Why Buddha smiling? Because it finally happened: Meditation is the mainstream. Of course, the true “spirit of Buddha” is a reason to smile from within and is said to be concerned about trivialities of space-time, as cultural trends, but certainly the “enlightened” among us, whoever he is, must be encouraged that are being incorporated into the meditation boards of corporate America, taught at the YMCA introduced for school children around the world and also with the support of the military. Mindfulness, zen, transcendental meditation technique and many other practices have become household words. Hundreds of peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated the efficacy of meditation to improve health, prevent disease, accelerate personal growth and even reverse aging. But with so many different methods of meditation available, how to choose the right technique, meditation effective for you or your family? Here are some tips for saving time for a long time meditator and meditation teacher for 35 years to help evaluate that meditation might be better for you. Meditation techniques are not all alike! The first step is to recognize that not all meditation techniques are the same. mind meditation practices participate in different ways. Vipassna, also commonly (and perhaps vaguely) known as mindfulness meditation, emphasizes dispassionate observation, and in his contemplation of impermanence more philosophical, at times focuses on the interconnection between mind and body. Zen Buddhist practices are likely to use the merger is aimed at trying to catch his breath or a Zen koan. The Transcendental Meditation technique uses attention without effort to experience the subtle state of thought and “approved” through the use of a specialist mantra. Christian Centering prayer uses an expression of worship to encourage receptivity to God this is just a small example of the variety of practices commonly known as “meditation.” Different techniques have different objectives, using a variety of procedures and, of course, produce different results. To determine which technique between this variety of practices can better meet their goals, they begin to do what you want of meditation, and how long you are willing to give. Some programs emphasize regular practice of meditation or twice a day with time to obtain the maximum benefit and develop into higher stages of personal growth, while other practices are aimed at encouraging the occasional inspiration or cold when stressed. Another question we must ask: do you want a practice of meditation that comes with a religion, philosophy or lifestyle? Many of the practices, as a Buddhist, and Taoist practices are closely linked in a conceptual world view is a complex part of the practice, whether it is an approach that covers the cosmos and the human mind as indivisible elements in a single order, or a worldview that strives to go beyond all dogma and see the world as it really is another world view mental conceived. Practices such as meditation and mindfulness as popular in the West, or the Transcendental Meditation technique are secular in nature and can be practiced without embracing any philosophy, religion or lifestyle. Looking for inspiration and ideas for the experience of meditation? Meditations that fall into this category are contemplative techniques. They promise a greater depth of understanding on the issue is referred to the arm and helps to understand different ways of thinking. This type of meditation can be enjoyable and emotionally uplifting, especially if there is no effort or mind control involved. Often, these practices are carried out with the help of a CD, instructor or from a book. A scientific approach: Looking for a certain health benefits such as reduced anxiety or low blood pressure? Although advocates of meditation practices have more right to health, these statements often cite the benefits that scientific research is actually conducted in other forms of meditation did not promote the practice. However, research has clearly shown that meditation not all give the same results. [1] If you choose a meditation for a specific health benefit, please use the search and finds that a particular benefit has actually been done on the specific technique of meditation and not in any other practice. While you are reviewing the research, ensuring the study was reviewed and published in a scientific journal or academic reputation. If a study showing that a specific advantage, such as deep relaxation or reduce anxiety, has been replicated in several research studies on the same practice, then science is more exciting. When it comes to reducing stress and anxiety, scientists have found once again that all meditation practices are not as effective. The hiring practices concentrations were found to actually increase anxiety, and the goal of the study found that most meditation techniques are more effective than placebo in reducing anxiety. [2] The need of meditation reduce blood pressure? The Transcendental Meditation technique is the only mind / body practice that has been demonstrated in independent clinical studies and meta-analysis significantly lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients. [3] In determining whether a particular form of meditation has scientific evidence to support a specific service, you can do a search on PubMed or academic through the Google search engine, Google Scholar. There are over a thousand peer-reviewed studies on the various forms of meditation, using the Transcendental Meditation technique and practice of mindfulness meditation is the most thorough research, respectively. How long have you been? Another consideration is how long it takes to master a particular technique of meditation. Some meditation practices require many years to master and to achieve its stated purpose, or even an idea of the meta-practices while others may have only a few months or even a few minutes to produce the expected results. For example, relaxation CDs can have an immediate calming effect, can not be nirvana, but in some cases relaxation is all that is promised. If you do not have the patience to persist in a practice that takes many years to succeed, it makes sense to choose a technique that requires less effort or not. In this sense, whether the practice of meditation is considering requiring the ability to concentrate? If you have difficulty concentrating for long periods, or ADHD, can be frustrating to grope for a type of concentration meditation. Remember, the scientific findings indicate that, in fact, the techniques of concentration, although the approach can be improved in some cases, can increase stress and anxiety. [4] Meditation and the Brain: meditation to improve brain function? There are different types of meditation CD in Internet commerce, as “scientific technology” to improve your brain. If you look beyond the marketing slogan (“like Monaco deep Zen meditation, now!”) To see if there are peer-reviewed studies as checking credit, do not be surprised if any. This does not mean that the CD will not improve your brain, maybe, but I dare recommend unproven methods, especially when it pretends to be science when they are not. Speaking of deep Zen meditation as Monaco, researchers have reported alpha brain EEG coherence in the frontal area of the brain during meditation, Zen, and in the Transcendental Meditation technique (EEG shows consistency throughout the entire brain). Neuroscientists theorize this has a positive effect, since the prefrontal cortex (PFC) ‘see’ the whole brain, and have a more consistent PFC should improve the overall performance of the brain. So there is evidence from neuroscience that the practices of meditation can be good for your brain. If the record flood of meditation in the market to support a better functioning of the brain to show how the prefrontal alpha EEG coherence, which might give some credibility to their promises to improve brain function. Advances in neuroscience in recent years, the arrival of new scientific models of the brain during meditation, soon may expose the developing brain’s complaints as true or false based on what happens in the brain during meditation. Meditate to relax: If it is relaxation you want, research shows that the relaxation response of the body can be induced in many ways, even while sitting with eyes closed and listen to relaxing music. Because of the close connection between mind and body, the deeper you go into meditation and your mind becomes more constant, is the deepest state of rest for the body. The practice of contemplation, one of the main categories of meditation practices, concentration techniques, as have their own special and distinct effects on the mind and body. As the practice of contemplation and concentration to keep his mind occupied, engaged in a particular activity or mental task are no longer adequate to solve the mind inward and thus will not lead the deepest rest and rejuvenation for the body. Some methods, such as the relaxation response, Christian prayer centering, relaxation CDs or often use a mixture of both contemplation and concentration, depending on how you approach your practice. Warning: There is no evidence that the knowledge of contemplation or concentration since they actually lower your blood pressure or significantly reduce anxiety. Pop CD of meditation that do not require much active participation of mind especially those who do not use voice guided instructions to keep your mind on the scope of the meaning and contemplation, may be the best option if you want a little relaxation and a slight little emotional lift. I say “sweet relaxation” as a meta-study of all available studies on the levels of relaxation for the mind-body practice shows that most of the practices of meditation, including relaxation techniques, relaxation does not offer more than one simple physiological resting eyes closed. [6] If you really want a deep relaxation, you need a meditation practice that leads to deeper level, more transcendental ego. Secular or lay: Some meditation practices may conflict with their religion or belief. The practice of meditation, even if they are in almost all religions, has been mostly linked to the traditions of the East. Some of these practices require adherence to the beliefs of Eastern philosophy, while others are simply mechanical practices (such as watching the breath), extracted from cultures and applied to the entire world. Of course, the East has much to offer to the West and vice versa, and most people find the possibility of integrating the practice of Eastern meditation derived from an ancient tradition, without sacrificing their own belief system. Never felt this way! A practical consideration: you have to sit in one specified position to do a particular meditation practice? The popular image of a meditation in half with his legs crossed in lotus position can have the complete thought, “I could never do that.” Do not be discouraged. Although you can not sit like a pretzel or a long period without support, there are meditation practices that do not require any particular position and are better practiced in the home more comfortable easier. Some forms of Zen and knowledge are still practiced walking! Selecting a master: You need a meditation teacher or guru? This may depend on the depth or height to which we aspire. More states of meditation are not so easy to achieve by teaching the techniques learned from a book or a CD. The act of reading and self-instruction can interfere with their innocence and ability to go beyond the surface layers of the mind active. This requirement of innocence during meditation is beautifully illustrated in the classic little book entitled “Zen Mind, Beginner Mind” by Shunryu Suzuki. It can be a challenge to be innocent when you are playing at the same time the role of teachers with experience and diligent student. And then the question arises: how I can know if I’m doing right? Without the expert guidance of an experienced teacher who knows how to promote? In the great tradition of lighting, such as Buddhism, Taoism and the Vedic tradition, meditation taught by the sages who were sent only to students who preformed austerity and showed enough ability and receptiveness to learning. The act of “initiation” was considered sacred and the student showed great reverence for education. King would give half of their kingdoms or more to charity, just to earn the honor of studying with a meditation teacher, hoping to attain liberation or enlightenment, awakening fully the true nature of life. Such was the esteem for meditation in ancient times. In these days, although many people can profess to be teachers of meditation, they may not have the experience you are looking for if you are serious about meditation practice and is committed to gain a higher awareness and enlightenment. Check the credentials of teachers and educational level. If the instructor is a venerable tradition of meditation? Teacher support is the purity and effectiveness of the tried and tested procedures? The teacher is directly connected to the line of a great teacher to those illustrated in the correct instructions for the effective practice? How much should I pay? Some people argue that because meditation is a spiritual practice should be given free of charge, and in many cases it is. You can take a meditation technique as part of many yoga classes, a library book or a CD for a friend. But many meditation courses require a course fee. Some teachers of meditation to recharge offer that includes a structured monitoring and support staff, so is the head and education costs. Remember the wise saying: you get what you pay for. If you are looking for regular group meetings in a meditation center and constant monitoring, you may have to pay for this equipment. It is not unspiritual to pay for a service that directly benefits their health and welfare of all. In the West, where materialism dominates, is new to think about paying for something we can not hold in our hands. If cost is an obstacle to learning meditation, observation of the cost-effectiveness of practice and what will bring in terms of health savings and greater efficiency and quality of life. And look what the organization does with the money, the organization can be a legitimate non-profit to support a humanitarian cause, he agreed, as the promotion of world peace. Deliberate and-Jump in! The bottom line: Evaluate your personal needs and the desire to integrate meditation into your life. Be realistic about your abilities and needs of the practice. Do your homework, meditation programs no longer have a website. And if you know someone who practices a type of meditation that interests you, ask for a personal testimony. Evaluate claims and scientific evidence behind these allegations, if any. Check the history of education and organization. Then join the millions who turn to change themselves and the world. 1. Orme-Johnson, DW, and Walton, K. (1998), “All approaches to prevention are not the same,” American Journal of Health Promotion, May / June, [5]: 297-298. 2. Ibid3. Rainforth M, Schneider R, Nidich S, et al: Programs to reduce stress in patients with high blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Current Hypertension Reports [9], 520-528, 20 074. Eppley, Abrams, and Shear, Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45, 957-974, 1989. 5. International Journal of Neuroscience 14: 147-151, 1981; Psychosomatic Medicine 46: 267-276, 1984 International Journal of Neuroscience 46: 1977-1986, 1989, International Journal of Neuroscience 13: 211-217, 1981, 15: 151 – 157, 1981, scientific research on Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi Programme: Collected Papers, Volume 1: 208-212, 1977, Volume 4: 2245-2266, 1989. 6. Eppley, Abrams, and Shear, Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45, 957-974, 1989.
Tom Ball earned a degree in Western philosophy by Maharishi
University of Management, an MA in creative writing at ColumbiaUniversity, and a Ph.D. in Peace Studies at the University Maharishi European Research Area. He enjoyed a career filled with lectures and meditation teacher in the United States and around the world and is a producer of David Lynch
Foundation. Doctors on MeditationPubMed