Benefits of Meditation
for Individuals and for Society as a Whole
Benefits of Meditation for Individuals and for Society
as a Whole
Robert Elias Najemy
How is Meditation Used Today?
People from all walks of life, in all the countries of the world
belonging to all the possible religions, meditate for a wide variety
of reasons. The same technique offers something different to each
according to his needs and motives. Some of the motives for which
people meditate today are:
1. To relax the body, mind and rejuvenate one1s
flow of energy in order to more effectively face the responsibilities
of one1s demanding and active life.
2. To heal illnesses (especially psychosomatic ones).
3. To overcome emotional problems.
4. To develop a more relaxed and positive view towards life.
5. To develop a peaceful and more clearly functioning mind.
6. For greater ability to penetrate into the core of problems and
find inspirational solutions. This has been found especially useful
by scientists and businessmen.
7. To tune into a creative inspirations for artistic expression.
8. For freeing oneself from addictions such as cigarettes, alcohol,
narcotics and tranquilizers.
9. To purify one1s character.
10. To develop will-power.
11. As a method of self-observation and self-discovery.
12. To develop the latent powers of the mind.
13. To create a relationship with God.
14. To develop an inner relationship with the Divine.
15. For spiritual growth, self-knowledge or enlightenment.
16. To transcend the identification with the body and mind, and
experience spiritual realities.
17. For the ecstasy of union with the Universal Spirit, which is
the essential reality of the universe.
Scientific Research on the Effects of Meditation on the
Body and Personality
Numerous scientific experiments on people who meditate and similar
control groups who do not meditate, have given repeatable results
concerning the effects of meditation on a person1s body and personality.
Most of the following studies have been made on persons practicing
Transcendental Meditation. (However, my personal opinion after 34
years of practicing various forms including T.M., is that most forms
of meditation will give the same results)
1. DEEP PHYSIOLOGICAL REST is shown by a distinct
drop in the metabolism rate, as measured by the oxygen consumption
by an individual in meditation, waking activity, sleep and hypnosis.
2. Another indication of the deep rest is that the number of breaths
needed to be taken each minute during meditation drops significantly.
3. Good news for those with heart problems is that meditation is
also extremely restful and rejuvenating for the heart.
4. Another indication of the deep rest produced by meditation is
the significant drop in the blood lactate level. The lower the lactate
level the more rested and rejuvenated is the muscle tissue.
5. Tests show meditation1s deep calming effect through the decrease
in skin conductivity.
6. Brain wave measurements during meditation show a higher incidence
of alpha waves indicating a restful alertness. There is a sense
of peace and yet a wakeful awareness in one1s environment.
7. Another scientific study showed that meditation induces greater
communication and interaction between the two hemispheres of the
brain.
8. Perhaps the best documented and well known effects of meditation
concern its ability to reduce blood pressure in those with high
blood pressure.
LONG TERM PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES
9. In the long run both the heart rate and breathing rate
develop a slower pace as the body experiences less mental-emotional
stress and learns to waste less energy. The body becomes more relaxed
and more efficient.
10. Persons who meditate experience much
more stable health. They have less illnesses in general in their
lives.
LONG TERM PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES
11. Studies have also shown that those who meditate regularly react
more quickly and more effectively to a stressful event.
12. Meditation also increases one1s perceptual
ability and motor performance.
13. Studies on high school students showed that those who meditated
had a higher «intelligence growth rate» than those who
did not.
14. Memory recall is also enhanced by meditation.
15. Many psychological studies have been made in work environments
concerning meditators and control groups of non-meditators.
Meditators had above average increases in
a. JOB SATISFACTION
b. PRODUCTIVITY,
c. Improvement in their relationships with coworkers
d. Improvement in their relationship with their supervisors.
16. A large number of psychological tests have been done on those
who have been meditating for various periods of time. A test made
on those who had been meditating for only two months in comparison
to non-meditators produced the following results:
a. Meditators had greater inner-directedness than non meditators.
b. They measured higher self acceptance.
c. Greater spontaneity and creativity.
d. Greater self-esteem.
e. An increase in the capacity for intimate contact with loved ones.
f. Less anxiety .
17. Prisoners who stared meditation showed:
a. A marked decrease in mental illness.
b. Their behavior became more socially acceptable.
c. Less anxiety and less aggressiveness.
d. Became inclined to more positive activities such as sports, clubs
and educational activities.
OTHER LONG TERM PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES
18. After 4 to 6 weeks of meditation, meditators with hypertension
have found their blood pressure fall.
19. A group of meditators who had been suffering from bronchial
asthma found significant relief.
20. Meditators checked for their consumption of cigarettes after
starting to meditate showed marked decrease.
21. Meditation significantly reduces ones need for or dependency
on tranquilizers. alcohol and or drugs.
22. Other tests made on meditators show that they need much less
sleep to recover from sleep deprivation.
23. Meditators show significant decrease
in the illness after starting meditation.
24. Meditators showed greatly increased ability to recover from
psychosomatic illnesses.
25. Insomniacs who start meditation require much less time to fall
asleep.
26. A study on athletes showed that, after starting to meditate,
there was an improvement in their performance on various athletic
events as well as their intelligence as measured by intelligence
tests.
27. In one other study it was found that meditation has the tendency
to normalize a person1s weight. That is if he is overweight, he
tends to loose, and if he is underweight, he tends to gain.
SOME CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING THESE RESEARCH STUDIES
The conclusion is obvious.
Meditation increases whatever is good and life supporting in a person.
It strengthens our immune system, harmonizes our endocrine system
and relaxes our nervous system. It creates health and vitality.
On a mental level it develops inner peace, clarity, self-confidence,
self-acceptance, creativity, productivity and eventually greater
self-actualization.
It makes our work environment more satisfactory, improves our relationships
with coworkers, supervisors and subordinates. It makes us more creative,
more responsible and more productive.
On a spiritual level it puts us in contact with our inner voice,
with our inner strength, with our inner spiritual wisdom and love.
Think now, what would happen if many people in our society meditated?
How would it affect our society?
Think what would happen if you meditated daily.
If we care for our bodies and minds,
they will care for us.
Be Well
(Robert Elias Najemy's recently released book "The Psychology
of Happiness" (ISBN 0-9710116-0-5) is available at http://www.HolisticHarmony.com/
His writings can be viewed at http://www.HolisticHarmony.com
where you can also download FREE articles and e-books.)
Subscribe
to Magnetic News!
Don't worry--your email address
is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you "Magnetic
News.
©Copyright Law of Attraction Info 2004-2007 All rights Reserved. A Law of Attraction website. |
