Why You Should Meditate

"And all the voices, all the goals, all the yearnings, all the sorrows, all the pleasures, all the good and evil, all of them together was the world. All of them together was the stream of events, the music of life.”

- Herman Hesse, Siddhartha

When I was 16 years old, all of my friends were taking honors English in school. I was not, but I found their book list and decided to also read all of the books they were reading in that class (for fun). That's kind of the person that I am; always learning, always wanting to know more. Always seeking divine wisdom. That's when I read Siddhartha by Herman Hesse for the first time. I remember reading it and immediately connecting with the feelings he expresses in this story. It impacted me on an emotional level, and I found myself getting emotional upon reading it. It was almost like listening to the words of the soul, the inner self. This is when I first became interested in meditation. Now, it is something I try to do more of in my life, because I believe that even beyond the spiritual and divine implications, meditation is good for the soul.

Meditation has been known for centuries as a practice beneficial to health, as well as a religious practice in many cultures. As such, people from all different walks of life can use meditation as a healing technique to better their own lives, and the great part about it is you can start anytime, and do it in any way you want to! There are no limits to how you meditate or what your personal goals are. Here are some of the benefits you could get if you started practicing daily meditation:

1. Physical Health Benefits:

Meditation can have a healing effect on the body. In cases with high blood pressure, meditation can help lower blood pressure and ease anxiety. Because there are many breathing techniques associated with meditation, it can also be helpful for people who have asthma or are dealing with lung and breathing problems. In addition, depending on what kind of meditation you choose to practice, it can aid in helping with posture and back problems.

2. Psychological Benefits:

In addition to the physical benefits that meditation can have on the body, it also has many psychological benefits. Those suffering from anxiety, depression, or mental health disorders can benefit greatly from meditation because it relieves stress. Meditation can also help those that suffer from conditions such as insomnia and is sometimes used as an alternative when medicine does not seem to be helping those with insomnia.

3. Introspection:

Meditation has been known to be used for religious purposes, but anyone can practice meditation if they wish. You do not need to be religious in order to meditate. This practice helps the mind to focus deeply inside oneself instead of all of the distractions surrounding you. When you are in a deep meditative state, you are able to focus on one thing instead of every other little thought that is coming into your mind. You can clear your mind an feel a sense of calm an peace rising within you. This can take some practice to achieve, but once you have gotten the hang of it, it really works.

4. Conflict-Resolution:

Meditation can also be helpful with anger management or situations of conflict. Instead of lashing out at someone and getting into an argument, taking the time to meditate and think before you act will help you avoid unnecessary fights and help you to manage and cope with your emotions in a healthier way. When communication isn't helpful or working in your relationship, consider using meditation as a technique for you to get through difficult conversations with your partner, friend, or spouse.

5. Finding Inner Peace:

One of the best things about meditation is that it will make you feel peaceful and calm. It is a very soothing practice, and if you have been especially stressed lately, meditation will help you calm your mind and put you in a better place. If you struggle with anxiety issues or are prone to panic attacks, meditation is the perfect way to calm your inner turmoil and give yourself some rest. We all need a little peace and quiet every once in a while, and meditation is one of the best ways to do this. Sometimes, all you need is to have a few moments to yourself, whether that be in nature or in the comfort of your own home, for just a few minutes a day. Everyone deserves a break every once in a while, and meditation is a great way to take a nice, relaxing break from the conventions of the world around you.

As you can see, meditation is a powerful tool that can be used to benefit your physical, mental, and emotional needs. If there is something in your life that you cannot figure out the solution to, such as a problem in your life, meditation can help you think about a solution to that problem without any distraction.

So, whether you are always stressed, have high blood pressure, or are looking into become more spiritually awakened, meditation can be a positive and calming thing in your life. Sometimes we just have to make it through the day, and meditation is a good way to help you relax and breathe, especially on your most stressful days. The great part about it is you don't have to commit to too much time, either. Just five or ten minutes a day can make a great difference in your life. There are useful meditation apps of all kinds that can help train you to meditate and figure out what your ultimate goal with meditation is. Everyone's path in meditation will be different, because of how personal of an experience it is. How you begin the journey is up to you, so think about what you would like to do with this useful practice and get to it; like the Universe, the possibilities are endless.