spirit
- Could
help your doctor be better at his/her job—he is focused, you are calm
- Makes
you a better person—your decisions are better thought out
- Could
make going through cancer just a little less stressful
- Could
help the elderly feel less lonely
- Could
make your health care bill a little lower—strengthens the immune system
- Comes
in handy during cold season-- strengthens the immune system
- Lowers
depression risk among pregnant women
- Lowers
depression risk among teens
- Supports
your weight-loss goals
- Helps you sleep better
Mindful meditation takes many
forms. Some individuals such as Christian monastics, or Buddhist monks spend
years perfecting their meditations. Many of us would like a meditation recipe
book---Americans love “how to” recipe books. I have been doing my own brand of
meditation for years, which tended to be more like an interior monolog. This
monolog became real meditation when I gave up rehashing negative emotions and
experiences and chose to listen for insight. Prayer is a form of meditation.
Someone once asked Mother
Teresa of Calcutta what prayer she said. Mother Teresa responded she no longer
said prayers---she listened to hear what God was saying.
I’m
not saying we should be able to match Mother Teresa’s meditative abilities. But
the choice to develop mindful meditation practice brings with it a lot of
mind/body/spirit benefits just through an honest effort. Who doesn’t want the
best life you can have?
The
book Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love,
and Wisdom, does have many step by step
activities and, meditations to help you develop your mindfulness skills. You
may not agree with all of the author’s philosophical insights. But the science
is real, although the discussion of brain structures was at times tedious. The
author has a true desire for you to know and accept that you can change your
brain chemistry, emotional outlook, and physical well being for the better.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2319093_do-mindful-meditation.html
Just the list of good stuff makes me want to try it:)
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