Meditation Explained

To explain Meditation we should start with the Definition. But even that is not as easy as it sounds.

Because Meditation has been around for thousands of years, and is interwoven throughout the different cultures and religions of the world, one definition to keep everyone happy is a task indeed!

But we have to make a start, so; Meditation is ‘A mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the reflexive ‘thinking’ mind – into a deeper state of relaxation.

The above statement is the desire – or process of Meditation.

The benefits have been ‘felt’ for thousands of years, but now science has evolved to ‘prove’ what is actually happening.

The Science of Meditation

It has long been known that meditation slows breathing, heart rate and blood pressure.

As a relaxation tool alone, meditation is a very effective method to combat stress.

But recent scientific breakthroughs have given a different insight.

Your brain, which is a continual hive of electrical signals, alternates between four different states.

Brainwave Patterns

The frequency of the electrical impulses are continually changing to match your worldly experience.

Think of the different intensities, or focus needed for driving in traffic or reading under a tree; taking a bath or having an argument. Every situation you encounter requires different brain function.

You experience Beta brain-wave patterns for engaging activities. Driving, working, planning…
The top end of this Beta range is reached during periods of stress or anxiety.

The chemicals released from the brain when in this state are necessary for us to function, but prolonged, repeated or continual
exposure has dire health effects. Beta is necessary – but small bursts are preferred.

Alpha brain wave patterns are produced when you are relaxed and your brain activity has slowed. You are most likely in an Alpha state when watching television, reading a book, or just before falling asleep.

Theta brain waves are most commonly encountered within dreams, but are also related to moments of deep insight or revelation.

The Delta state is the slowest brain wave pattern. It occurs in deep, or dreamless sleep. It is only in this state when the brain releases many beneficial hormones (such as Human Growth Hormone) which helps to heal the body.

Children spend more time than adults in this Delta State. It is necessary for their bodies to grow and to handle great physical changes.

As we age, we work longer, have more demands on our time, and usually sleep less.

The result is that we spend far less time in this Delta state.

Without reaching the Delta state, our body does not give itself the care it needs. This has the effect of speeding the aging process, and can lead to a decline in our health.

But as I said at the start – science has caught up. They realized that we also enter the Delta state while in Meditation.

The Benefits of Meditation

All people who have meditated throughout history have ‘felt’ these benefits, but those of you currently meditating, or are about to try, be assured science also agrees that meditation is an excellent tool to tune your mind and body.

Independent of religion or belief, or even the method used to enter a meditative state; the benefits to the mind and body are universal.

But more than that; Meditation also provides an opportunity to connect with your true self, your spiritual purpose and what is known as the universal knowledge. It is common to experience great insights or think of a solution to a problem – without even trying.

So the benefits of Meditation are multi-pronged. It helps the Body, Mind, Emotion and Spirit.

Meditation is the act, or practice, of moving beyond conscious thought, into a greater state of relaxation.



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    24 Responses to “Meditation Explained”

    • Thats a great article! Ive never heard it explained like that before. Thank you. I am goin to be more aware of what brain state im in now… should be interesting, haha :)
      I just found this site… will look around to see what else you have, Thanks Again, Michael.

    • Linda said:

      I havent ever heard meditation explained that way either. Thankyou for the explaination for brainwaves. Linda

    • Lori said:

      A great article. Enjoyed your overview of the subject of meditation. Just trying to start incorporating it into my life as I have wanted to but not been ready to do it. Thanks L.

    • Lynne Faulkner-Low said:

      This article is excellent Nigel. Very informative. Thank you for sharing . . . as you are providing a service that is much needed at this time! A great Website . . . where much can be learned.

    • [...] Color Healing Meditation Meditation can be used for many things. Increased connection with your true-self, to reduce stress, for [...]

    • Nigel Coates said:

      Thanks Michael, Linda, Lori and Lynne. Your support is greatly appreciated. Covering these ‘new-age’ ideas with science helps many people with their ‘understanding’.
      Lots more to come! :)

    • Helen Thibeault said:

      Nigel, Thank You for your recent e-mails. I am just starting on my meditation journey and I found this article on the process and benefits of meditation extremely informative.

      I totally enjoyed your smile meditation article also. Your sense of humor is refreshing and the information was great. Looking forward to more e-mails about exploring meditation.

      Helen

      • Nigel Coates said:

        Thanks Helen, I appreciate your support :) As I learn – I share! And I like to have fun when I write… I always have. My English school teacher’s covered my essays in red marker, and then gave me a good mark.

    • mumtaz ahmad said:

      hi very happy to see this site in discussion of meditation,which is being in practice since beganing of universe, actually it need to publcise to comman man of this electronic age. i admire your effort.God beless you

      • Nigel Coates said:

        Thanks Mumtaz, I really like that meditation is independent of any one religion of belief. It is universal! And … people receive the benefits that are perfect for them. Whether it be from an hour a day, or 10 minutes ‘whenever they can’. If more and more people take the time to stop, and listen to their true thoughts, the world would be a better place. Namaste, Nigel.

    • Kathy said:

      Very informative!!!!! I love it!

    • Suzanne said:

      I love it. The wording is perfect and easy to understand. No fancy lingo that will put people off – just telling it how it is. I used to do meditation many many years ago (but for whatever reason at the time didn’t continue with it) and reading this reminded me of some of the benefits I used to feel then. This, plus other positive work on the self, has inspired me to start again.

      I also tried the colour shower meditation and that was awesome – I could feel the colour changes within me, washing over me, again reminding me of the chakra work we used to do at class.

      I am so enjoying this new phase of my life. Thank you for being there to help :o )

      • Nigel Coates said:

        A pleasure Suzanne. I get lost in big words – so I keep it simple so I know what I’m talking about, haha. I created the Color Shower meditation 2 years ago now when I first created Explore Meditation. From start to finish it took me a couple of hours – But the comments I have received from it will stay with me forever. Utilizing my skill-set to be of service is so very rewarding. Namaste, Nigel.

    • PRASHANT said:

      Hello,

      I am not agree at all about the difinition or explanation of Meditation.Certainly it is not the dicipline of mind.It is in the simplest way I can say ” Mind is the absence of meditation,meditation is the absence of mind”.Mind do spritual Gymnastics only.It can not take you in any conclusion.

      regards,
      Prashant

      • Nigel Coates said:

        Oh, that’s gold. ‘Mind is the absence of meditation, meditation is the absence of mind.’ Im going to use that ;) Thanks.

    • kanti said:

      Excellant article! The benefits of meditation explained very lucidly. A good exposure on meditation benefits. A must read for people interested in retarding the aging process.

    • Azmat said:

      Precise,short and simple .well explained.Thanks.
      keep up the good work to make the world a better place.
      Thanks again.

    • Christel said:

      Thank you Nigel for the explanations on brain waves… insightful.

      • Nigel Coates said:

        I know people learn in different ways, not only varying between visual, auditory and kinesthetic preferences… but some people or more logical and like a comlete understanding of the science (facts) behind it. I was meditating intuitively – but the logical explanation gave me reassurance.

    • Lisa said:

      Hi Nigel,
      Like others before me, I’m just starting on my journey with meditation and every single thing you said about it made perfect sense! The thing I’m finding the hardest at the moment is to leave my conscious mind behind, my ‘chattering’ thoughts keep interrupting the peace :( I know I’ll get there though, and thanks for this awesome site!! Love & Light, Lisa :)

      • Nigel Coates said:

        Hi Lisa, welcome to Explore Meditation. Don’t Fight The Chatter! It just makes more chatter, haha. Continually start fresh everytime you slip – without judgement on your efforts. With every breath … you start fresh. AND, guided meditation is a great way to give your conscious mind something to focus on. This free guided meditation http://www.exploremeditation.com/psychic-protection/ is just 4 minutes and moves along well. Although its a stepping stone to traditional meditation – many people happily remain with guided meditation forever :) Namaste, Nigel.

        • Lisa said:

          Hi Nigel,
          Just wanted to get your thoughts on something.
          To cut a long story short, occasionally I see what looks like a crystal ‘shimmer’ (a mirage like vision with a revolving ‘crystal’ rainbow of colours the way light shines through rain etc) when I’m talking to people, usually in my peripheral vision so I can never look at it directly. One time the ‘shimmer’ appeared while I was driving so I pulled up at a park & decided to meditate to a crystal bowl mp3 I have. For about 30mins, nothing. Then I got an itch on my face and without unclasping my hands I went to scratch it and boom! Explosion of white light.
          It was similar to the ‘shimmer’ but more solid looking, and the colours weren’t rainbow based, but more dark greens, blues and browns and had a decidedly more ‘kaleidoscope’ feel. I have no idea what this means, and to this day I still have quite a bit of chatter. But I’m excited at the possibilities! Can you please help at all?
          Thanks x :)

    • awakening my inner love said:

      Hello, I truly appreciate the article Nigel. I am in the process of studying for a final in a few hours, so to ease the anxiety I will go and attempt to enter a delta state. Wisdom is an ever fascinating tool one that I keep getting more addicted to. It is encouraging to see and be apart of such an awesome online community. Love and Peace.

      • Nigel Coates said:

        With only a few hours to go, I would focus more on controlled breath (breath awareness meditation) and physical awareness (scanning your body looking for areas of tension). If anxiety is making your shoulders tight, for example, you will be expending a lot of energy to contract those muscles, and the even flow of energy around your body may be blocked. Beta and Alpha states are perfect for exams, when intense mental activity is needed … The associated problems only arise when these states are held for E X T E N D E D preiods. All the best with your exams!

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