Benefits of Meditation
Robert Elias Najemy
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 one’s flow of energy
in order to more effectively face the responsibilities of one’s
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 one’s 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 person’s 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 meditation’s 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 one’s
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 one’s 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 person’s 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.
Robert E. Najemy, author of 25 books and life coach with 30 years
of experience, has trained over 300 life coaches and now does so
over the Internet. Over 600 free articles, lectures, relaxation
and positive projection as mp3 audio. Become a life coach. At
http://www.HolisticHarmony.com/
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