Meditation and Stress Relief

Stress is the primary cause of many diseases and disorders in this high tech age, yet there is no medication for stress. Meditation is a good technique for relieving stress. The practice which does not require any mental or physical control is enjoyable and pleasurable. Many diseases and disorders can be prevented or cured simply by relieving or reducing the burdens of stress in your daily life. In olden days, the original purpose of meditation was to attain a higher level of consciousness and gain a deeper understanding of the mystical forces of life; however, meditation is now commonly and effectively utilized for relaxation, stress management, and disease prevention. Persistence practice of meditation counters the effects of chronic stress, and prevents or helps heal stress-induced disorders. Meditation has a direct impact on the physiological pathways that are involved in stress response. By inducing the “relaxation response” meditation reduces the stress level encountered by your body by decreasing the levels of the major stress hormone called cortisol, a steroid hormone produced by two small glands located adjacent to the kidneys known as adrenal glands. Mediation reduces stress, relaxes the mind and body, and improves overall health and physical well-being. The meditation experience is an incredible stress-buster. Because drugs cannot effectively reduce human stress levels, meditation is a credible and effective approach for reducing the high stress levels encountered by most people in this ever-busy, computerized high-tech age, devoid of real human interactions. In addition to stress reduction, medical meditation can also be used to prevent stress-associated conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, tension headaches, immune deficiencies, depression, panic disorders, and many other ailments. Meditation is a health-promoting technique practiced and perfected by ancient mystics and yogis. Medical meditation is now gaining acceptance by modern medical science. Because of its recognized rejuvenating and healing powers, meditation now serves as a complementary medical approach for the promotion of good health and prevention of stress-induced disorders and diseases. To better utilize the practice of medical meditation as a modern scientific technique for disease prevention and healing, a better understanding and sound knowledge of the role of meditation in stress management is warranted. This will enable open-minded men and women with scientific knowledge and expertise to develop and create effective action plans for stress management, and the prevention or treatment of stress-induced diseases.

Meditation is Medicine!

Are you aware that you can prevent infection, heal yourself, or turn back the aging clock naturally without pharmaceutical drugs or surgery? It has been proven that without taking drugs or going through the pains of surgery you can keep yourself healthy and young-looking with non-invasive medical meditation. Yes, meditation is medicine! Meditation is therapeutic! Because of this realization, there is now an increased use of various meditation practices in academic medical centers and hospitals for patients presenting with a range of diseases and disorders including pain-related disorders, stress and stress-associated disorders, and chronic diseases. Don’t forget. Jesus Christ healed all diseases without drugs or surgery. Although it is an overlooked form of therapy in this present high tech world, medical meditation is a healing technique that attends to the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of all human beings. It is one of the most effective, and overlooked and non-invasive method of therapy available to you without any financial cost. Meditation can prevent and get rid you of many diseases and psychological maladies without biopharmaceutical drugs or psychotherapy. That’s why the meditative experience is now an important component of many health plans. The practice of meditation has healing power, especially if it is practiced in combination with standard medical care when you are sick, depressed, or down in spirit. Because of its unique ability to elicit physical, emotional, and mental stability, meditation provides the foundation for healing and wellness. Evidence-based practice by clinicians and psychotherapists demonstrates that meditation reduces stress, promotes health, and enhances general well-being. Medical meditation has successfully been used to eliminate and/or manage diabetes, hypertension, migraines, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), psoriasis, chronic pain, and headache. The technique is useful for the treatment and management of acute and chronic emotional states, such as depression, worry, anxiety, fear, and anger, and a variety of mental ailments. It is now known that each mental state has a specific physiology associated with it. The effects of each or combinations of mental states whether positive or negative can be felt by the physical body. As an example, the feeling of anxiety induces stress which can result in abnormal production of stress hormones. Modern scientific research clearly shows that prolonged stress contributes to serious diseases such as persistent fatigue, anxiety, depression, insomnia, high blood pressure, heart irregularities, digestive disorders, mental health issues, diminished fertility, diminished libido, diabetes, and headache, to name only a few disorders. Meditation induces “the relaxation response” which normalizes the level of stress hormones produced by the adrenal gland and thereby protects the body against the effects of stressors by inducing a feeling of peace, calm, and tranquility all over the body.

Meditation and Christianity

Meditation is the most neglected practice in the daily life of the modern Christian because many Christians think of meditation as something associated with Eastern traditions or practices reserved for members of some secret societies or cult members. In reality, meditation affords Christians the opportunity to experience God beyond what the human brain can grasp, comprehend, or attain. Meditation serves as a gateway to God. "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). There is nothing evil in meditation. In the Bible, Jesus said, "I and the Father are one" (John 30:10). Jesus and the Father are One in essence and nature. As human beings created in the image and likeness of God we are one with God and Jesus Christ in essence and nature, however, we often forget that God created us in His own image. We can only experience oneness with God through prayer and meditation. To born-again Christians, and true believers of Jesus Christ, meditation should be considered as contemplative prayer. This deep contemplative dimension of the Christian faith which has been neglected for so long, offers the best avenue to be “one with the Lord,” The meditative experience is indescribable. It is far above and beyond human thought, human feeling, intellectual memory, and human comprehension. Deep meditation delivers the feeling of peace and happiness that surpasses understanding. Meditation makes you feel good. You enjoy God through meditation. So, meditate, dwell with God and see how you feel. A critical review of important teachings in the Bible shows that Christians are instructed to meditate but does not tell us how to meditate. It is an irony because the Bible gives directions on how to pray, how to fast, and how to worship God, but not how to meditate. So how do we meditate as Christians? Because, meditation is a deep contemplative form of prayer we should do as Jesus instructed us to do. “Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-6). Meditation is a secret prayer; it is the practice of opening your heart and mind to God in secret. In his writings, Paul exhorts Christians to spend time to think, ponder, reflect, meditate on spiritual things; those things which are true, pure, noble, just, virtuous, lovely, of good report, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8) As Christians, all you should do is to think, ponder, and contemplate on these things. Meditation is transformative; it enhances the new birth or re-birth that all sincere Christians pray for. Christians who combine daily prayers with meditation are always filled with the Holy Spirit, energized, anointed, and filled with love for God and fellow human beings who are all created in the image and likeness of God.

Medical Meditation

Meditation is an effective practice for health and healing. Thousands of years of practice have demonstrated a beneficial link between meditation and healing. The meditative practice is associated with physical, mental, emotional and spiritual responses important for health maintenance, disease prevention and general well-being. Scientific evidence has shown that medical meditation reduces stress, improves health and creates calmness, serenity, tranquility and inner peace. Medical meditation has also proven to be an effective tool for stress management, prevention of diseases, energy restoration, spiritual development maintenance of good health. Western medical experts and physicians are now beginning to recognize the health benefits of meditation. Published research shows that medical meditation can reduce high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, atherosclerosis, thickening of coronary arteries, and constriction of blood vessels. The technique can improve breathing for asthma sufferers, ease digestive problems, assist in the management of chronic pain, and improve sleep and immunity. Medical meditation is also effective in managing a wide range of mental and emotional disorders, including depression, anxiety, anger, compulsive behaviors, chronic stress, and various types of addictions. By practicing medical meditation daily, you can keep yourself healthy, prevent common infections, chronic diseases, or turn back the aging clock naturally without pharmaceutical drugs or surgery? You can keep your skin healthy and young-looking with non-invasive medical meditation without taking drugs or going through the pains of plastic surgery. Yes, meditation is medicine! Meditation is therapeutic! Appropriate practice of this ancient technique can reduce the use of sleeping pills, anti-depressive and anti-anxiety drugs, as well as the use of anti-hypertensive medications. Scientific evidence shows that medical meditation can prolong life by reducing mortality rates due to heart diseases. Because of this realization, there is now an increased use of various meditation practices in academic medical centers and hospitals for patients presenting with a range of diseases and disorders including pain-related disorders, stress and stress-associated disorders, and chronic diseases. Medical meditation is a natural, effortless, and relaxation technique practiced 10-20 minutes twice daily while sitting comfortably in the privacy of your room. The technique is cheap, easy, and enjoyable to practice and requires no change in lifestyle.

Transcendental Meditation and Stress Reduction

Chronic stress prevents radiant health; therefore, one of the things to do if you want to bloom and glow with radiant health, is to learn how to deal more effectively with the daily stresses of life. Ways to deal with chronic stress include physical exercise, meditation, and passionate wholesome sexual intercourse. As you can see, these activities include motion and relaxation. Physical movement and deep relaxation is the best way to combat stress. Most of us don’t move enough rest enough. Please learn to move, rest, and relax daily. Working without adequate is contrary to God’s will for our lives. Despite His omnipotent attribute, God rested a whole day after He completed His creation. “God rested from all his work that he had done in creation” (Genesis 2:3). God rested after creation not because He was tired, but to teach us that as human beings created in His own image, we too need to rest and relax. Meditation provides you with a calm mind, self-motivation, and the will-power to accomplish your daily activities, pursue your goals in life, and achieve them. Deep relaxation and medical meditation can prolong your life, keep you healthy, maintains your fountain of youth, and keeps you radiant and beautiful throughout life. Meditation for health and well-being, otherwise known as medical meditation, is very effective in managing stress, a major cause of ill-health, chronic diseases, and premature aging. Transcendental medical meditation is one of the oldest of spiritual processes. Inner peace and calmness of mind have been a valued priority for centuries in most parts of the world, but largely ignored in the Western culture. This type of meditation helps you to empty all thoughts from your objective mind and releases you from all worries of life while meditating. Transcendental medical meditation is practiced solely for health purposes. Constant practice of medical meditation facilitates relaxation, reduces stress, helps prevent diseases, enhances the remarkable healing power of your body, and increases the rate of recovery from diseases. The practice of transcendental medical meditation promotes the regeneration of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being,relaxes your body and gives you peace of mind, joy, and happiness. The technique is now being explored in the Western world. It is a time-tested and scientifically proven practice that ushers in deep relaxation, mental clarity, and produces a profound sense of connection to one’s inner self and God. It also increases intuition, boosts creativity, inspiration, and problem-solving capacity. The practice of meditation is an effective technique to inject a positive attitude in your life and keep things in their proper perspectives.

Amazing Benefits of Meditation

Meditation is one of the oldest of spiritual processes. Inner peace and calmness of mind have been a valued priority for centuries in most parts of the world, but largely ignored in the Western culture. The practice of meditation which relaxes the body and brings peace of mind is now being explored in the Western world. It is a time-tested and scientifically proven practice that ushers in deep relaxation, mental clarity, and produces a profound sense of connection to one’s inner self. It also increases intuition, boosts creativity, inspiration, and problem-solving capacity. The practice of meditation is an effective technique to inject a positive attitude in your life and keep things in their proper perspectives. Medical meditation facilitates relaxation, increases energy, reduces stress, helps prevent diseases, enhances the healing process, and increases the rate of recovery from diseases. It induces the “relaxation response” and promotes the regeneration of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual beings of all individuals. The primary purpose of meditation is to temporarily separate yourself from the affairs of the world. Through meditation, you can consciously seclude yourself from the material world and withdraw into the holy place of your soul for a brief time, at least in your thoughts. Separation in this sense does not mean denying or negating the world, or separating yourself from other human beings; it refers to a temporary separation in application of thought and action. By separating yourself temporarily from the daily tasks and affairs of the gross material world, you become keener of the unity of all beings and realize the inseparable mental and spiritual connection between your whole being and God. "Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10). In practical terms, meditation has a calming effect on your nerves, body, mind and spirit. Divine inspiration, peace of mind, and tranquility are facilitated by meditation. Routine practice of meditation stirs your mind to love others as you love yourself; leads you to the Divine Presence of God, as well as the realization of the divine fullness, awareness of Divine Power in everything, and a sure means of gaining Divine inspiration.

Chronic Stress in the Present Age

Men and women of all ages now contend with increasing psychological and physical stresses that arise from internal and external forces from man-made technological environment that we live in. In the short-term, stress prepares the body to rise up to a challenge to meet a tough situations we encounter in life with stamina, strength, and focus. However, long-term stress can sap our strength and energy and render us frustrated, overwhelmed, depressed, bedridden, and inactive. Either way, a short-term long-term stress leads to biological changes throughout the body. Stresses in life whether acute or chronic, can cause tension, anxiety, and worry. Some types of insidious and chronic stress may be due to poverty, depression, loneliness, bereavement, and frustration due to lack of dating relationships, or discrimination due to race, ethnicity, body weight and sexual orientation. The react and then recover natural stress response of your body can be disrupted by chronic stress. One obstacle to radiant health is chronic stress. It has a huge impact on your health and general well-being in this fast-paced, multi-tasking, high-tech age that we are living in. Chronic stress facilitates the development of chronic and infectious diseases as well as mental disorders including high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, and kidney failure, malaria, AIDS, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorders. It also triggers negative emotions including fear, doubt, anger, worry, and anxiety. Constant and prolonged stress can kill you if not managed properly. But why are so many people so stressed out? The answer is simple. Too many people live a stressful life because of insatiable desires coupled with the rat race to succeed in a very competitive world. Nations are competing against nations, corporations against corporations, athletes against athletes, students against students, politicians against politicians, lawyers against lawyers, doctors against doctors, pastors against pastors, jobseekers against jobseekers, and siblings against siblings. Everyone wants to capture the gold and none is satisfied or thankful with the silver or the bronze. The competition out there is becoming very unhealthy. Modern life is now the survival of the fittest. There lies the cause of the stressful life that we are all living. There is no life without stress. All that matters is how you choose to handle your daily stress throughout life. It is an irony that the healthcare systems of all nations in this world, both developed and developing nations, spend trillions of dollars on healthcare delivery and treatment of diseases, without adequate care or concern to the root cause of ill-heath suffered by the modern man and woman in this wireless high tech age, which is stress. The primary cause of diseases inflicting humanity today can be traced to the impact of chronic stress on the all men and women living in this planet called Earth.

Harmful Effects of Chronic Stress

Stress is now considered to be a major threat to the health and happiness of humankind. Many of today’s maladies are attributed to the stresses of modern living. Long-term stress has far reaching effects on the overall function of the human body. It adversely affects the electrical circuit of your nervous system which may result in a nervous breakdown. Chronic stress usually triggers bodily imbalance that may result in physical illness and disorders. Evidence from medical research has proven the complex relationship between stress and illness. Chronic stress is now known to trigger the development of many disorders and diseases, particularly high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, depression, sleeplessness, alcoholism, fatigue, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, tension headache, and sexual dysfunction, especially erectile dysfunction in men. Scientists have shown that job-stressed individuals, especially women, have increased cardiovascular risk, compared with less-stressed individuals. Many of these stress-associated disorders are attributed to increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system which is accompanied by increased production and release of stress-related hormones, and neurotransmitters, including cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine and the activities of other chemical messengers that are not yet identified. Prolonged exposure to stress and associated stress hormones and neuropeptides are harmful to the brain. Exposure to stressful life events has a profound effect on the human mind, brain, and behavior. Severe or persistent stress over a long period of time is destructive to the brain because it changes brain architecture, causes shrinkage of the brain, neuronal cell death, mental and emotional breakdown, impairs critical and analytical thinking, and enhances age-related memory decline and forgetfulness. Chronic stress can also permanently alter the structures, functions and neuronal connections of vital components of the brain such as the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala, and initiate the development of mental disorders. Common harmful effects of stress include a general negative outlook, nervousness, poor judgment, agitation and the inability to relax, irritability, excessive worrying, anxiety, fear, and moodiness, physical, mental and emotional aches and pains, sense of isolation, lonely feeling, fatigue, depression, nausea, dizziness, constipation and diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, sleeplessness or sleeping too much, withdrawal from society, neglect of responsibilities or procrastination, and increased cigarette, drug or alcohol consumption.