Meditation for Stress Management – Jacksonville, FL Public Library

BENEFITS OF A PROLONGED MEDITATION PRACTICE IN REDUCING STRESS, DEPRESSION AND HYPERTENSION

In a world of stress overload and school, family and internal constraints, kids need meditation as much as adults. Meditation helps kids develop focus, regulate their own emotions and learn how to pay attention inside and out. It gives them a sense of center and, therefore, resilience.

The medical benefits of meditation are well documented. A recent study funded by the US Government by Harvard Medical School proved the great benefits of a prolonged meditation practice in reducing stress, depression and hypertension, which account for 60-90% of all doctor visits, according to the Benson-Henry Institute. The World Health Organization estimates that this simple fact costs US companies a minimum of $300 billion a year. Forward thinking doctors are starting to take a serious look at working with meditation as a potential cure to some of the myriad of modern afflictions affecting their patients.

It’s important to have a clear insight as to the changes that occur as a result of beginning and continuing a meditative practice. Many of our true gifts, talents and skills have been hidden by the fast pace of modern society—every waking minute is filled with sensory overload, forcing us to ignore many of our God given abilities and over-engage only a portion of our entire being. Meditation starts to awaken these dormant gifts.

Each breath we take carries an elixir that allows a reaction to occur at a subatomic particle level. Science is just starting to understand this reaction; they call it the “God Particle.” Albert Einstein started to understand and describe this phenomenon and was quoted as he described his awe of quantum physics as, “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”

This explosion of energy allows us to communicate with our higher self, our soul. Most of our current time is spent on our mind, senses and emotions, but much exists outside these three. Meditation allows us to slow and control the attention they receive so that we can get down to what is dramatically important, the growth of our being.

Once we start to become effective at meditating, we are able to continually access our higher self—our soul, our heart. This is the beginning of the journey. Without this access, we tend to feel disconnected, unfulfilled and lost. This is where the modern day ailments manifest themselves. We are not listening carefully to our heart and soul, only to our mind, senses and emotions.

Meditation is where we begin our journey to connect to Creation and the Creator. Our ancestors all knew how important it was to be well rooted to the Earth and to be connected to the Spirit. All things were done with these two in consideration and honor. This is the language of the Soul. Without this clear communication, it is very difficult to feel, connect and understand the three worlds of Earth, Human and Spirit. Our great advantage is that we are able to create a link between the three worlds; this is a gift and destiny that we have been given. Through meditation we are able to complete our providence of becoming the connection between these energies.

The method is quite simple and if the intention is right, many great things await the practitioner. I wish you all the best in your journey.

by Sensei Robert