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An integral exploration of the benefits of meditation

Dorathea Thompson

Abstract
Meditation can be defined as a systematic form of mind-training brought about through our
concentration on a predetermined object of focus. In this article, we will explore the comprehensive and
integral benefits derived from the practice of meditation.

The transformative powers of meditation anxiety and depressive mood disorders.
have been ascribed to by many ancient
cultures and traditions. Today, meditation In the discussion to follow, we will look
practices are immensely influential among at the numerous benefits of meditation
educational institutions, contemporary and their relationship to a psycho-spiritual
thinkers, medical professionals, poets and evolution. While this paper focuses mainly
psychologists. Currently, in the United on a structured meditation approach, we are
States, ‘mindfulness training’ a subset of quick to remember that this practice need not
awareness-related practices, is springing be confined strictly to the meditation cushion.
up in an eclectic range of arenas. It’s found Rather, as Sri Aurobindo reiterates: “All life is
in the corporate world, in mainstream Yoga.” Every action expressed through body,
allopathic medicine, in yoga aasana centres speech and mind can be used as a practice
and in business consulting firms. Likewise, in for radical spiritual migration. Taking up
large, established, more progressive corporate self-awareness as a discipline, being fully
companies like Google and LinkedIn, we see present in every moment, in every encounter,
entire programmes with dedicated staff is how one lives intentionally. Yet, structured
encouraging the role of mindfulness at the programmes can, for some, be a portal in
individual and interpersonal level. Highly- harnessing our energies towards an ascending
regarded hospitals are complementing their evolution trajectory. It provides a mechanism
treatment plans with meditation techniques to formulate a positive conditioned response
to relieve both pain and stress. Medical and that we can stabilise with a certain consistency
psychological professionals have likewise and mastery. Today, perhaps more than any
been prescribing these approaches for pain other time in history, we are confronted with
management, stress reduction and a host of endless distractions. Maintaining a mind that

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