Meditation Works

People often ask, "Why is meditation helpful?"  There is mounting scientific evidence that shows how meditation effects brain function and psychological well being. What I think is most helpful about meditation is the influence and impact it can have on the way you relate to your mind. For clients who struggle with anxiety and depression this tool can be enormously helpful.

Those who learn to meditate regularly, even if it is for only 10 minutes a day,  find that the process of reflecting on thoughts, feelings, and sensations with a mindful approach not only quiets the mind while doing the meditation, but perhaps more importantly, it also can change the way one relates to the mind in day to day life.  Not only does the quieting of the mind persist beyond the time of the experience,  but for many who practice meditation with some regularity, there is a shift that occurs in how one views one's own internal world. An example here can illustrate what I am describing.

Often the focus of a particular meditative practice is on the breath.  What most of us find when we sit in silence for a few moments trying to bring our attention to the breath is that thoughts 'interfere" or "intrude" on the process.  Sometimes when I meditate I find that a single thought enters my mind and returning to the breath can be quite simple.  Other times when I meditate a narrative can develop that is quite involved.  Sometimes my mind will get lost or caught up in attempts at solving a problem, other times I might discover that I am thinking about what needs to be put on the grocery list.   Whatever it is, during these moments my mind is not being particularly mindful as evidenced by the fact that it isn't focusing on the breath.

When doing mindful meditations one is encouraged to notice the thought or thoughts, and then simply return to the breath.  By learning this process one also recognizes that so many of our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions are simply manifestations of the mind.  Unfortunately many of us relate to these internal experiences as if they are reality and for some this can lead to negative emotional responses that can ultimately lead to significant issues with mood.

For instance, the thoughts of the anxious parent who creates "what if" scenarios feels a sense of worry and dread as they go through their daily life.  They may worry that their child is going to be bullied at school, or they may worry that their child will never have any friends.  These thoughts create anxiety.  The mindful meditator can learn to recognize that in and of themselves, the thoughts are simply thoughts.  Their value is nothing more or less than that.  This approach to thoughts, feelings, and perceptions can result in a dramatic reduction in anxiety and for someone who suffers from that malady it can be enormously helpful.

Many people find that it is difficult to create a time and space daily for meditation.  If that is the case and you are not inclined to do a daily practice, mindfulness approaches can still be helpful.  The example I like to use is the next time you are feeling stressed because you are late for something, shift the focus of your mind to your breath.  Notice where the breath is as you inhale and exhale.  You can also focus on other sensations in the body.   If you are in line at the store and you need to be somewhere else focus your mind on the body.  Consider the sensation of your feet touching the floor, or examine the the texture of the objects in your hands. When you discipline yourself to focus the mind on these things you will notice a momentary relief and you may very well find that there is a reduction in the stress that you are feeling.