Meditation offers more than an escape from tension
Photo by Flickr user AlicePopkorn
The online media is rich with information about meditation. Just Google “meditation,” and you’ll have a cache of material to pursue from studies on the benefits to techniques to free guided meditations.
This morning I was going through some of the articles and found myself getting overwhelmed. I thought, “I need to meditate!” Then, I asked myself, “Why do I meditate?” Is it to escape?
In a sense, yes. To escape tension. When we’re overwhelmed by anything, it helps to step back, get an overview or a new perspective.
Why else do I meditate? The reasons came rushing forth, but they all came down to this:
It makes me a happier person.
After years of watching me meditate every morning my husband said, “There must be something to this meditation. Our lives are so much better.”
What he didn’t say, but what I understood, was that I am more relaxed, more spontaneous, less critical. In essence, I’m easier to be with. I have found that I’m easier to be with also. I’m more patient with myself and with my mistakes. My mind is clearer when making all kinds of choices from the personal to the professional. I’m kinder and more generous to others, too.
How does all this come about? If you’re really interested in the “how’s” I suggest you Google “meditation scientific studies.” But then be prepared to want to meditate afterward.
Susan Scott Morales is a meditation teacher, psychotherapist, published poet, novelist, and community contributor to AnnArbor.com and blogger on redroom.com. Tweet her @susanscottmoral, reach her at susanmmorales@yahoo.com or visit her website: susanscottmorales.com or fan page: https://www.facebook.com/susanscottmorales.writer.
Comments
BhavanaJagat
Sun, Jul 24, 2011 : 5:52 p.m.
In the East, meditation is often described as a practice to know the true identity of the individual, or the reality. It has no purpose other than that of knowing the truth. The author's husband may have experienced periods of relaxation in the absence of a stress stimulating, critical person who is preoccupied by this activity called meditation. Man lives with an internal sense of dissatisfaction and hence experiences stress in spite of the absence of physical, chemical, biotic, and environmental stress. We can understand the nature of external stress and we can obtain relief by relaxation techniques which genearlly operate by preventing exposure to stress generating agents or factors. It is not easy to prevent internal stress as it is caused by an unknown sense of dissatisfaction or lack of contentment. Indian thinkers have suggested two different approaches to solve this problem; 1. empty the mind of all its desires as desire is the rootcause of sorrow, and 2. seek the true knowledge about self as the physical self is unreal caused by sensory illusion and the true self is immortal and exists in a state of pure happiness.