ruth

Wales, UK

TM .

Explore the physiological, psychological, and spiritual benefits of meditation to inspire your practice.

English

In this episode, we explore the diverse reasons that might drive individuals to engage in meditation. Meditation is a personal experience and it may resonate with each individual differently. Alex will discuss the various motivations one could use to justify integrating meditation as a regular practice into their life. Hope this inspires you. 
Enjoy!

Awakened Talks: "Why Should  I Meditate?"

 Why should I meditate? That's a very understandable and common question that many who initially delve into practicing meditation rightfully ask. Answering this question depends entirely on the perspective we want to look at it from, so let's explore the various motivations one could use to justify integrating meditation as a regular practice into their lives. First there's a physiological angle. It's no secret by now that meditation impacts our health and well-being. What is most exciting is the recent discovery by academics and scientists that regular meditation leads to changes in our physiological structure. To begin with, meditating on a regular basis has been proven to change the physical structure of our brain. This has been demonstrated by Sara Lazar, a neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School who has conducted a study on the impact of meditation on the brain structure. Her research has shown that regular meditation can lead to increased gray matter density in various parts of the brain including areas responsible for memory, learning, and self-awareness. The studies also suggest that meditation may slow down the brain aging process and improve cognitive function. Further studies, such as the one by the University of Florida shows that meditation improves immune function and we'll talk more about that in my next talk. Then there's a psychological path. Meditation can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. By learning how to detach from thoughts and become more aware of when they take over, meditation gives the practitioner more control which allows them to always remain in the present moment. Furthermore, meditation helps control one's impulses for anger, hunger, and hanger. Psychologically meditation helps one regain control of their thoughts and their emotions. In most cases, when a person is either depressed, enraged, or anxious, their thoughts send them to a dark place which soon results in the person's identity ostensibly being embedded in their thoughts. By this point, the sufferer may not know how to differentiate between what is real and what is exaggerated, between what is destructive and what is productive. The person loses control and the thoughts navigate his or her emotions and actions to an undesirable place without an option of pressing the brakes. This is almost tantamount to having a dream where the dreamer is unaware they're in a dream despite how unrealistic things are, and they have no control over the outcome. And no matter how much it makes no sense, they have to deal with it, regardless of whether it's good or bad, until it's finally over. When you adopt meditation as a regular practice, you go from being stuck in a dream, devoid of control, to experiencing something more like lucid dreaming. Finally, you're aware of every action and can more easily discern what is right and wrong, what is logical and illogical, what is toxic and harmless. You know when to stop and how to stop it. It's as simple as that. Meditation gives you control over your thoughts and teaches you to witness your thoughts from a place of objectivity, as opposed to as immersing yourself into them and allowing them to determine your perception of yourself or worse. Your identity. And just throw it in there moreover, since we're on the topic of psychological effects, meditation helps enhance focus, sharpen attention, and unlock creativity, and the list goes on. Then there's the spiritual part. Even though some of you may claim to not be religious, there's no doubt that meditation helps those who practice it regularly experience what many liken to a spiritual experience. Some historians speculate that the practice of meditation was formed thousands of years prior to religion becoming a structural part of our existence. It is hypothesized that our earliest ancestors discovered meditation in the form of fire gazing over a hundred thousand years ago, and through this practice their brains may have started to rewire and many ideas would have formed to create the stories that would have ultimately inspired religion. This doesn't surprise me to be honest, because from a personal experience, meditating daily, in my case 45 minutes to one hour a day, has brought me closer to my higher self, spiritually speaking. I feel closer to God, and by the way, I'm not religious and there is a difference, and I've become more intuitive and connected to the energies around me. Ultimately, spirituality is a personal experience and cannot be defined in one way. I do feel more connected spiritually to nature, to the animals I interact with, and to my fellow humans, more than ever really. Life is just so much more beautiful when you're open to connect, and when you're open to connect to your surroundings, you can pave your own unique path to a spiritual fulfillment. Then of course, there's the personal angle. Fundamentally, at its core, meditation is a personal growth experience. It helps us discover more about ourselves and empowers us to pursue our dreams and passions by understanding our mind better. You see, if you're feeling lost, meditation can help you regain a sense of control by strengthening your cognitive skills and defragmenting your mind so that you're better equipped to organize and prioritize tasks that may propel you to progress. Depending on what meditation you decide to perform, you can enhance certain skills and enrich your talents. Meditation empowers you to take action. It encourages you to shake off bad habits that may cause procrastination, and by garnering a greater sense of self-belief, you're more likely to take action and seek to grow. And ultimately, that is what meditation is all about, growth. The ethos of meditation encompasses various principles that guide its practice. Meditation offers peace, concentration, and self-awareness, which fuels a practitioner's more ambitious and determined side. Possessing these qualities are said to bring out the best in a person. Concentration results in focus. Self-awareness results in growth. Peace results in happiness. Ultimately, the practice of meditation creates a more aligned mindset, which offers a more navigable path towards whichever goals you've been yearning to reach. So what now? Well, with so many apps, websites, and videos available online, it's never been easier, frankly, to integrate meditation into your life. Do your research, find a style that best resonates with you, and most importantly, enjoy the journey. Because that's what it's all about, it's a journey. You're welcome to check out some of my meditations on here, which are geared towards all levels, including beginners. Take your time. Browse Insight Timer and assemble a band of mentors, guides, and teachers that speak most fluently to you. May you experience nothing but peace, happiness, and growth. Thank you.