part0009

Meditation was barely recognized by Westerners until an Indian yoga teacher named Maharishi Mahesh Yogi introduced Transcendental Meditation (TM) to the United States in 1959. The meditation presented by Maharishi to Americans used a mantra that helped to stimulate relaxation and transcend conventional thinking.

The Beatles, who studied with Maharishi in India, were a big influence on the growing popularity of meditation through the 1960s. With his popularity, Maharishi continued to train more than forty thousand meditation teachers for the next fifty years. The teachers who trained directly under Maharishi then spread out and taught the Transcendental Meditation technique to more than five million people around the world.

During the last part of the 20th century, other methods of meditation began to gain recognition in the West. One of these new forms of meditation was called insight or mindfulness meditation.

Mindfulness meditation aims to help a person become deeply aware of the present moment in order to be able to completely live through the here and now.

Other forms of meditation utilize visualization and guided imagery through mental pictures to promote relaxation of both mind and body. Currently, over 20 million Americans, which comprise almost 10% of the population, perform regular meditation.

Their purpose for practicing meditation ranges from managing high blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and their overall state of mind in order to live better.

As meditation increased in popularity over the years, more and more studies were conducted to explore the effects of meditation on the human mind and body. Scientists extensively researched the potential benefits of meditation and how it could help cure a wide range of physical, mental, emotional, and even societal ailments.

Since its introduction in 1959, more than 600 research studies on meditation were carried out at 250 different universities and medical schools around the world to confirm the effectiveness of meditation.

The National Institutes of Health in the United States granted more than $24 million for research studies on the topic of meditation. These research studies are now recorded in more than 650 scientific and medical journals each of which provide proof of the benefits of meditation for medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, chronic pain, and heart disease.

Because of the deemed benefits of meditation, many businesses have started sponsoring meditation classes for their employees’ well-being. This cost-effective solution enhances employee productivity and keeps them happy.

Even public schools in the United States have started to teach meditation to both children and teenagers. A research study conducted by the Medical College of Georgia in 2003 discovered that meditation lowers stress and enhances interpersonal relationships between students. It was also discovered that it improves school performance.

The government has also started using meditation to lower crime rates, and the US military uses meditation as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder acquired by soldiers sent out to war.

Meditation has been practiced in the East for several centuries though it is fairly new to the western world. Its benefits and ease of implementation has been recognized by western culture which has led to its rapid popularity growth.

For just a few minutes a day, with absolutely no cost or special equipment, anyone can take advantage of the benefits of meditation.

Despite its simplicity, the overall efficacy of meditation has made it the most valuable means for people to heal not only themselves but the planet as well.

Reduces inflammation by alleviating stress through relaxation. Stress leads to inflammation. Relaxation turns off the stress response therefore reducing the health risks caused by inflammation

Lowers high blood pressure by making the body less responsive to stress hormones

Decreases anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate

Boosts the production of serotonin which improves mood and behavior

Reduces stress-related ailments including headaches, insomnia, and ulcers

Boosts the immune system

Improves energy level s

Creates emotional strength that helps fight against negative feelings of anger, tension, and frustration

Improves creative inclinations

Boosts feelings of happiness

Helps put things into perspective. Problems that appeared big begin to appear small

Expands intuition through improved clarity and peace of mind

Improves focus and concentration

Promotes calmness by not allowing any single negative thought to dominate the mind or body