The Benefits of Meditation

The Benefits of Meditation
Regular meditation calms down the restlessness of the mind, and decreases the number of distracting thoughts, bringing a sense of inner peace and relaxation. As the sense of inner peace increases, the ability to concentrate and focus the mind improves.
With a peaceful mind one makes less mistakes, makes better judgments and decisions and becomes more patient and tolerant. This of course improves one's relationships with family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.
The benefits of meditation do not end here. Regular practice enhances the sense of happiness and contentment. As the mind becomes more and more peaceful, the number of worries, anxieties, fears and negative thoughts decreases, and in their absence, happiness rises unobstructed from within.
Much of the stress and tension we normally experience comes from our mind, and many problems, including ill health, are brought about or aggravated by stress and tension. This stress and tension can be reduced by regular meditation. When the mind is at peace, many problems just disappear, and others are more easily dealt with.
An undisciplined mind accepts every passing thought, and wastes one's time and energy on futile, useless or negative thoughts. It also often aggravates every problem and takes it out of proportion. With a disciplined and trained mind, this tendency gradually gets weaker, and may even disappear.
In time, one can see changes in the behavior and attitude and manner of thinking. The mind becomes more positive and one learns to react more constructively, patiently and calmly to the various situations of daily life, from dealing with people to dealing with problems, tasks or goals. One's actions become positive and efficient, focused and more satisfactory.
The benefits of meditation manifest on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. Some of them appear quite fast, and others take some more time. This depends on the amount of time devoted to practicing it, the levels of earnestness and concentration, and on the inner ripeness of the meditating person. It is not enough to meditate once a week or once in a few days. Regular daily practice is required for attaining results.
There is evidence of the many rewards of regular meditation from people who meditate, and also from researches of scientists. Here are some of them:

Physical Benefits of Meditation
A deeper level of relaxation.
Deep rest accompanied by decreased metabolic rate and lower heart rate.
Decreased high blood pressure.
Improved flow of air to the lungs.
Increased levels of energy.
Decreased muscle tension.
More easily falling asleep and sleeping soundly.
Improved state of the immune system.

Mental and Emotional Benefits of Meditation
Decrease in restless thinking.
Increased ability to stay calm in every situation.
Greater creativity.
Decreased anxiety.
Decreased tendency to worry.
Decreased depression.
Decreased nervousness, irritability and moodiness.
Enhancement of self-confidence.
Improved concentration.
Increased self-discipline.
Improved learning ability and memory.
Increased feelings of vitality.
Enhanced feelings of happiness.
More emotional stability.
Developed intuition.

Spiritual Benefits of Meditation

Peace of mind.
Emotional and mental detachment.
Heightened awareness of the inner self.
The ability to look within, beyond the body, mind and personality.
Discovery of the power and consciousness beyond the ego.
Discovery of one's true being.
Attaining self-realization and spiritual awakening.