Meditation is helpful for mental equilibrium; for reducing anxiety, worry and sadness.
How does this happen? To understand the benefits of meditation we must understand the process.
It is the process of befriending the mind.
Before Meditation Before practicing meditation, generally there is little understanding of the mind.
It is like a special family member we've never met.
Comes with the family package.
Almost a total stranger.
Yet with rights.
Unstated rights to enter the home at any time, with any baggage.
Unquestioned.
The Decision At some point, you realize it might be possible to have a better handle on your mental state.
You've heard that meditation has mental health benefits.
And you decide to take the step and try meditation.
You basically have made the decision to take care of something no other person can take care of..
..
your mind.
Many can easily mess with your mind; many circumstances and people.
Out of desperation, curiosity or determination you make the decision to learn to meditate.
The Process Choosing the meditation that works for you is trial without errors.
It's a learning; a greater understanding of who you are perhaps at this time.
Without persistence, there will be little benefit.
You sit with spine straight and body relaxed, unaware of what the mind will parade before you.
There is no inner peace.
At least not yet.
Just an unending stream of thoughts.
Day after day.
You stick with it, then one day you realize there is some peace.
Within that process, you gain awareness that at the bottom of the many thoughts there is peace.
In spite of the many thoughts there is inner peace.
Mind Becomes Acquaintance You begin to understand that you can sit as you formally practice and watch the many thoughts, and remain uninvolved with them.
Sometimes you are very successful at watching.
Sometimes before you know it you are having a wrestling match with a thought.
Lots of energy in the ring.
Then when you realize, you drop out of the fight.
And there is victory.
The mind gets to parade thoughts, and you decide to watch it in serenity.
Mind Becomes Friend The challenge and gift is being able to transfer this skill of watching the mind in the daily activity of life.
To practice and practice until one day you notice you can watch that thought that reminds you that you are not enough pass by.
Maybe there is a little emotion.
It is alright.
It's just a little.
You can breathe through it.
Or chant through it.
Or simply witness it.
Whatever meditation technique you have been using, might kick in.
You no longer believe every thought the mind produces.
And you know the thought was there because it is from an old family tree.
There is inner peace.
Real Benefitsof Meditation Health benefits include a more balanced mental state with emotional freedom from unwanted thoughts and inner peace.
With the mind free of more and more baggage you are able to see things as they really are.
This accurate perception of self and life creates simplicity and inner freedom.