April 18, 2023

Meditation? Facts versus fiction

WHAT IT IS NOT

Meditation is not about trying to control your mind or stop thought. This is impossible.
 

WHAT MEDITATION IS:

Meditation is the process of learning to be focused and present while watching your mind’s thoughts.
 

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

Let’s give you an example: many times your mind is constantly thinking and you are identified with thoughts. When this happens, you will react and act on them. Therefore, creating a life with less control over yourself. An undisciplined mind creates mental suffering which can lead to bad habits, health issues, and lower quality of life.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), the scientific name for a meditation program to help people suffering from chronic conditions, was developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical School by Jon Kabot Zinn in order to address the self-induced suffering many chronically health challenged patients develop. Contact our Mansfield chiropractor today for more information.

 

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HOW DO YOU MEDITATE THEN?

● Find a quiet & comfortable place where you can sit.

● Get into a posture that will keep you alert yet relax

● Set a timer (a good starting point for beginners is 5 minutes)

● Focus on the most obvious feeling of breathing in your body

● Close your eyes and focus on the breath moving in and out.

● When you become aware of a thought taking your attention then, without judgement return to focusing on the breath

● Continue this process for all the allotted time

● Repeat daily; consistency is greater than daily duration.