aking the time to clear your head of thoughts leads to relaxation and can be beneficial to your mind, body and spirit

By Gwen Randall-Young Psychology for Living

Posted 50 minutes ago

I sometimes write about meditation, and find there is much confusion and uncertainty about what exactly it is. Some think it is weird.

Others think it is harmful. It has even been labeled as “new age,” and condemned as a threat to traditional religion. It is interesting how much can be projected on a very harmless, innocent practice.

Meditation means to think quietly, to engage in deep and serious thought. It can also mean to observe intently.

The act of meditation is quiet thought; reflection. It can even be contemplation on sacred or solemn subjects, especially as a devotional

exercise.

To a religious person, meditation can be sitting quietly and feeling the presence of God — an awareness that can be lost in the hustle and bustle of daily living.

To the non-spiritual person, meditation can be simply clearing the mind of all thoughts, giving the mind a much needed rest.

There is such an intimate connection between the mind and body, science has shown, that worry thoughts — thoughts of anger, resentment, fear or anxiety — can measurably alter the body chemistry in a negative way. The negative changes persist for six to eight hours after experiencing the troubling emotions.

Every time those thoughts come back, the negative changes are re-stimulated, and persist for another six to eight hours. It is easy to see how thoughts can have a profound effect on our health.

Meditation is to the mind what a brisk walk in fresh air is to the body.

To think of it as harmful or threatening in any way just adds one more negative thought to the stockpile.

On the other hand, taking time each day to stop all thoughts, just resting in calmness, feeling the love in your heart can create positive, healthful shifts in your body chemistry, which, if you resist adding negative emotions, remain for those same six to eight hours. Meditation is a path to a more peaceful, healthful life.

Gwen Randall-Young is an author and award-winning Psychotherapist. For permission to reprint this column, or to obtain books or CDs, visit www.gwen.ca.

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