BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

The following is an excerpt from The Meditation Association of Australia website which outlines some of the benefits of meditation:

From the point of view of psychology and physiology, meditation can induce a heightened state of consciousness – i.e. it raises awareness. Relaxation, concentration, an altered state of awareness, a suspension of discursive thought, and the maintenance of a self-observing attitude are sometimes cited as the behavioural components of meditation. It is also accompanied by a host of biochemical and physical changes, such as altered metabolism, heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, immune function, genetic function and repair, and brain anatomy and function.

Meditation has been used in clinical settings, but its use in the mental health and emotional regulation settings have probably created more interest than any other single field. Other areas of application include the enhancement of performance in sporting, business and academic settings. From a spiritual or philosophical perspective, the physical, behavioural and psychological benefits of meditation could be seen as ‘side-effects’ rather than the central aim of the practice.

The central aim of the practice?

Mindfulness supports the cultivation of focus, presence, calm and clarity. When we embody these qualities, we become less reactive to the ups and downs of life and we tend to engage more readily in actions, which benefit both ourselves and those around us. We become more resilient and report greater levels of happiness. I once heard someone sum it up in this way: ‘People may start meditating to shrink their amygdala, but they continue to meditate to become less of an “A$$h@!!’ Often we are drawn in to meditation by the science and the associated benefits for ourselves but also soon realise it can also improve the lives of those around us, so we keep practicing.