Can meditation help achieve happiness and make people healthier both mentally and physically?
When you start meditating, your immediate reaction is that it’s too hard, you think you can’t do it, you are too busy, etc. The uncertainty about whether something will “work” or not often plagues many people at the beginning of their practice. Doubt just takes us away from experience before it teaches us anything. Ultimately, having regular mindfulness meditation seems so simple, but practice isn’t always easy. We have our brains to contend with, who throw up all these obstacles.
Basically, we have no excuse to not meditate. Everyone should have a few minutes to sit and let their minds settle.
We all have an inventory of daily tasks; it’s good to take in the inventory and see things from a distance. So, as you’re sitting and the thoughts come and go, you realize that they don’t have much importance.
The idea of a still mind is that when the mind is settled, that’s when you see all the miracles; that’s when you see beauty. This idea of letting the mind settle is a waking state. This enlightened state is what we’re all seeking. Everyone has talked about stillness throughout the ages—everyone who has informed us on how to really relate to the world.
Strengthening your mind in this way affects every aspect of your life: your emotional health and self-esteem, your work performance, your discipline, your relationships, your overall happiness, your stress levels, and your physical health as well.
People who meditate generally lead happier lives than those who don’t. Meditation is known to enhance the flow of constructive thoughts and positive emotions. Even a few minutes spent meditating regularly can make a big difference.
Sometimes, when people have tried to meditate but then lost interest, they wonder, “Is it really possible for anyone to meditate? Or is it just the chosen few?” While we might want to try meditation, it can sometimes be difficult to find the time, to be able to sit still, or to keep the mind from racing. According to meditation experts, just about anyone can learn how to practice meditation.
Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace, and balance that can benefit both your emotional well-being and your overall health. You can also use it to relax and cope with stress by refocusing your attention on something calming. Meditation can help you learn to stay centered and keep inner peace.
The benefits of meditation—mental, emotional, and physical—are innumerable, and there are no side effects to a small daily practice. You can learn to do it in as little as five minutes, and once you do, you’ll never forget. Doing it for as little as 10 minutes a day can make you happier and healthier, and doing it for as little as 30 minutes per day could change your life.
So, meditation is something that everyone needs. The society we live in is so fast. We’re so connected that nobody ever gets a break. We need the benefits of meditation more than ever.