Benefits of Meditation: A First-Hand Experience

The benefits of meditation are researched with discoveries found every day. My own experience and discovery with meditation a few hours ago is worth sharing. From relaxation techniques used in my meditation today, I overcame a headache which, more than likely from past experience, would have turned into a migraine.

First-Hand Experience

From a whiplash injury, stress to my neck often results in headaches. I shoveled snow from the driveway yesterday and awakened in my sleep last night with a headache at the base of my head. I realized I probably lifted too much snow which resulted in stress to the neck.

A few hours later when I got out of bed, the headache was also in my forehead and eyes. I knew from past experience that this headache would probably increase. In the past, I used essential oils and usually went to bed for a day or two until the headache ended. However, this time I did something different. I sat down to meditate.

Relaxation Techniques

I began the meditation with concentration on the name of God I use, which is KRSNA. I brought my focus to my breath and every third breath or so, I said KRSNA's name. I also meditated on his form. I continued with this practice for one hour and all the while, noticed thoughts, body sensations, and even sleepiness. I always reminded myself these manifestations are not me, that I am observing them and I kept my concentration on breathing and saying KRSNA's name.

Inner Peace

After an hour of meditating in this way, I felt very little pain in my head. My energy was a little low so I read a book on God and just accepted my condition. Now, about 2 hours after meditation, I feel good and there is no trace of pain. In fact, I feel good enough to write this article. The inner peace from experiencing the benefits of meditation are pretty exciting. To see how a one hour meditation healed the headache and brought back my energy is very encouraging.

Meditation Research

The first time I heard of meditation was in regards to a study conducted on yogis who could lie in snow and raise their body temperature and melt the snow. I realized then that my own exploration of possibilities was limited. A few years after that, I heard about a research institute that put people who were meditating on computers. This study was to see what was happening in their brains. It was found the two hemispheres of the brain become synchronized during meditation. This results in higher concentration, stress reduction and profound relaxation. According to GertJan de Leeuw, author of God: The Architect, "Besides psychological rest, meditation will result in the power of controlling the restless mind. With results like this, I'll trade a headache for one hour of meditation any day.

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Sources:

Author's Experience
God: The Architect

Benefits of Meditation copyright 2011