Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed a 45-hour meditation session at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu on Saturday, June 1. The spiritual retreat took place at Dhyan Mandapam, the site where great Hindu philosopher Swami Vivekananda is believed to have had a divine vision of ‘Bharat Mata’. Despite political criticism that meditation is merely a ‘photo shoot’, PM Modi’s visit highlighted the deep cultural and spiritual importance of meditation.
The Many Benefits of Meditation
Meditation is an ancient practice that offers many benefits that go far beyond just spiritual enlightenment. Here are some key scientifically-backed benefits: Dr Kedar Tilwe, Consultant Psychiatrist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund & Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi – Fortis Network Hospitals:
Reduces stress
One of the most well-known benefits of meditation is the fact that it reduces stress. Research from the Shamatha Project at the University of California, Davis has shown that mindfulness meditation significantly reduces levels of cortisol, the main stress hormone in the body. Even a short training in mindfulness can significantly reduce stress and improve overall emotional well-being.
Increase self-awareness
Meditation increases self-awareness in the sense that it encourages individuals to be non-judgmentally aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Increased self-awareness leads to greater self-understanding and personal growth. A study in Perspectives on Psychological Science shows how mindfulness can help people recognize and address their blind spots and weaknesses.
Improve your physical health
The benefits of meditation on your physical health are immense: it lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, and improves your overall cardiovascular health. A study in Circulation magazine showed that practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease.
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Better Sleep
It has been shown to enhance the effectiveness of treatment programs for insomnia and other sleep disorders. A recent study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindfulness training improves sleep quality more than general sleep hygiene practices, resulting in improved sleep and reduced daytime fatigue.
Pain management
Meditation can also help with pain management. Meditation is thought to enhance the brain’s ability to process pain, helping patients increase their tolerance to physical discomfort. Even amateur meditators reported a significant reduction in their perception of pain after just a few meditation sessions, according to a study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
Dealing with illness
In the case of chronic or fatal illnesses, meditation can have a strong relieving effect on patients. Studies have shown that it helps reduce activity in the stress and anxiety centers of the brain in women with breast cancer. Similarly, other studies have shown that mindfulness meditation can help reduce stress and fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Weight Management
Mindfulness meditation can help with weight management through mindful eating. A study from the University of California, San Francisco found that obese women who practice mindfulness and meditate daily are more likely to lose weight. This practice helps you become more aware of what you eat and trains your mind to taste food more.
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Recovery from Addiction
Meditation can be an effective way to overcome many types of addiction. According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, smokers who meditate daily are much less likely to reach for a cigarette. Meditation can help curb stress and other emotional reasons behind substance abuse.
Reduces anxiety and depression
Meditation can also help reduce anxiety and depression. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have found new evidence that incorporating mindfulness meditation may help reduce psychological stress. Participants in various studies reported significant reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms after practicing regular meditation.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 45-hour meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a powerful reminder of meditation’s deep historical and spiritual roots in India. Meditation has numerous scientifically-backed benefits, including stress reduction, increased self-awareness, improved health and a greater sense of mental well-being. Whether you want to improve your mental health, manage pain or simply live a more mindful life, meditation can truly bring about positive change.
