From the Mayo Clinic

Today after class, Myra Seymour handed me an article from the Mayo Clinic Health Letter on the benefits of meditation. I'm simply amazed - but not really surprised - at just how many articles of this nature have come to my attention. I know I've said it before but I'll say it once more: meditation really works. There is a measurable, well-documented benefit to having a regular meditative practice.

Here's an excerpt from the article:

Changes in actual brain wave activity during meditation can be shown using electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring. EEG measurements of brain wave activity reflect the various states of consciousness. When it comes to meditation, the deeper the meditative state, the lower the EEG frequency.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine - part of the National Institutes of Health - regular mediation can improve longevity and quality of life. It can also reduce:
* High blood pressure
* Anxiety
* Substance abuse
* a hormone (cortisol) in the blood that increases with stress
* Post-traumatic stress syndrome
* Visits to a health care provider
...
Some forms of meditation are easier to learn than others. Among the various forms, "mindfulness meditation" is growing in use in the health care field. Being mindful means you're able to pay attention to your experience from one moment to the next without being carried away by other thoughts or concerns.