Meditation: The Secret Key to the Heart and Soul

We are proud to offer this guest post by Isabella Koepf (check out her bio below)

These days, it often seems like our world is faced with constant difficulty and disaster, and it can feel easy to lose hope and faith in the world. But as the psychologist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl famously said, man’s search for meaning and the quest of finding purpose in life is what truly keeps us alive. Without this deeper connection, it can often seem like we are aimlessly floating in the ocean of existence. But by realizing our universal oneness with this great and beautiful ocean of life, we can unite with ourselves and others on a deeper level, thereby allowing our true purpose and self to shine forward.

 

Meditation is one such practice that immensely helps in furthering us on this profound inner journey. Through regular meditation practice, you can delve deeper into the various layers of your inner being until you reach the essence of your soul. In modern times, meditation is often used as a tool for stress relief or to improve concentration, but the practice of meditation is actually so much more than that. Meditation has its origins in spiritual practice, and nearly every religion has it in some form. To begin harnessing the power of meditation and spirituality in your own life, see below for some essential tips, knowledge, and guidance on how to get started!

 

What is Meditation?

Meditation is any practice that involves focusing the mind on a single point for an extended period of time. By focusing the mind on a singular point, you can calm the various ripples, habitual thought patterns, and worries of the mind, allowing a deep sense of silence to permeate to the surface of your being.

In history, nearly every religion incorporates meditation in some form or the other. Mindfulness meditation has recently become extremely popular as a tool for stress reduction, and it seems that nearly every office, business, or gym has classes on this topic. But mindfulness meditation actually originated from the traditional Buddhist meditation practice known as Vipassana that is believed to have been created by the Buddha thousands of years ago.

 

Meditation and Spirituality

Meditation, in itself, is a spiritual practice. Contrary to popular belief, meditation is not just sitting silently and counting the breath; it is an experiential practice that connects you with the core of your soul and the experience of universal oneness. The ultimate goal of meditation practice in Buddhism and Hinduism is to experience this oneness, also known as nirvana, moksha, or samadhi. It is believed that through regular meditation practice, you can experience a union between the individual soul and the universal soul, connecting you with your higher power and allowing your true essence to shine forward.

The Benefits of Meditation

Research has shown that regular meditation practice has profound benefits for the body, mind, and soul. See below for some of the key benefits of meditation practice.

 

The Physical Benefits:

• Improves cardiovascular health
• Enhances the immune system
• Reduces symptoms of cognitive disorders
• Increases the lifespan

The Mental Benefits:

• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Relieves symptoms of depression
• Improves relationships with others
• Increases focus and concentration

The Spiritual Benefits:

• Increases empathy and compassion
• Enhances connection with a higher power
• Provides an experience of universal oneness and connection

 

Plus, so many more! Scientists and practitioners are continually uncovering new benefits to this practice. The beauty of meditation is that nearly every person can practice it, and it does not have any adverse side effects. But it is important to understand that meditation is not a quick fix pill, and it takes a constant concerted effort for many of these benefits to arise.

5 Simple Steps to Start Practicing Meditation

If you are interested in incorporating meditation into your life, it is important to experiment with various meditation styles and find what works best for you! Not all meditation practices involve silent sitting, and if you prefer movement or noise, you can try walking meditation, dancing meditation, or mantra chanting meditation. There is truly an endless list of meditation practices to explore. But a good place to start for nearly everyone is with a basic breath awareness mindfulness meditation practice. To begin practicing this style of meditation, just follow the 5 simple steps below to get started!

1. Find a quiet place to sit or lay down, get into a comfortable position, rest your hands on your knees or by your sides, and gently close your eyes.
2. Begin to take a few deep breaths in and out through your nose and then allow your breath to flow at a natural rhythm.
3. Concentrate on your breath and try to focus on the sensations of your breath as it moves through your nose. You can develop an awareness over time of the quality, temperature, and feeling of your breath. Try to focus your mind completely on your upper lip or the outside of your nostrils.
4. Continue to focus on your breath for as long as you want. You can begin with a 5-minute practice and then gradually extend the time period as you get more experienced.
5. When you are ready to complete the meditation, simply let go of your breath awareness and gently open your eyes.

 

 

Try to begin practicing for at least 5-minutes every day and then slowly increase to more extended periods of time. If you do not have the time to practice, even just 1 minute is also enough. A famous Zen proverb says, “if you do not have time to meditate for an hour every day, then you should meditate for two hours.” Generally, the people who don’t have the time are the ones who need this practice the most!

 

Summary

Meditation is a profound practice that is accessible for all people, regardless of age or ability. By incorporating meditation into your life, you can not only gain numerous benefits to the body and mind, but you can also enhance your spiritual practice and deepen your connection with a higher power. With all of the struggles and difficulties occurring in the modern world, meditation has the potential to transform both your inner being and the world at large. So, try practicing meditation in your own life and begin your path down this profound journey today!

 

Isabella Koepf is a yoga teacher and health coach with a B.Sc. in psychology, biology, and religious studies. She currently runs a health and wellness consulting and counseling business called Surya Bella. She also manages the yoga retreat center Shiva Priya Yoga Ashram, located in Rishikesh, India.

 

Links:

https://suryabella.com

https://shivapriyayoga.org