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For the Mind...
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Meditation
Meditation has many physical and psychological benefits, without the side effects often associated with drugs. Neuroscientists have found that meditators shift their brain activity from the stress-prone right frontal cortex to the calmer left frontal cortex. This decreases the negative effects of stress, mild depression and anxiety. There is also less activity in the amygdala, where the brain processes fear. In other words, meditators are calmer and happier.
On the psychological side, meditation is associated with greater creativity, improved reasoning, learning ability and memory. Also noted are decreased irritability and moodiness, increased self-actualization, feelings of vitality, rejuvenation and emotional stability.
In addition to the physical and psychological effects of meditation, we recognize the deep spiritual implications of this ancient art. For centuries, enlightened cultures have sought the spiritual benefits of meditation and have discovered its awesome ability to momentarily separate us from our material needs and desires and put us in contact with something greater. We can use meditation to open up our minds to receive deeper wisdom, which helps to lead us down the path of self-improvement or even self-enlightenment.
In addition, meditation has many well-documented physical benefits including • Deep rest as measured by decreased metabolic rate, lower heart rate, and reduced work load of the heart. • Lowered levels of cortisol and lactate -- two chemicals associated with stress and weight increase. • Reduction of free radicals, unstable oxygen molecules that can cause tissue damage.• Decreased high blood pressure. • Higher skin resistance. Low skin resistance is correlated with higher stress and anxiety levels. • Drop in cholesterol levels.• Improved flow of air to the lungs resulting in easier breathing, especially for asthma patients. • Younger biological age. On standard measures of aging, long-term meditation practitioners (more than five years) measured 12 years younger than their chronological age. |
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