BENEFITS OF YOGA & MEDITATION
 
Today’s world is full of mental stress and tension. People are constantly rushing around, never finding enough time to accomplish all the things they have planned. The speed and activity of the modern world is something quite amazing.  An incorrect focus may be harming our sensitive mind and nervous system.  To effectively combat the stress and tension caused by living in this increasingly demanding environment, it is necessary for people to gain a deeper understanding and control over the human mind.  Meditation is the process by which we can control the restless flow of our minds. It is often thought to mean to sit quietly reflecting, analysing or just thinking about a particular argument, verse or prayer, but neither of these fits the true yogic meaning of meditation.

In the yogic terminology, meditation is called “dhyana”, meaning “flow of mind.” It is a pure state when one’s mind is flowing smoothly towards the thought of Cosmic Consciousness.  It is a method of calming the mind and making the individual more aware of his or her inner nature. It gives a person a secure relationship with himself or herself, which provides a solid foundation for dealing with anything in life, problems or whatever. It gives a person an inner peace, which is a most precious commodity in this hectic age. Most importantly, meditation is a path to spiritual realization.  

Scientific experiments have shown that the response of the human organism to meditation is just the opposite of its reaction to stress: it quiets the central nervous system, slows the heart rate, lowers the blood pressure by as much as 20%, and slows the breathing to less than half its normal rate.  There have been some studies, even in the workplace setting.  In one large western company people practised meditation techniques twice a day.  This revealed tremendous benefits - meditation influenced all aspects of their lives. After only five and a half months of meditation, they reported a decrease in depression, hostility and stress, less irritability, and the disappearance of psychosomatic disorders such as colds, headaches, and sleeplessness.  As a result, absenteeism was greatly reduced. The most frequently reported benefit was the ability to think clearly.  Those who practice deep meditation said they felt more alert, more sociable and empathetic, and enjoyed life more than before they learned meditation. 

One of the reasons for the increase in alertness and the ability to think clearly is that during meditation there is a 35% increase of blood flow to the brain. The blood supply to the brain is closely related to our mental abilities, and with the increase of blood, and the corresponding increase of oxygen, the brain’s overall functioning improves. One of the causes of senility that occurs in many older people is the decrease of blood flow to the brain.

The greatest benefit for many people who meditate regularly has been the increase in will force. Regular meditation trains the capacity to pay attention and ignore distraction. Experiments on students have shown that those who practice meditation techniques constantly excel in their examinations due to their increased  ability to concentrate and their total lack of “test anxiety”. 

Aside from the benefits mentioned above, here are some practical benefits one can experience by doing meditation. These are:
•	A true direction and purpose in life
•	Improved health and vitality
•	Stronger glands and inner organs
•	Balanced, peaceful emotions
•	Increased memory and intellectual ability
•	Tolerance and understanding
•	Freedom from dogmas, superstitions and fear
•	Balanced and integrated personality

By the regular practice of meditation, we will become the masters of ourselves free from unnecessary illnesses, youthful feeling, relaxed, full of joyful energy, flowing in harmony with the universe. With wonderfully functioning minds, we will be prepared to perform tireless and fulfilling service in the world for the welfare of all humanity.