Meditation is a practice to relax and calm the mind and body. It uses the connection between a person’s physical health and her/his mind or spirit. Meditation can be done in many different ways. All of these ways focus a person’s awareness on the silence and stillness of the present moment to relax and calm the body and mind. University of Massachusetts professor Jon Kabat-Zinn says, “Meditation is simplicity itself. It’s about stopping and being present. That is all.” Father Thomas Keating adds that, “Meditation is for everyone, not just for monks.”

In meditation a person directs her/his attention toward a word, sound, image, prayer, or the breath, allowing the mind to settle into the present moment. The person becomes still and open to peace from within. It can be compared to a radio dial. Countless thoughts and feelings that preoccupy the mind each day are like static on a radio. Practicing meditation is like fine-tuning the radio dial. It can bring balance and harmony in the midst of continual change.

Meditation can be an important part of your health. Practicing meditation regularly can help calm your mind and body, which promotes healing. It can help a person meet challenges resulting from illness and long-term disease.

Many studies have shown the benefits of meditation. Several studies have shown that meditation training reduces anxiety and

increases positive emotions. Other studies have shown that a type of meditation (mindfulness)
prevents recurrences of depression. Meditation has proven helpful for the treatment of tension headaches, a skin condition called psoriasis, several cardiac (heart) conditions (high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and carotid atherosclerosis), high cholesterol, quitting smoking, and mental health disorders. It has also been found to be associated with an increased lifespan and improved thinking abilities of older individuals, less use of medical care, and reduced medical costs in the treatment of long-term pain. A 2004 meta-analysis (research that looks at the results of many studies) of a type of meditation called Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) found it useful for many long-term conditions such as depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, cancer, coronary artery disease, chronic pain, obesity, and eating disorders. Other research suggests that meditation can lead to increased happiness, which in turn results in a stronger immune system and less illness; and that happiness can be learned, like any other skill, using meditation.

In addition to physical health benefits, meditation leads people to deeper levels of spiritual connection. These benefits can be healing and useful for any condition.

• Find a quiet place to sit where you won’t be disturbed. Ear plugs may be useful if it’s noisy.