Meditation
Effects and Benefits
America has discovered meditation. There are literally thousands of web sites and books on the subject, and hundreds of scientific and medical studies documenting the positive effects of meditation on the body and mind. When looking at these web sites, books, and research reports it is important to keep in mind that there are hundreds of meditative techniques from all over the world, only a few of which have are represented in the studies. The positive effects of some, like TM® (Transcendental Meditation®), have been more widely documented than others, but all forms of meditation when used properly contribute extraordinary benefits to the practitioner. For an introduction to scientific research into the beneficial effects of meditation see:
How Meditation Works at Holistic-Online.Com.
Healing Power of Meditation at Holistic-Online.com
In TIME Magazine, Vol. 162, NO.5, August 4, 2003:
Calming the Mind, a TIME Magazine graphic of the effects of meditation on brain activity.
Ancient Practice, a TIME Magazine graphic of the history of meditation throughout cultures and times.
Joel Stein, "Just Say Om: Scientists study it. Doctors recommend it, Millions of Americans—many of whom don't even own crystals—practice it every day. Why? Because meditation works."
David Van Biema, "Peace be With You: Ancient avenues to inner peace are reappearing in modern life."
What Science Knows about Meditation and the Transpersonal Self" at www.MeaningofLife.com
And for those with professional scientific interest:
James H. Austin, M.D., Zen and the Brain: Toward an Understanding of Meditation and Consciousness (Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 1998, 2001).
New Study: Meditation Benefits Patients with Heart Disease, a CNN Report of NIH funded study at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles. June 15, 2006.
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