The benefits of meditation.

The benefits of meditation.

Excerpts from the book “Heal your heart, Heart disease and total healing” by Dr RAMESH I. KAPADIA
11.5 Why Meditation?
The human mind keeps on constantly churning thoughts. It is always engaged in thinking of the past or of the future. It seldom remains in the present. This wandering state of mind causes stress, which alters the immune response and causes many stress related diseases. Man sees himself as a separate entity. This is an illusion, even if a stubborn one, and creates isolation. The feeling that the other person is separate from you is the root cause of hostility, self-centeredness and cynicism. In fact, we are eternal - limitless in time and space - without a beginning or an end. When the individual experiences his real identity, he feels connected with the rest of the world, wisdom dawns on him, and his capacity becomes unlimited. Meditation has the potential to enable the individual to experience his real identity. But meditation is even more than this.
11.3 Connectedness and Healing
Our greatest limitation comes from our perception that we are individuals limited in space and time. Through meditation one experiences that one is eternal and boundless. A feeling of connectedness with the universe and wisdom dawn on the individual. Normally all throughout our existence our mind is engaged in all the thoughts related to the matters which are of importance to us and all these are confined to space and time. While in meditation, being one with the process of breathing, one brings one's awareness in the eternal present. When this happens, the mind becomes the Universal Mind and we feel connected with the whole universe. This feeling of oneness with that element which is not limited in space and time, which is omnipresent and omnipotent, starts the healing process in the whole individual of which healing in the coronary heart disease is only a welcome side-effect. One does not always meditate to become healthy although it does lead to health and helps one to enjoy the present moment.
11.6 What is Meditation?
Remember an activity in which you were totally engrossed. In such a state, you did not realize how the time passed. Even when several hours passed you felt as if hardly a few minutes had elapsed. It is a wonderful experience. Your vision widens. Your time-sense expands. Such a condition is called "Meditation". Meditation is simply bringing our total awareness on one point or object. It may be our breath, a rhythmic sound or any other activity. There is nothing esoteric about meditation. It is easy and can be performed by anyone. In order to meditate, one need not empty or control one's mind. Meditation brings our awareness on the process of what is happening in the present rather than on the goal. When we think of the goal, generally fear and worry accompany. But when the awareness is kept on the process, there is no fear or worry, and the process becomes more effective. Awareness of each moment is meditation. Meditation gives an experience of eternity of time.
In the technique of meditation we simply bring our awareness to our natural breathing.
Gently closing the eyes, sitting or lying down in a comfortable position and bringing awareness on to the natural process of breathing, is the essence of meditation.
11.7 Science of Meditation
Meditation activates the parasympathetic nervous system which makes secretion of hormones like adrenaline, noradrenaline and corticosteroid normal. As a result, the heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol become normal. Blood becomes thin and the arteries dilate. The formation of lactic acid is also reduced which results in retardation of the aging process. Endorphins and neuropeptides are secreted from the brain. This brings peace and joy. Thus all the degenerative processes of the body are retarded and regenerative processes get accelerated. Moreover recent research has shown that meditation increases the heart rate variability.
11.8 Benefits of Meditation
Meditation has become a part of prescription in the treatment of coronary heart disease, high blood pleasure, diabetes, depression, insomnia, rheumatoid arthritis, peptic ulcer, certain skin diseases and even cancer.
With only three minutes of meditation oxygen consumption is reduced by 20% as against 8% reduction of oxygen consumption after six hours of sleep. The rate of increase of entropy (wear and tear) also drops during meditation.
Meditation teaches the art of living efficiently and beneficially. By an inner mastery, it is possible to control all outer events. The realization of Soul-Force brings forth the qualities of the soul - love, compassion and freedom from fear.
Select a quiet corner. However, with practice you will be able to do it anywhere and at any time. It can be done in the sitting position on the floor, in a chair, lying on your back or even in the standing position. Meditation becomes easy after progressive deep relaxation called shavasana. If there is no time for shavasana, one may do abdominal breathing which will calm the mind. Whenever you feel upset, a few slow
deep breaths can break the stress cycle and calm you down. Even when you cannot control the situation, you can always control your breath and change your
reactions to those circumstances.
During meditation, keep the eyes gently closed to avoid distraction. It is equally important to keep the body still. However, the body tends to move in the
beginning. Ignore it and continue meditation. If you feel uncomfortable, you may move a little to assume a more comfortable posture. Meditation can also be done
by becoming one with the rhythmic sound like Om. One may not meditate immediately after meals. During meditation blood flows towards the brain whereas
blood is needed by the digestive system after the meal. Normally, one may meditate for 10 to 20 minutes in the morning and in the evening. The schedule should
be free from stress. Meditation even for 2 to 3 minutes is also beneficial. More important is the regularity in practice of meditation rather than the length of time.
11.10 Technique of Meditation
There are several techniques of meditation. Here is one which we have found simple to adopt. Sit on the floor cross-legged. It is called sukhasana. Rest your hands on the knees.
Sit erect and still. However, avoid stiffness. Gently close the eyes.
See with the closed eyes that there is no stress in any part of the body from toe to head.
Do abdominal breathing to quieten the mind. Now bring your awareness to the process of breathing. Experience cool air of the breath going in and warm
air coming out of the nostrils. Be one with the process of breathing. Let not a single breath go in or out without your awareness. While breathing, you inhale not just air but also Prana - Life-Force and Light. Thoughts will come and go but you remain unconcerned. Keep your awareness on the process of breathing. If your mind still wanders during meditation, gently bring it back to the breathing. Such efforts are part
of meditation. Continue meditating till you feel comfortable. Now gently open your eyes and slowly come out of meditation.
11.11 When is Meditation successful?
As soon as you bring your awareness to the process of breathing and become one with it, meditation begins. During meditation time-sense expands. One cannot realize how much time has elapsed. One experiences profound peace of mind. At this time slow alpha waves are produced in abundance from the frontal lobe of the brain.
Key Ideas
1. During the relaxation exercises, the adrenaline dominant chemistry of the restless mind is replaced by the endorphin dominant chemistry of love and connectedness of peaceful mind.
2. Meditation is a restful, alert state of the mind. It is a scientific tool prescribed by doctors rather than a sacred ritual.
3. You can meditate for one minute or five minutes. That 'I do not have time to meditate' is a lame excuse.