When it comes to mindfulness, there are people who still think that meditation is the domain of free spirits who enjoy zoning out on a carpet of grass.
The truth, however, couldn’t be any further. These life-changing methods have been around for thousands of years, and virtually every spiritual path involves them in one way or another.
Although rooted in Buddhism, mindfulness meditation as practiced today is accessible to people of all backgrounds and religions. Despite its extraordinary popularity, you may be wondering, why should I even consider it?
People who meditate generally live happier lives than those who do not. Meditation is known to improve the flow of constructive thoughts and positive emotions. Even a few minutes of regular meditation can make a big difference.
Scientific evidence supports this claim: a group of Buddhist monks was extensively studied while meditating. The prefrontal cortex, which is the part associated with happiness, of the monks' brains was found to be more active.
Meditation helps you overcome anxiety, stress, and depression. The transformative potential of meditation should not be underestimated. Research from the University of Wisconsin has shown that meditation has a physical effect on the brain.
For example, the researchers found that the part of the brain that controls stress and anxiety reduced when meditation was practiced regularly.
By focusing on moment-to-moment experiences, meditators are training the mind to remain calm, even in stressful situations. At the same time, they experience significantly less anxiety due to uncertainty about the future.
While meditation is an important part of most world religions, you do not have to be religious to practice meditation.
This is good news for the one in five Americans who describe themselves as spiritual but not religious. Additionally, in January 2018, the Pew Research Centre published results showing how meditation has become mainstream in the United States, regardless of religious affiliation.
The many health benefits of meditation are another important reason to adopt it. Some people may soon begin to realize some of the benefits.
Feelings of peace and calmness are common experiences, even if it is subtle. In an article published in Forbes Online, attorney Gina Cho lists six scientifically-proven benefits you may not expect from meditation, including a reduction in underlying race and age bias.
Insomnia is a troublesome condition: everyone is afraid of a sleepless night. Sadly, one-third of the American population suffers from some form of sleep deprivation, either occasional or chronic.
If you are one of the unlucky people staring at the ceiling and counting the sheep all night to no avail, then meditation may be the solution.
In addition to increasing your happiness and improving your overall health, meditation also helps sharpen your memory and stabilize your concentration.
With mindfulness meditation, you train yourself to be endlessly aware of the present moment. As a result, you are less likely to be distracted. Just another reason why you should meditate.
If you are reading this, it is clear that you are interested in the practice of meditation and its results: experiencing true happiness and well-being.
To reap the benefits, always learn meditation from experts and many also turn to full-time meditation instructor as this is a great way to enhance their own lives as well as help others realize their own potential.