Meditation is a mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the conditioned, thinking mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness – quieting the busy mind. The intention is not to remove stimulation but rather to direct your concentration inward.
For over 5,000 years meditation has been recognized as a component of almost all spiritual teachings and as a means to alleviate suffering and promote healing. Different meditative disciplines may emphasize different goals – from achievement of a higher state of consciousness, to greater focus, creativity or self-awareness, or simply a more relaxed and peaceful frame of mind.
Often meditation focuses on one healing element – one sound, one word, one image, or one’s breath. When the mind is “filled” with the feeling of calm and peace, it cannot take off on its own and worry, stress out, or get depressed.
Many people who practice meditation do so to reduce stress, anxiety, anger and other negative emotions. However it’s more complete component is the heal – both body and mind – and to promote a greater awareness of oneself and one’s environment. Increasingly, modern physicians prescribe meditation as part of the treatment for a large and growing number of medical conditions.
My introduction to meditation came, like many, when I entered into Martial Arts training -17 years of active Bushido, in this case – including 3 years as an Instructor and member of Team Canada (Kendo). I continued training three months into two pregnancies! Every training session began with a meditation – to prepare the body and mind for instruction, physical exertion, the “closeness” of the Bogu (armour) and inevitably, battle. Each session ended with a meditation – to calm the body and mind, heal the body and return it to a state of renewed focus.
At 37, a recurring knee injury (dislocated knee-cap acquired at the age of 16 and reoccurred twice) forced me to stop competing in Kendo. I continued to meditate for both the healing benefits to my body and pain management, as well as the benefits to my concentration and awareness in daily life.
I began teaching meditation to family and friends for the same reasons – and the obvious benefits of combating stress. I was soon approached by various holistic practitioners to lead workshops on the healing aspects of meditation. I continue to teach – and learn – privately and in small group sessions.
For workshop information, click here
