Archive for September, 2007

09-26-2007

Practical Applications of Meditation

I am always asked about the practical applications of meditation.

Of course, I could look up the statistics regarding the health benefits of meditation.  OR even site statistics about how meditation helps raise consciousness at a global level.  But most of us are aware of these benefits.  (Do a search under health benefits of meditation to find out how meditation reduces blood pressure and contributes to overall health, or read the book Permanent Peace by Dr. Oates to find out more about the Maharishi effect and other studies that demonstrate the positive effect of meditation around the globe).

I, however, like to answer this question from a personal perspective and tell people what meditation has done for me and the practical applications where meditation has come in handy for me.

Meditation used to calm yourself

Meditation can be used to calm yourself and get yourself back to center.  With meditation, you become less reactive and more responsive.  If you feel stress or worry, you can meditate and alleviate or significantly reduce the worry or stress.   Sometimes I can get fearful or worried about finances.  Yet with meditation, I have been able to live in the moment and not be fearful of the future.  I have also used meditation to calm myself down in family situations where someone is angry.  When I feel the anger rising up in me, I can focus on my breathing and reduce the anger inside.  Then I can respond to the situation appropriately.  Meditation has also helped me in the practice of forgiveness.  For example, on vacation recently a family member said a very mean comment and became filled with anger.  I was able to meditate after the event and forgive the family member instead of carrying around the resentment.

Meditation for healing

Meditation has been wonderful as a healing process.  If I feel a cold coming on, I have been able to meditate and bring my awareness inside my body and feel my Presence.   Since practicing this I have not had a major cold like I used to get often.  I have also used meditation to alleviate menstrual cramps.

Meditation to feel gratitude

Meditation has helped me be grateful of the present moment and all it has to offer….Meditation has helped me live with an attitude of gratitude.

Meditation to Sleep Peacefully

Meditation has helped me to sleep better.  If I can’t sleep at night, I do my meditation and find that I fall asleep peacefully and wake up refreshed.

Meditation helps you BE present in the moment

Meditation has dramatically changed the way I work.  I do things from a place of BEING.  Wheareas before, I would try to MAKE things happen.  Now I allow them to happen.  Roadblocks do not paralyze me anymore, like they used to.  I am able to move forward and do things in the moment and enjoy the process!  

Meditation helps you experience peace regardless of what is going on externally

Most of all meditation has helped me experience peace regardless of what is going on externally.  With meditation, I am no longer a victim to my circumstances.  I can look at them from a “It is what is is” perspective.  I’m not attached to results.   I still work toward my goals and dreams, but I am not attached to a specific outcome. Therefore I am able to “rebound” from ”disappointments” easier because my happiness is not dependent on a specific outcome.

Overall, meditation has dramatically changed my life in all areas.

It has been the single most important “practice” to help me live from that place of Presence.

Posted by lisa in Meditation | No Comments »