We are constantly being bombarded with stress from work or family pressures, environmental conditions, poor diet and lifestyle choices and a variety of other factors. We need to realize that releasing stress is essential for a healthy life.

Today doctors are increasingly citing stress as a major factor in such illnesses as insomnia, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, cardiac pain, asthma, and arthritis. As the nervous system becomes overloaded, stress is metabolized as toxins, blocking the normal flow of energy. Over time, once fit emotional and physical states may deteriorate to illness and disease.

Healthy diet and exercise help to deter some of the physical and psychological consequences of stress. But how do we calm and quiet the mind? Is it possible to calm down the to-do lists, conjectures, debate teams, and worriers that seem to inhabit our minds? Could our minds evolve to mostly peaceful, useful thinking and quiet down the unsought chatter?

Stilling the chatter is the very practical process of quieting the mind through meditation. The process is basically physiological and takes advantage of the natural silence that exists in the mind and body when we are relaxed. Quieting the mind results in a healthier nervous system, making it more capable of metabolizing the stresses of everyday life.

Meditation takes us from activity into silence, giving our body a very deep level of rest. Rest is how the body heals itself. It does this by throwing off the stress, fatigue, and toxins accumulated during our life.

Though meditation is not a cure in itself, research has shown that it contributes to reducing stress and achieving deep relaxation and a profound state of rest. The mind-body connection demonstrates that a settled mind reflects a less-stressed body. Meditation has been recognized as more restful than sleep; while sleep reduces our metabolism ten percent, meditation reduces our metabolism by twenty percent or more. By reducing stress, meditation has important benefits for a wide range of health problems and allows the mind and body to function with maximum effectiveness. Documented research on the benefits of meditation using mantra techniques reveal optimization of brain function and EEG coherence, neurological efficiency, higher GPA’s and increased IQ scores. Other studies show improved memory, increased productivity and enhanced working and personal relationships. More than 500 scientific research studies statistically document the physical and psychological benefits of a consistent meditation practice.

Most of us spend our lives looking outside ourselves for answers. We buy books and tapes and go to seminars, looking for someone to tell us how to be happy, healthy, and more successful. Although helpful, these intellectual pursuits may actually increase the level of chatter in our minds.
When we are meditating, we turn our attention inward, away from all of the chaos and activity, and contact the silence inside. This is our soul and Spirit, the perfect being within waiting to restore us. Meditation serves a two-fold purpose; it gives us a direct experience of our Spirit and dissolves the impurities that are preventing the natural flow of healing energy.
So how do we still the chatter and quiet the mind? Have you ever tried to stop your thoughts, attempted to meditate by forcing the thoughts to go away? It’s impossible, and the harder we try, the more thoughts and noises keep crowding in. In fact, the only way to go beyond thought is by not trying, instead by letting go.

When we sit down, close our eyes and formalize our meditation practice, we use techniques or tools. These tools can be our breath or a mantra, something that brings us effortlessly back to the calm, whenever we realize we’ve drifted away to thoughts or noises in the environment. A mantra is a specific sound, which when used silently, serves as a vehicle to connect you with deeper aspects of your consciousness.

When we learn to meditate, we don’t have to wear any special clothes or change our diet, but we do need to find the time to do it. Many people will tell us that we have to meditate this way or that, we have to sit in a certain position or do it at a particular length of time. While all of these instructions may have value, it’s important to do the best you can and know that whatever you do is right.

Sitting comfortably with your eyes closed, without music or other distractions, for twenty to thirty minutes twice a day is a practice that will bring significant benefits. It’s important for you to accept that thoughts are part of the process, probably an indication of stress release and therefore positive. Boredom and restlessness are also signs of stress release and a good meditation. Be easy with your thoughts, gently shift your awareness back to the breath or mantra. Continue this back and forth process easily, effortlessly, and when the time is complete slowly transition to activity. Establishing a consistent, daily practice may require creative scheduling and discipline. Over time, you will find that the practice has easily integrated with your daily routines.

If you are going to pursue the full spiritual benefits of meditation, you will want to seek out a qualified teacher and a tradition you respect.
The best meditation, like the best diet or exercise program, is ultimately the one that works best for you. Meditation is our path to a stiller, chatter-free intuitive mind, and a lighter heart. Meditation is our path away from seriousness and inflexibility; we should not be concerned with a rigid attachment to rules. But we do have to do it.

Barbara Kumara, certified Chopra Center Educator, teaches Primordial Sound Meditation, a mantra-based practice that systematically allows you to experience quieter, more peaceful levels of your mind. Barbara teaches in the Atlanta area and can be contacted at Barbara@spiritofmeditation.net or 404-233-5667.

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