The word "Meditation" means different things to different people depending on their outlook and personal experience. There are a lot of misconceptions than facts that float around the topic of meditation. Here are a few, "too difficult," "meant for spiritual people," "no thoughts ever when you meditate," "needs complete focus," "boring," and so on. We thought we could clear some air on meditation.
What is meditation?
In all fairness, one cannot truly define meditation. It is an experience; it is about being aware and mindful of your thoughts. You don't have to close your eyes or sit in a certain posture for meditation. You can become meditative by watching the falling snowflakes, feeling the breeze, getting in drenched in the rain. The idea is to observe the moment as is and examine how you feel!
Then the next question arises if it is that simple, why only a few meditate? The answer – the approach. Like we mentioned earlier, there are many ways to become meditative, besides the cross-legged posture and closed eyes.
Not having a suitable environment can throw you off when you want to meditate. Understandably it gets frustrating when our thoughts wander off during meditation. But take heart in the fact, it is absolutely okay for the thoughts to wander. The key here is to acknowledge and bring your focus back is how you meditate. With meditation, there is no set destination; the process itself is your destination!
Is meditation essential?
Meditation has been in practice for thousands of years. Still, it has been studied by researchers only in the recent few decades. The findings so far have been astounding. Researchers ascertain that meditation positively affects the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for emotions, fight or flight responses, and memory. The National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association recommend daily meditation to lower a patient's blood pressure and stress levels.
Benefits of meditation
Lowers stress
Improves focus
Alleviates anxiety and depression
Boost for cognitive health – memory and emotional well-being
Enhances physical health – lowers BP and reduces the risk of heart disease.
How to get started?
There are many ways to get started. If you are someone that doesn't like the idea of sitting, gentle movements can be helpful. Tai chi, also called "moving meditation," and yoga, an ancient practice of stretching and breathing, is a great way to get started. You can also practice mindful meditation that uses sound or touch and chanting, or prayer can also be a meditation.
It is always hard to start a new habit, no matter how beneficial it is for you. But what if you create an opportunity for yourself so you could meditate without even realizing that you are into it? Sounds interesting, right? Say hello to Samadhi Health Retreat, a place where you can unwind, relax, indulge, and meditate too!
The stunning backdrop and crisp, clean air will put you into a meditative zone. Just breathe and keep your mind open to explore the infinite possibilities. Join our next retreat to unplug, relax, and find your inner peace!
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