Today, we have the entire world vouching for the profound benefits of meditation! People from all cultures - be it the East or the West, people from all walks of life - be it scientists, doctors , engineers or celebrities, have made meditation an integral part of their daily routine, enjoying its tremendous benefits.
However, despite its growing popularity, there are certain myths or misconceptions associated with it that keep some people away from trying meditation and receiving its amazing benefits. Some of the most common myths being, 'Where is the time for meditation?' or ' I am healthy, I don't need it!' or perhaps 'It is for the spiritual! I wish to enjoy this world, what's in it for me?'
Here's an attempt to dispel all such myths that have so far kept you away from such a Beautiful, Miraculously Beneficial, Nature-Given tool, which if utilized will take u to a different level altogether - where you begin to experience Total Health! Profound Intelligence! Absolute Clarity! Firm Determination! Sheer Energy! These are the very qualities that would not only enable you to enjoy this life much better but also make the ride worthwhile!
Myth 1 : Healthy people do not need to meditate.
Fact: Meditation is the greatest source of health – total health - that lasts!
For those who are passionate about physical fitness,
Vishvas Meditation does wonders for your body!
All physical exercises, be it in any form, have their limitations when it comes to benefits. However, Meditation knows no limits, for it takes care of the mind-body-spirit all at once! Its benefits are so vast and so deep that it continues to intrigue the scientists the world over. There are worldwide researches conducted on the subject and the scientists have begun to quantify its benefits in hundreds of studies.
- In a study of health insurance, meditators had 87% fewer hospitalizations for heart disease, 55% fewer for benign and malignant tumors, and 30% fewer for infectious diseases. The meditators had more than 50% fewer doctor visits than non-meditators.
- Meditation slows down aging. Those meditating five years or more were found 12 years younger than their chronological age.
- Meditation is more powerful than sound sleep. Meditation induces relaxation at a much deeper level than even sound sleep. ( see link meditation in bed'Meditation at Bed')
- Researchers tested novice meditators on a button-pressing task, requiring speed and concentration. Performance was greater at 40 minutes of meditation than after a 40-minute nap.
- Meditation increases blood circulation in beginning meditators by 30%, and in experienced meditators by as much as 65%.
- Meditation lowers oxygen consumption and increases exercise tolerance. Boosts stamina and energy levels.
- Reduces the wear and tear of the body, decreases muscle tension, relieves aches and pains.
- Brain scans of meditators show increased thickness in regions of the cortex associated with higher functions like will power, memory, clarity and decision making.
- Meditation is the best medicine for sleep, having no side effects. With regular meditation, long-term insomniacs can fall asleep within 20 minutes of going to bed.
- Those with smoking, alcohol and eating addictions, meditation helps them de-addict with significantly lower relapse rates than those receiving standard therapies.
- Meditation reduces blood sugar levels in diabetics.
- Meditation lowers blood pressure to levels comparable to prescription drugs for those who are normal to moderately hypertensive.
- Meditation has been endorsed by the NIH as highly effective for the relief of chronic pain. Chronic pain sufferers experience a reduction in symptoms by 50% or more.
A Miracle Medicine for the Mind-Body-Emotions
All said and done - no matter how toned, fit or strong you may be, sometime or the other we all fall prey to negative mind-states such as anger, reactions, ego, worries, grudges, feelings of loneliness and despair, that eventually lower our energy levels and stamina, and weaken our health. If the mind is not healthy & positive, physical health can never last! Here, Meditation acts as a miracle medicine, disassociating you from all unnecessary & unpleasant thinking, taking care of your mind, body & emotions all at once, bringing you into complete harmony and balance.
There are scientific evidences attached to it. Brain scans show that meditation shifts activity in the prefrontal cortex (behind the forehead) from the right hemisphere to the left. People who have a negative disposition tend to be right-prefrontal oriented; left-prefrontals have more enthusiasms, more interests, relax more, and tend to be happier.
(For more benefits, see link 'Benefits of Meditation')
Myth 2. Mediation distances you from worldly pleasures. The world no longer charms or interests a meditator.
Fact: Meditation is the Celebration of Life ! It is The Mastership! You handle and enjoy life, events and relationships much better with meditation.
Meditation adds charm to your Life !
And this charm is unconditional, deep rooted and unshakeable
As Swami Vishvas Ji says, "The outer material world has tremendous utility as it can provide the greatest comforts and facilities that are not to be condemned. Simply using it and not trying to own something that can be lost any moment is the ultimate secret to happiness."
The World of the Mind i.e. your mental world is full of worries, wishes, wonders, anxieties, expectations, disappointments, the who's, the why's and the why not's - a busy and noisy world that cannot be suppressed or ignored. Meditation is the inner cleansing that flushes out all unpleasant, unreasonable, negative and repressed thoughts that are detrimental, destructive and toxic to your happiness. Vishvas Meditation does not free you from the world. Rather, it frees you of illusions and unnecessary expectations of the world – restoring your balance, peace, love, joy and well-being that external circumstances cannot disturb.
Nonattachment with the temporary is the ultimate result of meditation as it brings you into the 'present', making you understand and accept the passing show of the material world - both personal and professional. Vishvas Meditation enhances your sense of acceptability and positivity. You begin to utilize positively and creatively all that Nature blesses you with, and yet not depend upon anything. Your sense of happiness is not conditional any longer. As a result, you begin to enjoy and cherish life much better!
Myth 3 : It is such a busy life! Where is the time to meditate???
Fact: Those who meditate have more time!
Meditation is Real Time Management
Meditation is the only process that is not demanding or time consuming! Just a few minutes of meditation is better than not doing it at all!
You will find a 101 reasons for not doing it, but you need only one reason to do it – do it for your health, happiness and balance - that should not get shaken or disturbed every now and then - in this busy, competitive, fast-paced and unpredictable life! Meditation does exactly this for you, and much more.......
There are busy, productive executives who have not missed a single meditation session in twenty-five years! In fact, the more time we spend meditating, the more time we actually gain! How? Meditation is a great re-filler of energy! It energizes, rejuvenates and refreshes your mind – body in a way that you begin to feel completely new! There are scientific tests done on meditators and the most amazing health benefits have been recorded. For instance, with regular meditation, the breathing and heart rate slows down, the blood pressure lowers, and the body decreases the production of stress hormones and other chemicals that speed up the aging process. Meditation develops a state of restful alertness that is extremely refreshing for the body and mind. As people become regular with meditation, they notice that they are able to accomplish more while doing less. Instead of struggling so hard to achieve goals, they spend more and more time "in the flow" – they become more productive, more creative and more energetic!
Myth 4 : Meditation is slow. It takes years to experience its benefits.
Fact: Meditation is pure fire! It acts like fire provided you are sincere with it.
The benefits of meditation are both immediate and long-term. As a matter of fact, meditation starts benefitting you from the very first session itself! Though you might begin to notice its impact in the first few days of daily practice. That is because we tend to believe that unless the change is big, there is no change! However, Rome was not built in day. The Grand is always built step by step! Every session of meditation has a scientific impact, and with regular meditation you begin to enjoy its benefits very soon. Many scientific studies provide evidence that meditation has profound effects on the mind-body physiology within just a few weeks! For example, a landmark study led by Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital found that as little as eight weeks of meditation helped people experience decreased anxiety and greater feelings of calm. It also produced growth in the areas of the brain associated with memory, empathy, sense of self, and stress regulation. The new meditators are often heard sharing their experiences that they are able to have a sound sleep for the first time in years, after just a few days of daily meditation. Other common benefits of meditation include improved concentration, decreased blood pressure, and enhanced immune function. (For more benefits, see link 'Benefits of Meditation')
Myth 5: Different Meditations have different techniques - such as concentration- visualization- recitation- breathing exercises etc.
Fact: All techniques are just mental exercises. Meditation is a state BEYOND MIND! Meditation has no technique. Meditation is your true nature.
Meditation is NOT Concentration. Meditation is a state of non doing- a state of inner watchfulness !
Simple watchfulness when turned inwards is called Meditation. Every human being is blessed with the 'third eye' to look within, just as we have the outer two eyes to look at the outer world. The moment we close our outer eyes, 80% of our energy starts getting conserved within, and we start witnessing inside automatically. This is when our third eye comes into play naturally, on its own! Whatever you get to witness inside - the thoughts, the emotions, the visuals, the memories, the imaginations - these are all projections of your mind. The material of the mind is like an unedited videotape. The One that is witnessing inside is your ' third eye', that Mother Nature has blessed us with! Hence, we do not require any technique, medium or support such as focusing points, imaginary images or mantras to enter within.
Meditation Vs Concentration
Here, we must understand that true meditation is a direct approach to the mind. Meditation should not involve any concentration technique or method, whatsoever. As long as you are giving your mind something to do, something to focus on- be it on any point, object, breath or any given word or 'mantra' - these are merely mental exercises that would keep you within the domain of the mind. Within the domain of the mind lies a mirage like state where you tend to feel that you have gained a little concentration, however that is very temporary. With so many distractions in the outer world, the concentration keeps wavering and eventually fades with the passage of time. Moreover, concentration techniques cannot bring about any behavioral changes or improvement in you. The mind is always in a state of doing – it judges, analyzes, condemns, concentrates, imagines, involves and focusses on people, places & things even when not required! It is this over-involvement of your mind in everything and everyone that has tired you enough and finally brought you to meditation. Now, if you continue to give your mind focusing points or concentration techniques in meditation also - you are further strengthening its habit of doing! You would never be able to rise above the dualities of your mind. Bliss, balance and lasting positivity comes from 'Beyond Mind' which is a state of total rest - where concentration techniques and mental exercises cannot reach. Only Meditation reaches there. As you watch & witness your mind, your thoughts - like an observer, a non-doer, a neutral energy- all mind's play begins to dissolve, all thoughts begin to drop - taking you Beyond Mind – the place where all powers exist - where all health, peace, energy and joy lies - and this place is unshakeable by external circumstances!
Meditation Vs Visualization
Imaginations are imaginations after all. They are make-believe. They are not real. Rather, they further distance you from reality! Your over imaginative mind has already caused enough suffering. Though it might begin with positive visualizations, but the mind ultimately gets into the habit of imagining things and later drifts to negative imaginations as well. The mind cannot filter once it gets into the habit of imagining! So if you continue to visualize or imagine in meditation as well, the entire purpose of meditation gets defeated, which is to bring you back to the 'present' moments that are more beautiful and powerful than any imagination in the world! The power of the present would amaze you once you stop imagining !!!
Meditation Vs Recitation
All such activities consume your energy. You should do only one thing at a time. When reciting- just recite! But when meditating – just watch – within! That's meditation!
It is so unfortunate that we do not ever make use of our third eye, the real reservoir of health and happiness, the actual source of all energy, the natural medicine bestowed upon us by the Almighty - to watch within – which ensures our good health, happiness and peace. Moreover, this medicine comes totally free!
(For further clarity, see link Meditation Vs Concentration)
Myth 6: Meditation is not for the worldly, ambitious or materialistic. It is only for the spiritually inclined.
Fact: Meditation is for everyone. We are all born meditators.
Meditation is Home Coming !
This process is like coming back to your real home after a hectic vacation.
You open the door, kick your shoes, sink into your favorite chair, close your eyes and know you are home at last!
Meditation is the very reminder of your true nature that you have long forgotton. A child is born with eyes closed, looking within. He is a witness to his inner world, inner being. The mind is not yet developed. He is in a state of thoughtlessness, living fully in present moments- a state so clear and uncluttered - a state of complete bliss, balance & health. He is in total Meditation! No wonder, his aura is so magnetic and appealing that everyone gets drawn to a child!
However, the child is unable to remain in this state for long. As the eyes open towards the outer world, there is no one to remind him of turning back within. Now the mind starts developing. The child accumulates all the thoughts, impressions, visuals and emotions from the outer world, which form his mind. The mind is an instrument to be used in the outer world for our betterment. However, with the passage of time, the child becomes so extrovert that he starts following his mind blindly. By the time he turns into an adult, he falls prey to negative mind-states such as stress, tensions, anxieties, panic, fears, doubts, depression, unnecessary judgements, grudges, complexes, comparisons, jealousies and all other dualities of the mind. So the same mind that was supposed to be utilized for our benefit, starts troubling us!
This is everyone's story. Irrespective of how well read, experienced or successful we may be, we are all victims of our mind. Unreasonable involvement in the mind's play is the root cause of all unhappiness, anger, ego and reactions. The mind is supposed to be your slave but it acts like a pseudo master (false master), because you have handed over your reigns to it - by obeying it blindly, by following it everywhere.
Meditation is home coming i.e. coming back to your original nature – which is to turn back within, watch, witness! This amazing process does miracles for you! As you continue with this process – the thoughts begin to fade, the mind begins to surrender itself, all conditionings of the mind begin to drop, all negative mind states dispel automatically, helping you regain your mastership over the mind. Then YOU rule! Eventually, your mind also turns positive. You no more struggle or suffer because of your thoughts. Rather you start utilizing the mind as an instrument, positively and creatively. Meditation makes you the Master of your mind.
Meditation is an inner cleansing
Develops total balance, health, fitness
Multiplies your energy, joy and peace by manifolds
Something that we all deserve, can achieve, provided we make ourselves available for it !!!