Benefits of meditation
Most of us have read of the multitude of benefits to be derived from a regular meditation habit, for example: stress release, emotional balance, peace, happiness and greater self worth.
Through my own meditation practice, I discovered some other unexpected and much welcomed advantages. These merits can come about relatively quickly once you are committed to practicing regular meditation (in my case, I spend time in meditation each morning) and once you set an intention to be open to receiving the gifts that meditation has to offer.
So what are these benefits?
1. Spontaneous manifestation of Desires
When I want a particular situation or thing to come about, I find that it manifests in my life quickly and relatively easily when I meditate on it.
This process works for me:
A. I choose the object or desire and ask ‘is this for my highest divine benefit?’ I ask the question at the start of my meditation and afterwards I’ll usually have the answer. If it is something that I particularly want then I may need to spend a few sessions meditating on this question to gain clarity. Often what our Ego wants, isn’t what our heart wants.
If I get a sense that the desire isn’t right at this time then I’ll let it go and move on. If however I feel that it is meant to be then I’ll move onto the next step.
B. I spend a few moments at the start of my practice visualising my desire using all my senses, seeing the object in my hands, feeling it, smelling it and even tasting it all through my mind. I’ll then let the image go and continue with my meditation.
It’s as simple as that. Usually I’ll continue this practice until the desire manifests or as long as I feel it’s appropriate.
2. Creative Inspiration
Another surprising benefit of meditation is the creative inspiration received during practice. Often I’ll take a moment during meditation to grab a pen and write down the ideas that are flowing to me. Once we let go of all the endless mind chatter, it opens up space for inspiration to flow in.
It’s great if you are searching for new ideas or solutions but also for allowing creative thoughts to arrive into our consciousness even when we’re least expecting them.
3. Dissolution of Ego
Let’s face it, most of us are entirely self consumed, often without even being aware of it. Our thoughts, words and actions revolve around the notion of ‘what’s in it for me’. Even seemingly altruistic actions can have an underlying egotistic motive. Meditation can help us to move away from the Ego and towards compassion and empathy. It doesn’t happen overnight but with practice you will find yourself becoming more tolerant, understanding and less consumed with yourself.
4. Oneness
Dissolution of Ego and the sense of oneness go hand in hand. As you begin to realise you are not an island, that we are all connected and what you think, say and do has an impact not only on you but on others too; and not just those directly around you – family, friends, colleagues but on a far greater reaching scale, you understand that your choices affect others as do their choices affect you. Meditation helps us to realise that we are all one.
5. Spontaneous Healing
During meditation we allow our bodies and minds to relax. Tension and stress that we have been holding within can escape our grip once we let go, even if temporarily. When the tension loosens, this allows room for healing to come about. An interesting article published by Harvard Medical School entitled Mind Body Genomics furthers this thinking, stating that “the relaxation response—a physiologic state of deep rest induced by practices such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing and prayer—produces immediate changes in the expression of genes involved in immune function, energy metabolism and insulin secretion.”
With practice, each day a little more tension can melt away and a lot more healing can occur. Our bodies natural state is to be in balance, aligned and healthful if we allow it, meditation can facilitate our return to harmony.
If you would like to learn to meditate, my next Course – Introduction to Meditation is starting on 11th January.
Register here if you would like to attend.
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