Meditation As Medication
Meditations as a Technique less useful compared to Meditative Life Style
Meditation
µ Root word – ‘Medere’ which means to make ‘whole’. Healing also comes from the same root word.
µ Found in all cultures, religions and regions (West/East).
µ Has taken on a very esoteric meaning but is just a disciplined way of reflecting on self, one’s relationship with the world and God, present and future path of life and meaning/higher purpose in life.
µ The techniques and range differs from practices of concentration, awareness or altered states of consciousness. It may be focused (Mantra) or non directional.
µ It may be a practice for a short time or a way of being (with a particular life style).
µ It is most effective when practiced with non-judgment attitude of gratitude while letting go of thoughts and emotions.
µ It may be individual or group. It may be accompanied by incense, music, special colors or light etc.
Meditation Techniques
Rajyoga
Transcendental
Vipassana
Patanjali
Pranayam
Sudershan kriya
Budhist
Others
Principles of Meditation
u Relaxation
u Oxygenation
u Imagery
u Visualization
u Concentration
u Self-hypnosis
u Cognitive Therapy
u Peak-experiences
u Secretion of endorphines
How Meditation works?
n It raises the energy levels and strengthens the immune system to fight/ward off illnesses.
n It induces relaxation response and the associated psychophysiolgical processes.
n It acts on the Karmic/Sanskar levels to neutralize the causes and effects of illness.
n It enhances the positivity of the person about self and healing, thus setting off chain reactions of healing.
n It induces a connection to the source (God) to draw the power to heal.
n It stimulates life style changes which are useful for self healing and allow the external healing forces to act better.
If practiced regularly for 20-45 minutes (once/twice per day), all meditations produce the relaxation response accompanied by –
} Decreased heart rate and blood pressure
} Increased blood flow to brain and heart
} Positive changes in EEG, EMG and skin resistance
} Improved sleep and digestion
} Less irritability, anxiety and depression on rating scales
} Less frequency and duration of illnesses
} Decreased accidents and man days lost at work
} Improved interpersonal relationships
} Improved scores on self actualization inventories, emotional and spiritual quotients.
BENEFITS OF MEDITATION AT BODY-MIND LEVEL FOUND IN –
¤ Allergies
¤ Asthma
¤ Anxiety
¤ Acid-peptic disease
¤ Cancer
¤ Coronary disease
¤ Depression (Neurotic)
¤ Diabetes
¤ Hypertension
¤ Irritable bowel syndrome
¤ Migraine
¤ Substance abuse (Tobacco & Alcohol also)
¤ Tension headache etc.
¤ Healing and recovery from all diseases enhanced.
Relative Contra Indications
Æ Psychosis
Æ Severe Depression
Æ Confusional States
Æ Extreme Anxiety
Æ Dementias
Meditation and Medication
² Meditation need not be instead of medical treatment and can be co-prescribed.
² Meditation need not be only for ‘patients’ but medical and paramedical professionals also benefit from it, especially for their own stress.
² Meditation as medication at medical establishment improves the functioning and rates of recovery as well as reduces cost of treatment with comprehensive, holistic recovery of the client at all levels.
² There is now increasing evidence of efficacy of many therapeutic techniques like Yoga, Meditation, Prayers and Spirituality based interventions.
² There is increasing desire by the society and mental health professionals to integrate values in self and in therapy as well as adopt a transpersonal, humanistic approach.
We are spirit materialized, engaged in spiritualizing matter.
We are not human beings, having a spiritual experience.
We are spiritual beings, having a human experience.