Meditation is a mental state that allows a person to isolate themselves from daily obligations and concentrate on one point to eliminate stress.
Meditation is perhaps the oldest procedure that still exists and is undoubtedly one of the most effective for achieving peace of mind and dissipating stress and tension.
Due to its simplicity and the possibility of doing it alone without the help of others, it has been popular throughout the centuries.
Jesus Christ practiced meditation and thus received the power that became the secret of his peace, his confidence and his success in dealing with those around him.
Jesus Christ assures us all that those who practice his type of meditation will receive peace of mind and renewed Spiritual energy.
Meditation is an ideal form of introspection that allows the human being to find peace with himself and the necessary balance between the material and the spiritual.
TRUE USEFULNESS OF MEDITATION;
1. Those who practice meditation regularly and systematically have greater control over what goes through their conscious mind. As a result of this, it is they who choose what to let into their thoughts.
2. Relaxation; it is a by-product of meditation. Meditation and stress are incompatible. As meditation prevails, muscular and emotional relaxation occurs. Frequent meditation makes the person less aggressive, less anxious, and more stress-free.
3. Meditation helps the person to be more balanced. Meditation expands brain functions until reaching a state of balance between the left and right hemisphere. While the left hemisphere supplies the logical function, mathematics, scientific study and rational thought. The right side rules the abilities of the creature, the imagination and the spiritual side of the person.
Meditation helps compensate for the possible functional deficiency of the right hemisphere, thus favoring a more balanced use of all mental capacity.
4. Meditation helps a person to go beyond the material side of daily life to touch the spiritual dimension.
Physiological sensors applied to people in moments of meditation show that, during meditation, the respiratory and circulatory rates slow down, the heart rate decreases, and the circulatory system becomes more balanced.
Brain waves show balanced patterns. This suggests that there is a spiritual dimension favorable to a state of mental and physical health.
HOW TO MEDITATE
Depending on our lifestyle, it may be easier or more difficult to practice meditation.
THE PLACE AND THE TIME
It is important to choose a suitable place and time for meditation. The ideal is to meditate daily in the same place and at the same time.
There are people who prefer the morning hours but for others, the calm of the afternoon before going to bed is more appropriate.
Depending on our personal circumstances, meditation can be done in a room or outdoors. No matter where it is done, regularity and silence should be part of the meditation.
THE SHAPE
The posture during meditation should be comfortable, but not excessively so.
Traditional methods suggest sitting cross-legged on the floor on a rug or pillow. Some feel “too mystical” in such a position.
In these cases, it would be better to sit on a chair. This is the time when the person must put aside all the worries of the day and must decide not to allow interruptions and distractions.
THE APPROACH TO MEDITATION
It is important that the person chooses a point of focus, they must choose the object or experience around which the meditation is going to take place. Some traditions suggest a “mantra” (a word or short phrase that is repeated over and over again). Others prefer the “mandala” (drawing of a geometric figure on which the eyes focus).
Others prefer a blank wall on which to focus. But I suggest a deeper and more meaningful experience: that is to choose a short passage from the Holy Bible as a focus point for meditation.
CONCENTRATION
The person must concentrate on the contents of the object of experience. That is reading the passage calmly several times, saying the word until one becomes familiar with the message.
Then the person must think about what is written and the circumstances surrounding the writing. After this, we must try to personally identify with the passage.
GOOD ENDING
After about 20 minutes of this exercise, the person prepares to end the session slowly and calmly.
In many cases, a personal prayer can add the finishing touch to a positive state of mind. After a meditation session, one feels calm and relaxed. Instead of reacting defensively, we can now seek peace and harmony within ourselves and with others.
This is because the person becomes mentally healthy after meditation. You can’t lose anything by trying daily meditation for a week. You may find that you gain in your ability to combat stress and other harmful emotions.