What is meditation?

Despite its popularity, few people know the true meaning of meditation, especially its physical and mental benefits, let alone the reasons for these benefits.

Some people think that meditation is a kind of concentration on a subject, an idea or a specific sentence, while others think that meditation is an illusion that can bring us peace or personal satisfaction.

Yoga mat and round meditation

In fact, all of these methods help to reduce or even completely stop the continuous activity in our minds. However, it should be noted that these exercises are not real meditation, but rather more alternatives to meditation. In fact, it's hard to stop the mental turmoil completely, at least in the early stages of practice.

Phrasal thinking

Meditation is neither faith nor religion. In fact, meditation is a complete state of consciousness, which itself is a quality. It's not an act, it's a state of conscience, now. We are either in this state or not, no matter what we are doing now.

To be specific, one can think while completing various tasks, while another may be far away from contemplation, while he is sitting in the lotus position on the top of the mountain.

When we analyze the various interpretations of thinking, we often hear the definition of silence as the silent rest time for thinking. "Real" meditation goes far beyond that. This is a deep state of peace, when the mind is calm and silent but completely alert. This enables us to realize our true potential as human beings, even to increase it tenfold. But how can I?

Meditation and false belief

The most important thing to know is that meditation is not:

• Concentration (or visualization)

Concentration is an effort to focus on a particular object, thought or thought for a long time. Another form of concentration is visual technology.

• Out of control:

Sounds, sounds, and unintentional gestures have nothing to do with meditation or spirit. These are just signs of unconsciousness and loss of control over body parts, and reflexes when we are about to fall asleep.

• practice:

Yoga or breathing exercises are not meditation However, they may contribute to balance and thus to thinking.

• Spiritual efforts:

Self reflection ("Internal observation" to analyze one's feelings or state) and the posture and position of the body can be used to achieve a state of complete conscience, but mental effort has never been used. Repeating "I have to stop thinking" is not a state of contemplation. On the contrary, meditation requires relaxation.

So why do you think about it?

Nowadays, many researchers and scientists believe that meditation is one of the best ways to relieve and relieve stress. [(1)]

In Asian culture, however, meditation has been developed, practiced and recorded for thousands of years. Rice Meditation skills Hundreds of generations have been developing, trying and improving a way to enable one to achieve peace and mental peace often and easily. In the west, in order to improve physical and mental health, more and more people use these methods and adjust them to the needs of medical professionals and their patients.

A U.S. study by the National Institutes of health shows that people in different social occupations practice meditation. Different ages and genders had fewer medical examinations in the six months after these meditation exercises. A study by an insurance company also found that the medical costs of meditators are much lower than those of non meditators. [（3）]

Why does meditation work? The story of brain electrical activity

The theoretical and scientific explanation for the benefits of meditation is that it reduces the diffusion of catecholamines in the body ("organic compounds such as adrenaline and dopamine are hormones secreted by stress or physical activity") and increase The activity of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, namely the whole peripheral nervous system, is responsible for the electrical activity of the brain and its regulation.

Recent scientific advances have also revealed that meditation can alter the electrical activity of the brain, during which the brain sends out delta waves.

But what does electrical activity of the brain mean?

In fact, the frequency of electrical pulses in the brain is constantly changing to adapt to the surrounding environment. For example, the level of intensity or concentration required when we are driving in traffic jams ("anxiety and annoyance state") or when we are in a book under a tree ("anxiety and annoyance state").Relaxed stateOr when we take a shower or fight. Each situation requires different brain activity

Four brain waves

• BertaboIn activities such as driving or working, we test beta waves in the brain. When stress or anxiety occurs, the highest levels of these beta waves are reached, and organic compounds are released into the brain to enable us to withstand these stress states, but when the time is too long, repeated or intense, it is harmful to health. Beta waves are necessary, but the dose is small

• alpha waveThey are produced when we relax and relax, and brain activity slows down. When we watch TV, watch a book, take a walk in nature, or go to bed, we're in an alpha state.

• Thera waveThese waves are most common in dreams.

• DeltaThis is the slowest wave They are produced in a deep sleep, without dreams. It is in this situation that the brain releases the most beneficial hormones, such as growth hormone, to help the body heal. In this delta, children spend more time because their bodies need to grow and manage dramatic physical changes.

As we get older, we work faster, spend more time, and therefore sleep less. If we don't reach Delta State, our bodies don't have the necessary treatment. As a result, this accelerates ageing and may lead to deterioration of health conditions.

Recent studies have shown that meditation can cause the brain to send delta waves, so that metabolism can effectively restore, promote and accelerate healing. [（4）]

The main benefits and benefits of thinking:

Now that we have seen the true definition and characteristics of meditation, what can it bring to our body and mind?

• Cure all evils It helps to reduce stress, depression, prevent disease and reduce medical costs..Meditation is an effective way to reduce stress, which has the potential to improve the quality of life, reduce diseases and reduce medical costs.

• universalThinking is free, no effort. It can reach a state of consciousness in which stress producing mental and brain activity is inhibited without reducing vigilance and productivity.

• Let's enjoy lifeTrue thinking enables one to focus on the present moment rather than the past, which is unchangeable and concerned about the immutable future.

In other words, meditation slows the heart rate, breathing and blood pressure, restoring some balance between the body and the mind. It's a terrifying technology that can overcome stress and depression and focus on the important things in life like the present. The benefits of thinking are multifaceted, positive for body, mind and emotion.

Source:

[（1）]2012-Sue McGreevy-Massachusetts General Hospital Public Affairs

[（2）]2007-Lutz，Antoine；Dunne，John D.；Davidson，Richard J.（“Introduction a la Meditation et Neuroscience de la Full Conscience”）

[(3)] 2009 Achterberg J. ("countries studying health mediation practices")

[(4)]. Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.