As the world continues to evolve, our lives undergo enormous changes, some of which can take a huge toll on our mental health. The 21st century has brought about the biggest events that the human race has experienced throughout its lifespan on earth.
While it may be difficult to understand yourself and your life purpose in this vast universe, meditation can certainly help you discover yourself. Most of you may have heard of meditation but don’t know what it is and how exactly one can practice it to alleviate anxiety and depression.
Meditation has been a central practice in all religions, whether it is Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, or Islam. All of the spiritual leaders in the world practiced it, and many people around the globe still indulge in meditation to rejuvenate their energies and free themselves of the burdens of current times.
Through this article, you’ll be able to dive into the world of meditation while learning about the advantages of practicing it in turbulent times.
Meditation, Religion, & Spirituality
While there are hundreds of religions worldwide, they all have the same fundamental principles that teach humility, kindness, worship, forgiveness, and love. Meditation is key in all religions and helps individuals connect with and understand the entity they worship.
For millions of years, people have used meditation to better understand and connect with their faith, God, and themselves. The history of meditation dates back to the advent of Buddhism and Christianity, as the light-bearers of these religions practiced meditation to humble themselves before their deity and followers.
History of Meditation
Modern meditation has been derived from the teachings and practices of many religions. Meditation is a huge part of Hinduism, linked to their belief of incarnation and rebirth. Similarly, Siddhartha Gautama, more commonly known as Buddha, believed that meditation was the key to transforming one’s mind and soul.
Buddhist meditation focuses on techniques that enhance concentration, elevate emotional positivity, and instill calm in the practitioner’s mind. In Buddhism, meditation has the power to have a transformative effect on an individual, which can lead to a new understanding of life and the universe around us.
Meditation is a form of prayer in Christianity, where the practitioner focuses on connecting with God through a series of thoughts, breathing patterns, and passages usually derived from the bible.
Meditation and its effect on mind, body, and soul
The best thing about meditation is that it is for everyone, whether you are a religious person or not. All humans are capable of experiencing life on three different levels; physical, intellectual, and spiritual. We need to unlock our spiritual selves to truly understand our wants, needs, and capabilities.
Meditation is the key to unlocking your understanding of yourself. It awakens your spiritual side and helps you unlock your desires, which is why all religions have practiced it for thousands of centuries.
How meditation helps rejuvenate our bodies
Meditation not only helps us understand our spiritual selves but allows us to improve our physical bodies. For years, therapists and nutritionists have recommended meditation to improve one’s quality of life.
Practicing meditation daily can help lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, help with sleep, enhance focus, and reduce aggression while helping our body adapt to new situations quickly.
Meditation – How to practice it?
Meditation has been used for thousands of years across various religions, which is why there are hundreds of ways to practice it. However, the main aim of meditation is to connect your body and soul while sharpening your focus and enabling self-healing.
While there is no right or wrong way to practice meditation, finding the method that works for you and helps you rejuvenate your soul is essential.
Types of Meditation
There are many types of meditation, each with specific practices from various traditions. The type of meditation that you should practice depends on what you want to heal through meditating. If you want to improve your concentration, mindfulness meditation may be the best option.
If, on the other hand, you want to develop a deeper connection with the universe, spiritual meditation might suit you better. Spiritual meditation can be practiced anywhere and allows you to develop a more powerful connection with the universe, the higher power, and the spiritual forces.
How to start meditation
While it may seem daunting, starting meditation is not as difficult as some might believe. If you are a true beginner, start by working on your breathing for 20 minutes every day. Set aside a specific time of the day and begin by focusing on your breathing patterns and aiming to practice deep breathing.
Doing this for a few days only will better help you determine the type of meditation that is best for you and your mental health.
Advantages of Meditation
Studies have proved that individuals who practice meditation are mentally stronger and have better stamina. A study conducted in 2017 revealed that mindful meditation helped individuals experience a decrease in chronic pain.
Similarly, a 2018 review revealed that practicing meditation daily reduces cognitive decline and enhances the quality of life.
Bottom Line
People around the globe have been practicing meditation for centuries, and it has remained one of the most crucial parts of religions worldwide. In today’s challenging times, we often find ourselves at a crossroads, confused about our existence and our role on the planet Earth.
Meditation can not only help us understand ourselves and reach our true potential but can allow us to comprehend the vastness of the universe as the answers to most of our questions can be found within us.
While finding your path in the beginning, may be challenging, practicing meditation daily can profoundly impact your mind, body, and soul. If you want to begin something that allows you to grow and understand the uncertainties in life, meditation might be the perfect place to start looking for answers to universal questions.