Inner Healing & Transformation
Inner Peace Development (Meditation)

"I know of no other single thing so conductive to misery as this uncultivated, untrained mind.
I know of no other single thing so conducive to well-being as this cultivated and well-trained mind."
The Buddha

Back to
Inner Healing Page. Back to Holistic Healing Page.


Table of Contents





List of Modalities/Techniques

  1. Insight Meditation (Vipassana)

Note: Other meditation styles will be added over time.




Introduction

Meditation is a mental practice in which the mind is directed to one area or one point of operation. There are many forms of meditation (Native American, Tibetan, Buddhist, Yogic, etc.) and the techniques used can vary considerably. While some people practice meditation in conjunction with spiritual practices, it is often practiced in Western countries because of its potential for profoundly positive effects on one's physical and psychological well-being.

Because 1) meditation techniques are relatively easy to learn and not some esoteric, New Age practice (requiring a "guru"), and 2) can provide significant positive benefits, it is very quickly growing in popularity in Western countries. Practitioners of meditation include the rich and poor, actors/actresses, athletes, business persons, scientists, physicians and other medical practitioners, etc.


Benefits

"Meditation helps to bring harmony and inner peace. It makes a person feel centered, grounded, and stable. Through meditation we can go into the center of awareness and stay there. It is like being back in the womb of the mother. Meditation not only brings balance to the body, mind, and consciousness, it helps to balance the three doshas [Ayurvedic Medicine term]. Meditation is the single greatest healing factor within the Ayurvedic system of medicine. We say 'Our medication is meditation.'" [Excerpt from Sounds True interview with Ayurvedic Medicine expert, Dr. Vasant Lad. Ayurvedic Medicine is one of the world's oldest systems of Holistic Medicine.]

Scientific research has shown that meditation practice, by itself is helpful in treating Epilepsy, Blood Pressure Disorders, Low Self-Esteem and Other Behavior/Psychologic Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Chronic Pain, and other physical and psychological diseases/disorders.

A selection of the general benefits include (but are not limited to):

For almost all chronic diseases (cancer, arthritis, lupus, FMS, CFS, heart disease, intestinal or digestive disease, allergies, etc.), meditation can be a very important part of a Holistic Healing program. While meditation practice can lead to improved physical and mental health and some positive effects are often noticed after a short time, more profound changes may take a longer period of time. Persons looking for sudden, magical changes may be disappointed.

For those practicing other powerful transformational techniques such as Integrated Awareness or Breathwork, meditation practice can often provide added benefit. Of course, meditation is not necessarily the best Inner Healing & Transformational technique for everyone to start with. Some people fare better with body-oriented or breath-directed techniques when starting out.



General Tips

It is preferable to start learning meditation by going to a class at a meditation center or in classes given at community or health centers. Regular class attendance can help your develop a regular practice. In addition, the teacher can answer many practical questions that you may have. If you do not have a class in your area, the Meditation Books and Tape Sets may prove very helpful.

Please peruse through the resources below, including the links to directories of meditation centers (for classes). Looking at the details of each of the each of the meditation techniques linked at the List of Techniques can provide additional information and resources.



Resources