meditation Archives - Page 24 of 25 - Wellness Through Mindfulness

WHY IS THE BREATH SUCH A GOOD OBJECT TO USE AS AN ANCHOR FOR MEDITATION?

Mindful Musing meditation, mindfulness, wellness 0 Comment

The breath is a great object to start to practice meditation. It is an external object that we don’t intentionally create when we are open to its natural movement. It is always present and available. No one breath is the same as another breath. Every inhalation and exhalation comes to an end. We don’t tend to personalize a breath and call it our own. In examining the breath we are able to see the true nature of reality. It is always changing and impermanent. Can we also develop the same self-less awareness of the breath for every other object that comes in to our awareness?

– Phil Blustein

WILL WE LIVE FOREVER IF WE MEDITATE?

Mindful Musing meditation, mindful blog

Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Telomere length is decreased in chronic stress and depression. Telomere length is important for cell longevity. Scientific studies have demonstrated that meditation may protect telomeres by decreasing stress hormones and by increasing hormones that protect the telomere. If we meditate will we live forever?

HOW IS MINDFULNESS DIFFERENT THAN RELAXATION, CONCENTRATION OR THINKING ABOUT MY PROBLEMS?

Mindful Musing breathing, meditation, Q&A, types of meditation

Mindfulness is an active process that directs one to be present in the moment and see the true nature of what one is experiencing with non-reactivity. It is allowing what is present to be held with the acceptance of mindfulness. There is no attempt to ignore, deny or think one’s way to an answer.
– Phil Blustein

WHY DOES MEDITATION WORK

Mindful Musing meditation, mindfulness meditation

Functional MRI brain scans have demonstrated increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, insula and anterior cingulate cortex. These areas are important for the executive function of our brain including awareness, concentration, decision making, memory, emotional regulation, coping and self-referencing. The brain’s “fight or flight” centre, the amygdala that is associated with fear and emotion decreases in activity in response to mindfulness. There is a decreased connection between the amygdala and other parts of the brain and increased connection with higher brain areas. There are also structural changes in our brain with thickening of our cortex. Therefore as we meditate we change how our brains work that results in greater calm, loving kindness, compassion, equanimity and self-regulation. As we practice mindfulness ultimately the practice does us!
– Phil Blustein

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION?

Mindful Musing meditation, mindfulness, wellness

Mindfulness is mainstream now. It is on the cover of Time magazine and Scientific American. If it is on those journals it must be good. It is reassuring to know that there is scientific evidence to support the value of meditation. Some of the proven benefits of meditation are stress reduction, decreases depression relapses, helps sleep disorders, better coping with cancer, decreases hypertension, helps the irritable bowel syndrome, improves psoriasis, helps cope with pain and promotes loving kindness and compassion.
– Phil Blustein