Meditation means different things to different people, such as sitting quietly with eyes closed, listening to nature sounds or soft music, sitting on the floor or on a chair with spine straight and chanting either mentally or out loud, focusing on a specific word, image, or the breath, or simply praying silently. The objective of meditation also differs from one person to the next: easing anxiety, for example, achieving better physical health, or growing closer to God.
No matter what technique we use or goal we strive for, meditation has been proven for centuries to have holistic (body, mind, and soul) health benefits. Some of these include decreased blood pressure, fewer panic attacks, increased ability to stay focused and centered throughout the day, and greater peace of mind. Meditation can also be an effective tool in substance abuse and mental health recovery.
If anyone is interested in learning more about meditation and practicing a short guided meditation, please plan to attend a workshop at the Clubhouse on Thursday, May 12th, at 10:30am.
