| Meditation has been found to have a positive | | | | goal of this form of meditation is to increase |
| influence on the body, mind, and spirit. Successful | | | | awareness in the present moment. If you want |
| management of chronic pain, decrease in blood | | | | to give this type of meditation a try, I suggest |
| pressure, and reduction in stress hormones are a | | | | beginning with a mindful walking practice. This |
| few of the physiological benefits of meditative | | | | simply means that while you are walking, you |
| practices. Meditation is also known to produce a | | | | keep your awareness on the experience of |
| variety of psychological benefits, including | | | | walking. Stay in the present moment and be |
| reduction of anxiety, enhanced sense of | | | | aware of what your body feels like as you walk. |
| well-being, increased awareness of emotions, and | | | | Notice the sensations as you put one foot in front |
| a greater sense of self-actualization. Spiritual bliss | | | | of the other. Notice the sights, sounds, and smells |
| and enlightenment are among the spiritual benefits | | | | around you. Simply keep your awareness on your |
| of meditation. | | | | experience in the moment. |
| Recently scientists have looked at the effect of | | | | When other thoughts come into your mind (and |
| mindfulness meditation (one type of awareness | | | | they most definitely will come) simply observe |
| meditation) on the brain and neuroplasticity. | | | | them and let them go - without judging them. |
| Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to | | | | This is a key to mindfulness - rather than getting |
| develop and change - essentially rewire itself - in | | | | caught up in these thoughts or berating yourself |
| response to training and/or experience. Richard | | | | for having distracting thoughts, it is important to |
| Davidson, PhD at the University of Wisconsin has | | | | be an impartial observer of the thoughts flowing |
| conducted research that indicates that meditation | | | | through your mind. Remember... observe the |
| increases neuronal firings in the left frontal cortex | | | | thoughts and let them go. |
| of the brain - the same area associated with | | | | As you gain experience with this type of |
| positive feelings and happiness. Studies involving | | | | meditation, you will gain the understanding that |
| very experienced meditators (Buddhist monks) | | | | your true essence - your essential spirit - is not |
| have shown that these brain changes may be | | | | the contents of your mind, but rather the |
| long lasting. In other words, mindfulness meditation | | | | observer of the contents. This awareness will help |
| may increase your level of happiness and the | | | | you detach from intense emotions and allow |
| more you practice the happier you will be. | | | | them to flow freely and easily. When practiced on |
| Rather than disregarding any distracting thoughts, | | | | a regular basis, mindfulness becomes a way of life |
| those practicing mindfulness meditation simply | | | | and a path toward greater happiness, peace, and |
| observe their thoughts without judgment. The | | | | joy. |