Indian Meditation, also known as Transcendental Meditation, was initiated by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and derived from the Vedas. In the exercise, a person sits with closed eyes and repeatedly chants Sanskrit mantras to connect with the Divine. The treatment of Mental Health has always been a challenging task. As a result, various new methods have been introduced over time to tackle mental health and related issues, out of which one of the fastest-growing trends is that of Mediation, which is deeply embedded in Hinduism.
Before understanding the process of Indian Meditation, it is essential also to understand how Vedic scriptures view the human body. The Inner faculty comprises the mind, intellect, Ego, and Chitta, which stores all memories and impressions. The deep inner self is the source of an individual's intellect, knowledge, and creativity. As per Vedic science, the deep inner self is responsible for activating the inner faculty, also referred to as the working consciousness, which is, in turn, responsible for activating the physical body. During Meditation, a feedback loop is provided, allowing a conscious connection with the deep inner self. The meditation process helps to take the mind to the inner faculty from the objective world.
Since 1970, much research on meditation has been conducted utilizing psychological and physiological techniques. These investigations have been conducted on experienced meditators with years of practice and new and inexperienced meditators. Similarly, it has been studied in groups of healthy people and individuals with physical or mental problems. A data review shows that meditation positively impacts the autonomic nervous system, including lowering blood pressure, reducing heart rate, and using less oxygen. Along with lower activity in the brain's emotional centers, other typical results related to meditation include higher alpha waves in the brain, which are associated with profound relaxation, and theta waves, which are connected to feelings of serenity and pleasure. There also appears to be improved emotional maturity, resilience, learning, memory, and perceptual skills.
Studies in the clinical population have shown improvements in sleep, quality of life, well-being, self-compassion, and psychological flexibility, as well as reductions in stress and anxiety, rumination, trauma symptoms, depression, and addiction. Studies on the benefits of meditation for physical health have frequently identified improvements in conditions including hypertension, cardiovascular illness, respiratory disease, musculoskeletal disease, better pain management, headache, skin conditions, and immunological response. It is also crucial to proceed cautiously. Certain negative effects have been linked to distress owing to the recurrence of painful memories or unpleasant thoughts, according to certain research. Additionally, before introducing meditation to patients with psychotic illnesses, a clinician's opinion is required. A deliberate decision must be taken.
It has been well-known that Meditation helps attain enlightenment for a long time. It is food for the soul and helps increase daily productivity. Some of the physical as well as emotional benefits of Meditation are
It is not uncommon to experience negative life events, which can be a source of emotional distress. Meditation allows individuals to let go and not crumble under tormenting situations.
Researchers have established that Meditation helps reduce stress, saving the body from its negative effects and eventually slowing down the aging process.
Studies indicate that Meditation helps on reducing exhaustion and boosts energy. In addition, Meditation promotes positive emotions and relaxation of the mind and body.
Mediation has been proven to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression at all stages of life.
Meditation allows individuals to focus on themselves at a given moment instead of brooding over the past or worrying about the future. This helps improve focus and increase the attention span.
Studies indicate that Meditation helps relieve the body from chronic pain and helps heal chronic health conditions. Meditation has proven effective in lowering blood pressure levels and improving the immune system and sleep quality.
Meditation has proven to improve interpersonal relationships, and individuals become aware of themselves and are less likely to shift the blame of things onto others and become more accepting of their mistakes.
Meditation is one of the most widely recommended practices for improving mental health and well-being. Various studies have backed that Meditation effectively alleviates the symptoms of anxiety and depression and improves cognitive processes. Some studies conducted in the past point out that Meditation can have harmful effects in the long run. Some of the downsides of Meditation are as discussed
Studies suggest that because individuals focus on their emotions and feelings during Meditation, they are likely to focus on the negative and the positive emotions. Sometimes, memories of traumatic life events come rushing back and can cause significant anxiety and distress.
Meditation has proven to help improve relationships with oneself, but it may also lead to difficulties in bonding with others. Meditation can lead to feelings of dissociation from the world and not being willing to connect with others.
Some meditation principles promote detached living, as a result of which individuals may begin to feel disconnected from everything and have very little motivation to work or carry out any activities.
Experts suggest that Meditation increases vigilance and alertness, resulting in which individuals may be prone to sleep problems such as insomnia or disturbed sleep.
Studies indicate that people who often meditate may experience negative physical symptoms such as gastrointestinal problems, frequent headaches, involuntary movements, fatigue, weakness, and dizziness.
Over the past few decades, meditation has been increasingly incorporated into counseling and psychotherapy due to its numerous advantages. Benson's relaxation response was the precursor, and Jon Kabat-Mindfulness-Based Zinn's Stress Reduction Program helped it gain popularity. A movement to incorporate meditation with contemporary psychology emerged, with examples being Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention. The traditional mindfulness-based stress reduction program lasts eight weeks and is delivered in a group setting. Daily individual meditation, extra homework that takes at least 30 minutes, and a 2.5-hour group meeting are all required.
Yoga and meditation have been extensively studied and used in India's healthcare context. One may discover a wealth of literature in this field given the range of meditation-contemplation and philosophical systems that are accessible in the nation, with both specialists in these systems and a populace open to these systems. One such program, Sattva Enhancement Therapy and Sattva Cultivation Program, was created at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences in Bengaluru by integrating yoga psychology and meditation. It is crucial to remember that these traditions are founded on the conviction that inner freedom is a reality that must be personally and directly experienced to be realized. As a result, a global movement currently encourages psychologists to practice yoga and meditation for themselves first before instructing others on how to do so.
The Vedic scriptures define Meditation as an exercise of expansion of the consciousness of human beings beyond the outer realm. Meditation is a process that goes beyond an individual's physical self to the deep inner self. Although it can be seen that Meditation has both positive and negative impacts on individuals' emotional, mental and physical well-being, the positive impacts outweigh the drawbacks. Meditation, as a practice, has been initiated from the Vedic times and still is one of the most effective and widely suggested methods of tackling mental health-related issues, and that is for a reason.
Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Economics
Psychology
Environmental Science
Social Studies
Fashion Studies
English