Studies of meditation for health applications

In recent years there has been a growing interest within the medical community to study the physiological effects of meditation (Venkatesh et al., 1997; Peng et al., 1999; Lazar et al., 2000; Carlson et al., 2001). Many concepts of meditation have been applied to clinical settings in order to measure its effect on somatic motor function as well as cardiovascular and respiratory function. Also the hermeneutic and phenomenological aspects of meditation are areas of growing interest. Meditation has entered the mainstream of health care as a method of stress and pain reduction. For example, in an early study in 1972, Transcendental Meditation was shown to affect the human metabolism by lowering the biochemical byproducts of stress, such as lactate, decreasing heart rate and blood pressure and inducing favorable brain waves. (Scientific American 226: 84-90 (1972)).[3] In 1976, the Australian psychiatrist Ainslie Meares, reported in the Medical Journal of Australia, the regression of cancer following intensive meditation. Meares would go on to write a number of books, including his best-seller Relief without Drugs.

As a method of stress reduction, meditation is often used in hospitals in cases of chronic or terminal illness to reduce complications associated with increased stress including a depressed immune system. There is growing agreement in the medical community that mental factors such as stress significantly contribute to a lack of physical health, and there is a growing movement in mainstream science to fund research in this area (e.g. the establishment by the NIH in the U.S. of 5 research centers to research the mind-body aspects of disease.) Dr. James Austin, a neurophysiologist at the University of Colorado, reported that Zen meditation rewires the circuitry of the brain in his landmark book Zen and the Brain (Austin, 1999). This has been confirmed using functional MRI imaging which examines the activity of the brain.

Other studies within this field include the research of Jon Kabat-Zinn and his colleagues at the University of Massachusetts who have studied the effects of mindfulness meditation on stress.

Meditation effects

The purposes for which people meditate vary almost as widely as practices. Meditation may serve simply as a means of relaxation from a busy daily routine; as a technique for cultivating mental discipline; or as a means of gaining insight into the nature of reality, or of communing with one's God. Many report improved concentration, awareness, self-discipline and equanimity through meditation.

Many authorities avoid emphasizing the effects of meditation — sometimes out of modesty, sometimes for fear that the expectation of results might interfere with one's meditation. For theists, the effects of meditation are considered a gift of God or from the Holy Spirit/Ghost, and not something that is "achieved" by the meditator alone, just as some say that a person will not convert to Christianity without the influence of the Holy Spirit/Ghost's presence.

Commonly reported results from meditation include:
Greater faith in, or understanding of, one's religion or beliefs
An increase in patience, compassion, and other virtues and morals or the understanding of them
Feelings of calm or peace, and/or moments of great joy
Consciousness of sin, temptation, and remorse, and a spirit of contrition.
Sensitivity to certain forms of lighting, such as fluorescent lights or computer screens, and sometimes heightened sense-perception.
Surfacing of buried memories.
Experience of spiritual phenomena such as kundalini, extra-sensory perception, or visions of deities, saints, demons, etc.

Some traditions acknowledge that many types of experiences and effects are possible, but instruct the meditator to keep in mind the spiritual purpose of the meditation, and not be distracted by lesser concerns. For example, Mahayana Buddhists are urged to meditate for the sake of "full and perfect enlightenment for all sentient beings" (the bodhisattva vow). Some, as in certain sects of Christianity, say that these things are possible, but are only to be supported if they are to the glory of God.

Origin of Meditation

The word meditation comes from the Latin meditatio, which originally indicated every type of physical or intellectual exercise, then later evolved into the more specific meaning "contemplation." The use of the word meditation in the western Christian tradition has referred generally to a more active practice of reflection on some particular theme such as "meditation on the sufferings of Christ". Similarly in Western philosophy, one finds, for example, Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy, a set of six mental exercises which systematically analyze the nature of reality.

"Meditation" in its modern sense refers to Yogic meditation that originated in India. In the late nineteenth century, Theosophists adopted the word "meditation" to refer to various spiritual practices drawn from Hinduism, Buddhism, and other Eastern religions. Thus the English word "meditation" does not exclusively translate any single term or concept, and can be used to translate words such as the Sanskrit dhyana, samadhi and bhavana.

Meditation is usually defined as one or more of the following:
a state of relaxed concentration on the reality of the present moment
a state that is experienced when the mind dissolves and is free of all thoughts
"concentration in which the attention has been liberated from restlessness and is focused on God."[4]
focusing the mind on a single object (such as a religious statue, or one's breath, or a mantra)
a mental "opening up" to the divine, invoking the guidance of a higher power
reasoned analysis of religious teachings (such as impermanence, for Buddhists).

Meditation may be for a religious purpose, but even before being brought to the West it was used in secular contexts, such as the martial arts. Beginning with the Theosophists, though, meditation has been employed by a number of religious and spiritual movements, such as Yoga and the New Age movement, as well as limited use in Christianity.

From the point of view of psychology, meditation can induce an altered state of consciousness. The goals of meditation are varied, and range from spiritual enlightenment, to the transformation of attitudes, to better cardiovascular health.

Yoga and Meditation

If you've ever seen anyone in their 60's, 70's or 80's who are avid practitioners of yoga you understand the amazing youthful benefits it can provide.

Susan Barclay, a hypnotherapist and exercise instructor, is the producer of "Light Moves" - an exercise video, released in 2005, that uses stretching, balancing and strengthening exercises to strengthen your mind, body, and spirit. She has been involved with the practice and teaching of yoga for years, and says that the concept of agelessness comes from some of the principles of yoga.

The goal of "Light Moves" is to improve flexibility in the mind, body and spirit.
"The secret of Light Moves' power lies in the combination of carefully choreographed moves, specially designed music, and positive statements (called Reflections) that use the transformative energy of your own inner resources."

As we know the physical exercises makes a peson to look good from outside, simillarly the yoga and meditation makes a person beautiful and strong from inside.

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga is the type of yoga which was created and established by a master named K. Pattabhi Jois. Due to it's theory containing eight different limbs, or components, it is also known as "Eight-Limb Yoga". It doesn't imply that the practitioner has a double set of limbs, but master Pattabhi Jois showed that the optimum path of purification is made up of the eight spiritual practices.

The basic idea is that these limbs only can be kept in balance by the appropriate application of the Ashtanga Yoga method.

The first four limbs that symbolize Ashtanga Yoga, and are considered externally correctable are (original names within double quotes):
- Moral codes or "yama"
- Self-purification or "niyama"
- Posture or "asana"
- Breath control or "pranayama"

Then there is the other set of limbs which are the internal practices:
- Sense control or "pratyahara"
- Meditation or "dhyana"
- Concentration or "dharana"
- Contemplation or "samadhi"

The poses are used to fully develop the physical strength and health of the body. It is the sequence of practices that make this possible. There are three postures used in Ashtaga Yoga.

Undestanding Yoga

Yoga is becoming a more and more popular activity in the Western world today. The number of places holding Yoga classes is on the increase and there is a plethora of different types of Yoga. With a choice of Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga and many more it can be easy to get confused.

Here I am trying to solve your cofusion.

Hatha Yoga - in Sanskrit (an ancient classical language of India) “Ha” means “sun” and “tha” means “moon”. This type of Yoga is relatively slow paced, gentle type of Yoga and is a good place to start if you are completely new to Yoga and don't know any of the asanas (poses). Like all types of Yoga, Hatha Yoga aims to unite the mind, body and spirit.

Ashtanga Yoga - this is the type of Yoga that I practice on a regular basis and means “eight limbs” in Sanskrit. It's a fast moving, intense style of Yoga practice and is based on a progressive set sequence of asanas, synchronized with the breath. Ashtanga Yoga can be quite physically demanding as you constantly move from one asana in the sequence to the next, so you'll find that it will improve your stamina as well as your flexibility and strength..

Power Yoga - this is a western interpretation of Yoga and is based on Ashtanga Yoga. A Power Yoga class may not necessarily stick to the exact sequence of poses like Ashtanga Yoga does, but it does involve practicing a series of poses without stopping and starting.

Iyengar Yoga - This type of Yoga is based on teachings by B.K.S Igengar and concentrates on the correct alignment and form of the body. Unlike Ashtanga Yoga, there is an emphasis on holding each pose for a long period of time rather than moving constantly from one pose to the next. Iyengar Yoga uses props such as blocks and straps to help align the body into the different poses.

Vinyasa Yoga - Vinyasa means breath synchronized movement and is another fast paced type of Yoga, with an emphasis on breathing. A practice typically starts with sun salutations and moves on to more intense stretching. Throughout the practice each pose is balanced with a counter pose.

Bikram Yoga - otherwise known as “Hot Yoga”, is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees, with a humidity of around 40%. Generally a sequence of 26 different poses is practiced during a Bikram Yoga class and the hot temperature helps to loosen muscles. Due to the high temperature most people sweat a lot during the class and this helps to cleanse the body of toxins.

If you're just starting out or have never done any Yoga before, I recommend trying a few different types of yoga to find out what you like best.

Remember, there's no rule that says you have to stick to one type of Yoga. I like Ashtanga Yoga best, but I also go to occasional Iyengar and Hatha Yoga classes for a bit of variety.

Meditate and Feel Positive

We are not happy always because there a lot of negative things inside us which restricts to be positive and say

yes

to life. And we are not able to express it anywhere. There is a simple techneque of meditation which is very scientific too.

First of all you have to throw all your negatives and to be completly positive.
For some time be completly negative as negative as you can. Disconnect your self from world. Go in to a dark room where you wiil be alone to become a super negative person. Think you have no way to solve your problems, weep, scream, hit your head in to the walls of the room, listen to a very gloomy music, hide your head into the pillow. Imagine the past when you failed always and at that time don't become at all. Say no to every thing.

After some time suddenly jump out from the negativity. Put on the lights, put on some refreshing music, dance and say yes every thing. Then you will find a difference. The all negativity comes from the society because we trained to do so. You have the energy, but there are some rocks of negativity which are not allowing it to come out and celebrate life. So kick these and enjoy life.

Meditation for concentration

Meditation is not keeps one fit but it also gives the power of attention to that person.

Recent research carried out at the University of Wisconsin-Madison suggests that attention can be improved by meditation - UniWisconsin. Your brain has only a finite amount of power and if you pay close attention to one thing this means you may miss something else. If two visual signals for example are shown a half-second apart, people often don�t see the second one."The attention momentarily goes off-line," says Richard Davidson of the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and the Waisman Center. "Your attention gets stuck on the first target, then you miss the second one." This effect is called "attentional blink," as when you blink your eyes, you are briefly unaware of visual signals.But given that people can sometimes catch the second signal suggests that the limitation is not strictly physical and may be subject to mental control.Davidson's research group in the Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior under the leadership of postdoctoral fellow Heleen Slagte

Self Meditation Technique

Are you looking for an simple self meditation technique? Do you have difficulty controlling your own thoughts? Want to know how to override the negative influences you face daily? Today’s free podcast episode contains quick instructions on how to meditate.

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, is a world proponent of Eastern meditation. Roy Masters begins by commenting about the Dalai Lama’s cooperation with a university’s Buddhist meditation study. Can his technique and even Buddhism be dangerous?
Roy then gives brief directions for using his free guided meditation technique, “Be Still and Know.” This example of self meditation for beginners can be practiced anytime and anywhere. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran with meditation, this audio lesson will provide you the means to sharpen your insight and reduce stress.

Prevent Stress and illness by Meditation

Meditation Technique

For over 45 years, thousands have used this simple technique to overcome stress and illness while improving careers and relationships.

There are many benefits of meditation, one of which is the effortless abandoning of negative emotions like inferiority. On today’s free podcast episode, Scott is calling to ask about how the Be Still and Know meditation technique can be used to overcome his feelings of inferiority. Radio host Roy Masters explains how to use this free daily meditation to face and resolve the inner pain of conscience. Only by dropping our over-indulgence in pleasure and comforts can one gain the benefit of self respect and confidence away from inferiority.
“Meditation establishes a new relationship. Energy becomes available from within, so that we no longer have to wait for fear, irritation or temptation to move us. What we do, say and think is intuitively impelled and friction-free. We grow in a new way—to see more and to respond more to what we perceive. Naturally, without effort, we are impelled to do what we realize is wise and to shrink from what is unwise. In this way we come to rule our own bodies and escape from our old enslavement to pleasure and pain.”

Meditation for a Calm Life

Meditation means different things to different people. Meditation is known to clear our thoughts, help calm nerves and allow you to stay focused. It is also known as a form of raising one's frequency to receive messages from higher sources of light. And for a growing number of people, meditation is about stress reduction.

In our hectic, stress-filled lives meditation is growing in popularity. The moments of relief from thinking about stressors and the calmness created by meditation can be a great stress reducer. This is why meditation can be good for your health.

You can use meditation music to balance the challenges of every day life. Meditation music should be simple and soothing. Listening to meditation music can enhance your mood, relieve stress and help you to relax. The real work of meditation music is to attain harmony of mind, body and spirit.

Music and Meditation for Self Development

When meditating we learn the skills and practice for relaxation. Relaxation helps to prevent pain, get a more restful night of sleep, along with many other things to keep us happy and healthy.

Learning meditation with music is a skill and not an exercise; so don’t expect to see immediate results over night. You will need to make a few changes in your everyday life at least three times a week. Make some goals and use positive thinking to be successful with meditation skills for self-improvement. Remember it took years to get where you are at; so don’t expect as miracle overnight.

Lie down and let yourself drift off somewhere that you’d like to be. Use your positive thinking skills and imagination to help you relax while listening to the music. Once you’ve found the right place to lay and drift let your toes go first. Second let your feet drift off with the toes and your imagination. Keep on letting each part of your body go until you’ve reached your head. Now just lay there and relax.


As you start relaxing your body will begin to feel funny but that is ok because it means your on the way to improving your self-development skills.

It takes about 20 to 30 minutes really to relax for you to notice a difference when you get up. Relaxing with music for meditation to self-development will help you to look forward to facing the next day at whatever you have to do. You will be able to make better decisions because you slept better the night before. It will be easier be around people once you learn self-development skill to be more successful at daily living.

Organic Living through Mediation in Self Development

Organic living is a natural way of living. To reform your mind however you must practice meditation and repetitive or repeating methods to train your mind to start living natural again. This is because each day you live you are influenced by others, which you begin practicing unhealthy living. You can reform this behavior through mediation by guiding your mind to thinking healthy.
Mediation processes are easy. When you are not accustom, to meditation you will need to learn a few realities steps to start living healthier by reconstructing your way of thinking.

You will need to learn a few basic steps to get started. To start the activation process, you must authorize your mind to consider macrobiotic living. Organic methods include yoga practices, diversion, and other helpful packing that will guide you to meditate effectively. Each day you want to practice meditating. Practice direct help you learn effectively to make your body and mind rest easier to reform your way of living by rebuilding your thinking patterns. Once you commence to restore your thinking models, you will commence to listen to your actions, habits, etc, since your behaviors will conversion also.

Once more, your body and mind requires exercise. Preparation is needed, so when you undertake the processes of meditation to self-development, it becomes easier to sharpen your mind.

How to control blood pressure

Following a healthy lifestyle is the best and safest way to control blood pressure.

Keeping blood pressure under control significantly reduces the risk of life threatening complications. To do that it is important to incorporate changes in lifestyle, eating and living habits. Incorporating these techniques will ensure that you live a happier and longer life.

Control your weight:Completely avoid the alcohol, tobacco and caffeine. identify the origins of your stress and deal with them calmly. Practise a asana and pranayam daily to control your weight and improve your tone. Maintain regular sleep patterns. Go to sleep and awake daily at the same time. And if you are a heavy smoker, decrease the count of cigarettes you smoke each day.

Water Therapy: Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water every day. After you get up from bed intake 2-3 glasses of water. Try to avoid drinking water during meal.
Even modern medicine advises that the hypertension should be treated by an increase in the daily water intake. Lack of water intake dehydrate the cells.