Thread: Meditation or relaxation

Is there any truth to all the eastern meditation hype? Facts please. Does it actually do anything for the body or is it the equivalent of Roman Catholic, Islamic, and Jewish synagogue prayer? Could it be a placebo?

What is the hype?

Stress and Rest have both effects on the body, Meditation can be seen as a type of rest, so I guess it should be at least as helpful as taking a moment to rest and relax.

Originally Posted by icewendigo

What is the hype? Stress and Rest have both effects on the body, Meditation can be seen as a type of rest, so I guess it should be at least as helpful as taking a moment to rest and relax.

I've heard claims of meditation increasing strength, raising iq, lowering cholesterol, curing cancer, causing chemical reactions at will... Etc. I'm sure the majority of it is speculation but what isn't?

Research has shown that the practice of meditation has positive outcomes on human health and mental performance.
(cf. Meditation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

There is plenty of research showing the benefits of meditation . Take your pic out of that lot. It doesn't need to be fancy - 10 mins a day staring at a stationary object is good.

I don't know about curing cancer etc I am always sceptical of instant cures for everything. I guess you could say it might be beneficial in reducing the stress felt at being ill but I don't know about anything else.

Relaxing and reducing stress is never bad for your health.

Reduces stress and high blood pressure:[/B] Medical school research funded by the National Institutes of Health shows that the Transcendental Meditation technique is the most effective mind-body practice for reducing stress and stress-related disorders, including hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke and atherosclerosis.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...UGcMA5xmSC_zzw

Also....

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...Ypf4ehFfcDDZsA

It is probably best to regard meditation as another form of relaxation. It works to reduce stress, and that has many flow on effects for good health.

However, there are many other ways of reducing stress. I suspect that meditation is probably less effective than simply walking in a place where you feel relaxed. A park. By a river. On the beach. Whatever works best for you.

Originally Posted by Dreamraider

Originally Posted by icewendigo

What is the hype? Stress and Rest have both effects on the body, Meditation can be seen as a type of rest, so I guess it should be at least as helpful as taking a moment to rest and relax.

I've heard claims of meditation increasing strength, raising iq, lowering cholesterol, curing cancer, causing chemical reactions at will... Etc. I'm sure the majority of it is speculation but what isn't?

IQ raising would be temporary, similar to that of the Mozart effect. Chemical reactions, it may cause them, but that would mean that any form of bodily stagnation also can have similar effects. It may lower cholesterol by lowering stress, which lowers blood pressure and can assist with weight loss. It can't increase strength, in fact, the immediate effect would probably be a reduction in physical capacity. Ever lift weights? Notice how the weights get lighter as you lift? Meditation would decrease blood flow, not cause any energy "THC I think?" to be released, and would render muscles weaker in the immediate use. As to cancer... perhaps it offers some mild physiological effects, asides from that... I'm sticking with chemotherapy.

Meditation in yoga is a very important lesson， you canrelax and relievestress.

Long brisk walks on the beach work for me, as does letting my emotions out. Meditation, I have not done, though maybe singing is my form of meditation as it for some reason as it is a release for me of everything and anything pent up. I just have to pick the right song!

Originally Posted by Dreamraider

Is there any truth to all the eastern meditation hype? Facts please. Does it actually do anything for the body or is it the equivalent of Roman Catholic, Islamic, and Jewish synagogue prayer? Could it be a placebo?

Meditation is essentially being concious, and blocking out all sensory input, so you can think better.

I don't meditate. But, when I am focused on something, like music or work in a show...on stage, I hear nothing but the sound of my other actors, or the music I am to sing.

Alone....I never shut out sounds....to me they are what makes life interesting....doesn't make me unpeaceful...the sounds of children playing on the beach or laughing in a restaurant or a family greeting each other or a celebration of life and the sounds that go with it are my form of meditation. I think when people want to be quiet they are quiet in their own way.

I have many friends who meditate. Each to their own form.

Originally Posted by Dreamraider

Is there any truth to all the eastern meditation hype? Facts please. Does it actually do anything for the body or is it the equivalent of Roman Catholic, Islamic, and Jewish synagogue prayer? Could it be a placebo?

Can anybody define meditation? A slowing down of mental activity, perhaps? It is not possible to throw the mind a blank and even the professionals acknowledge that.
Out of curiosity I've attended meditation classes in Thailand and the UK. In Thailand people were being told to drink gallons of salty water by some freaky looking guy and then 'meditate'. In the UK I was told to count my breaths and then think of people I liked and then people I didn't like, by a lady whose class was mainly composed of middle aged hippy types.
I don't think that the average westerner brought up in monotheism should expect results from eastern mysticism. They will be disappointed.
Monotheistic prayer is not equivalent to anything else. It is purely a form of submission to what they believe (falsely) is God.

When I got cancer I did not go down on my knees and pray, or light a candle, 'meditate' and wave joss sticks. Instead I put all my faith in the oncologists, and that was 6 years ago.

Instead of all the trash about what is generically good for you and what ain't, just listen to your body. For me I love outdoor activity - hiking, biking, climbing and certain sports. That's where my genes are switched on and that is my submission.

compliments of dictionary.com:
med·i·ta·tion

[med-i-tey-shuhn] Show IPA
noun1.the act of meditating.

2.continued or extended thought; reflection; contemplation.

3.transcendental meditation.

4.devout religious contemplation or spiritual introspection.