We intend to show you in this article how meditation can help alleviate pain – in fact you could even get rid of pain by using certain yoga techniques. The great thing is that they are not terribly difficult to do nor are they tough to pick up or to follow on a regular basis. It may be an ancient practice but it is still performed the world over when it comes to handling stress in an effective manner. Meditation involves contemplation and focus and it turns inwards to ensure that there is a sense of peace and calm within you.
Different techniques are available and may be performed with chants, meditation music or in absolute silence. The focus could be on some object close by or you could focus on the breaths that you take as they go in and out of your body. No matter what the approach used, a quiet environment and a fixed uninterrupted time span will be required.
Next, you are going to select the object that you want to focus on, like a certain phrase or word or maybe even your breath or a physical object, then you will should yourself into a comfortable position – not supine or you might fall asleep. The ultimate aim is to reach a state of a mild trance, a state where you are aware of your surroundings yet detached from it. This Alpha state is a good one to achieve but for those who want more, there are deeper, more still states that can be achieved with practice.
Most religions including Christian mystical tradition, Judaism, Sufism and Buddhism consider meditation as one of the important aspects of spiritual practice – more so Buddhism of course. When it is used within the actual context of the teachings of Buddhism, it can be an indication of directing or controlling one’s mind inward in an actual quest for enlightenment. While it can be done anywhere, anytime and in any position, what you will find is that the best way to do it is in the sitting position which is known as ‘zazen’.
In relationship to meditating, there are several psychological and physical benefits that have been documented, several of them arising out of a research project that was conducted by Professor Herbert Benson at the Harvard Medical School. Studies have demonstrated that as little as 20 minutes a day aids in the reduction of blood pressure, muscular tension, heart and breathing rates and in lowering metabolism. If you are fortunate enough to reach deep states you will start seeing psychedelic colors, mental imagery and also hear your internal voice. It has been proved by follow-on studies that meditation also relieves stress, headaches, anxiety, fatigue, migraine, chronic pain and insomnia.
The good news is that with better self awareness, comes a better state of health and well-being for you both in mind as well as body and you find yourself functioning much better that you thought possible. While traditionally meditation was a tool to get you to a higher spiritual level, today it is also used to help you manage the stresses and tension that are a part and parcel of the modern lifestyle. When you combine yoga and meditation, you will find it a perfect recipe to help you to a life without stress and tension.