Chapter 4 – The Meaning of Biblical Meditation

The benefits of meditation are many, and can bring about feelings of confidence and self control, increased concentration, better relationships and reduced stress levels to name just a few.

Once you have found your own inner stillness, through regular meditation, you will be able to access it again and again and with ever greater ease. This brings with it many far-reaching and profound benefits. You will start to notice some changes within yourself fairly quickly; others will take more time. If you are so inclined, it is worth keeping a diary, so that, after some experience of meditating you can look back on how you have changed.

Regular practitioners say they develop a feeling of greater emotional equilibrium. In psychoanalytic terms, they involve their egos less in everyday situations. According to Buddhists, one of the results of meditation should be a feeling of compassion – much easier when your ego is dissolved. Self control, in turn, increases self confidence and a person’s sense of certainty. Simply put, this means meditation could make you ‘nicer’ to your fellow beings.

Meditation does not mean ‘zoning out’. In fact, regular practice will make your mind much sharper and quicker. The ability to concentrate is hugely enhanced, so that tasks take less time and feel easier to accomplish. When you decide to do something, you will be able to just do it, instead of wasting time agonizing about it.

Benefits of Meditation

Confidence and self control Improved concentration Inner certainty Ability to focus and work efficiently Ability to let go of negative emotions such as anger and paranoia Improved posture Greater enjoyment of the physical Better personal relationships Improved health On a purely physiological level, meditation has been subject to many scientific studies since the 1960s. These have shown that among its benefits are lower blood pressure, alleviation of some pain, increased levels of the sleep hormone melatonin and lower stress levels.

It also seems to help people trying to quit smoking or taking hard drugs. Some doctors have prescribed meditation for insomniacs, chronic pain sufferers and heart patients, with good results.

However, it is worth knowing that severe depressives and people suffering psychotic illness have been shown in some studies to become worse after practicing meditation over a sustained period. If you are concerned about such rare negative side effects you should consult with a medical professional, but otherwise, the benefits of meditation can apply to anyone willing to devote some time to regular meditative sessions.