Benefits of Meditation

September 5th, 2011 at 9:00 am (Health Coach, Mindful Living, Yoga & Meditation)

Meditation is a powerful practice that can change your brain, improve your health and the enhance the quality of your life.

There is a misconception that you have to “do” meditation and “do it right.” I believe that meditation is about bringing our primary focus into being rather than doing; aim to be with our breath, be with our thoughts, be with our feelings/challenges/pain.

Mindfulness practices focus on being present and aware of what you are feeling, doing and sensing as it is happening. A seated meditation practice offers the opportunity for us to sit and be even though there are infinite things to do.

Here are a few of the benefits of meditation:
Reduces stress by calming the nervous system
Improves memory and learning
Improves sleep quality
Creates feeling of peace, calm and centeredness
Cultivates connection to Self/Source
Enhances creativity and problem solving ability
Creates present moment awareness
Changes your brain structure and function

There is a wide variety of techniques available that include seated meditation, walking meditation, mindfully eating and just about any activity you do can take on a meditative quality and awareness.

Do you want a simple technique to start today? This video introduces a heart meditation practice check it out and begin today!

  • http://www.vickidellojoio.com Vicki Dello Joio

    I love that you begin your meditation offerings with the heart, Chris, and are able to hold the whole of what is there. I appreciate that you acknowledge the challenges to the heart, along with the offerings I particularly love that link to Thich Nhat Hanh’s walking meditation. He has been such an inspiration in my life for many years now. Great list of benefits too!

  • http://www.thereflectivewriter.com/blog/ Judy Stone-Goldman

    I have done walking meditation and some informal meditations. I know that bringing more meditation into my life would help me. I read the list of benefits and go “yes, yes, yes” through the whole list–definitely would want that! For me, extending the concept to mindfulness throughout my day has been the most useful. As you say – mindful eating (for example) is one way to bring that state to a daily activity. I am also focusing on monotasking as an extension because I am less scattered and more productive.

    Judy Stone-Goldman
    The Reflective Writer
    http://www.thereflectivewriter.com/blog/
    Personal-Professional Balance Through Writing

  • Donnam

    Thank you, Chris, for those few moments of deep relaxation and the subsequent realization that this is something pleasant and helpful that I can do anywhere, anytime, especially when I am feeling overwhelmed with life or feeling sad or even feeling joy. I would not have said that I practice meditation, but from what you are describing, I guess I actually do every morning when I take time to simply be alone and pray about whatever is on my heart. I like the process you show here of focusing more on my heart center and connecting to the physical as well as the mental and spiritual. Thank you again for sharing!

  • http://www.fierceover50.com Julie Labes

    I have always had trouble meditating..never seem to be able to ‘switch off” these simple tips are easy to follow. I plan to try this daily. Thanks for the lesson

    Julie Labes: The Fun-Loving, Feisty, Fearless, Frisky, Fierce Over 50 Traveler

  • http://PatZahn.com Pat Zahn

    This reminds me of heart math practice – though I never kept up with that. They call it heart breathing, I think. There was no way I could listen to you and not start to slow my breathing and take deeper breaths. Do you think that once upon a time ago people just naturally meditated? It certainly seems like a natural process that we have moved away from.

  • http://www.thereconnectivehighway.com Julieanne Case

    Thanks for this lesson, Chris. I’d not heard of this method. I’m going to try it out tomorrow morning.  I have used a method of just focusing in the heart center but not using the hands placement.  

    Julieanne CaseAlways from the heart!Blog: http://www.julieannecasefromtheheart.comReconnecting you to your essence, joy, vitality, youth.| Healing you from the Inside Out |Reconnective Healing | AgeLoc Skin Care |  Pharmanex Supplementswww.thereconnectivehighway.com

  • http://www.AimfortheStarsTutoring.com MeredithJacob

    I love the videos you include in your posts.  Just watching this video on meditation, relaxed and calmed me.  Wonderful explanation of how to practice this method.  Thank you for sharing.

  • Susan Berland

    I’ve been participating in a Facebook group where we commit
    to each other to meditate each day. I need the accountability or I won’t do it!
    I love this practice. It is so calming. Thank you for teaching it and so
    generously giving of your heart.

    Susan Berland
    A Picture’s Worth
    http://www.susan-berland.com

  • http://www.tanyaboggsphotography.com Tanya Boggs

    I’ve always struggled with the idea that I’m not “doing it right” so I like the idea of just sitting and being.  You are a fantastic teacher and your blogs and videos are a fantastic tools for others.  Thanks.

    Tanya
    http://www.blog.TanyaBoggsPhotography.com

  • http://brendamjones.com Brenda Jones

    I need to come back and watch this when Phineas and Ferb isn’t blaring in the background.  My mind doesn’t like slowing down and I’m too amped up from Zumba.  I love that you are guiding us through this meditation because, as I’ve said before, this is something that I haven’t been able to do but want to learn.  Right now, I get a little bit in the deep breaths at the end of Zumba every day, but want to expand.

  • http://fearfully-n-wonderfullymade.com/blog Rachel Lavern

    Thanks for this lesson Chris.  It seems that so many people have shut down their heart centers.  Do you also teach the heart opening poses, or just the breathe work?  I recently read that we connect with God when we express heart energy–it is thousands of times more powerful than our brain’s electromagnetic field.

  • Anonymous

    Really appreciate that you are showing us how to do this….making us comfortabel with not concentrating on doing it right…which I always feel.  Its nice to know that you don’t have to do it for 30 minutes to make a difference, but 5,3,1….or even a breathe!  I can do that…..which makes me happy and feel successful!  Thanks for that:)  I am trying and doing….so I am giving myself a chance….which would not have happened without you!  mwahhhh:)

  • http://louiseedington.com Louise Edington

    I have actually started meditation with all this encouragement and am already starting to feel the benefits. I am going to do this meditation tomorrow. I actually can’t believe I’m doing it  – I sit in my chair in my Chic Cocoon which was inspired by Jen Duchene. All you women are so good for me!
    Louise Edington
    Breaking Through Online Frontiers
    http;//louiseedington.com

  • http://www.lauriehurleyonline.com Laurie Hurley

    Ok, you are not going to believe this, but I meditate standing up on my T-Zone Vibration workout machine. A little known secret I have. You can do all sorts of things on the T-Zone (related to exercise) but I stand there, close my eyes, clear my mind, breathe and shake. Not only is it a great workout (you have to be really strong in your core) but I find it very peaceful. Might do a vlog about it. Love your tips, too!

  • http://brandymychals.com Brandy Mychals

    Great video, Chris. I like your comments about the wealth of experience and feelings in our heart…I’m laughing at Laurie’s comment below – I would like to see the “shaking” meditation. And, I want a Chic Cocoon chair like Louise. It reminds me that I use to have a more “formal” meditation practice a while back when I lived in a different house and part of it was all about the “special chair”…LOL! As I’ve said, it’s “meditative baths” for now ;-) Brandy

  • http://beachbodycoach.com/kirkzacharda Kirk Zacharda

    Its so nice you poor your experience out to the world in a calm peaceful presence.  I can only relate to the heart being the inner being and I never use guided meditation though I used to. Im glad you are willing to share this with others its great for those who are just stepping into this space.  

  • http://MagnoliaJazz.com/blog Robbie Schlosser

    Hi Chris,
    Thanks for all this information!  Although I make a living playing music and appealing to people’s feelings, it’s facts, data, and opinions that are the stuff I process most easily.  Your wonderful video certainly gives me a feast of food for thought.  A banquet that I’m looking forward to relishing slowly and carefully, to taste the larger picture from the details.
    Robbie