What is meditation for

Today, there are many people who meditate, including some of their acquaintances; But there was a time when this practice was not so available. For centuries, monks and nuns, mystics and wandering ascetics have kept this art secret, using it to achieve higher states of consciousness and to reach the apex of the path they were touring. The rigorous practice of meditation was prerogative of few chosen, willing to give up the world and dedicate all its existence.

Today the times have changed: from the ZEN of the fifties of the last century, to the influence of Yogis and Indian swings in the sixties, to the current interest in Mindfulness, meditation has become a common practice and Its benefits are already well known, while the practical advantages it provides are announced in all means, physical and virtual. With this psychology-online article we will try to understand, then, What is meditation for.

1. What is meditation
2. What happens to you during meditation
3. How to start meditating for beginners

What is meditation

Meditation is a way of come into contact with the deepest part of oneself, In that area where an immense information baggage is hidden, where reality takes a different definition of how we normally know it.

There are different types of meditation, and is found in all the cultures and religions of the world, because it works. Although the forms are different, some principles are common to all forms. In fact, meditation is the practice of concentrate on a particular object, Generally something simple, such as a word or a phrase, flame of a candle or a geometric figure, or the inspiration and exhalation of breathing.

In everyday life, the mind continues to process a mountain of sensations, visual impressions, emotions and thoughts. In general, when you mediate, you concentrate, trying to limit the stimuli that bombard their nervous system, while calming the mind.

What happens to you during meditation

Meditation is the practice of paying attention and focusing one's consciousness. When meditated, pleasant things begin to happen, first small changes, then more and more radical:

1. When you can Focus awareness, You have more power. When you focus any form of energy, including mental energy, you have more power.
2. Improve concentration: When you focus your mind, you concentrate better; When you concentrate better, you act better. You can do more in the study, in the office, in sports, in any activity. In this article we talk in depth on improving concentration.
3. Precisely for this reason, spiritual teachers and texts often suggest practicing meditation only in the context of other spiritual activities and disciplines, which help Develop compassion and wisdom, so that this power can be used correctly.
4. The senses are used more completely. Although some consider meditation as an ascetic practice that serves to control the senses, you can also sharpen them, very sensual ways. Anything you like - food, sex, music, art, massage, etc. - It can be even more pleasant through meditation. When you really pay attention to something, you make it much more pleasant; And you don't need to increase the dose to feel pleasure, so you can enjoy it without excesses.
5. Meditation increases awareness and sensitivity, and therefore it is an excellent antidote for stunning and distraction.
6. The mind calms And you can feel an inner sense of peace, joy and well -being.
7. You can directly try the transcendent interconnection that already exists, and be more aware of it.
8. Improve attention: Meditation supposes training to attend an object, while distractions are allowed to pass, so it also improves attention.

Here you will find more information about the benefits of meditation for the brain.

How to start meditating for beginners

One of the good things of meditation is that, in reality, it is a very simple activity. All you have to do is sit in silence, pay your attention inside and concentrate. If you want to experience the feeling of meditation, follow these instructions:

1. Find a quiet and quiet place and Sit comfortably with the back quite straight. If your favorite chair gives you a hug that you can't escape, look for a chair that supports you more.
2. Take a deep breath, Close your eyes and relax.
3. Choose a word or phrase that has a special or spiritual meaning for you. Some examples: "There is only love", "Be happy", "Believe in God".
4. Start breathing through your nose and while you breathe, repeat within yourself, without verbalizing it, the word or phrase you have chosen. You can whisper it, even subvocalize it (that is, move the tongue to pronounce it, but without marking it out loud), or repeat it in the mind. If you are distracted by something, return to the word you were repeating. If you find difficulty breathing by the nose, do it by the mouth. Alternatively, Concentrate on breathing, In the air that enters and comes out of the nostrils, repeating it every time you realize that you are distracted.

Keep meditating during 5 minutes, Or even more, then slowly get up taking up your daily activities. Paying constant attention can transform everything we do in a form of meditation; Any activity that we undertake with concentration and consciousness becomes meditation. In this article you will find more information about meditation techniques for beginners.

This article is merely informative, in psychology-online we have no power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is meditation for, We recommend that you enter our category of meditation and relaxation.