In part one of this three-part essay, I discussed my period of \u201cspiritual thirst\u201d and its symptoms of low energy, lack of focus, and jumbled thoughts. Have you ever felt that way yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having forgotten the daily \u201cpush\/pull\u201d dynamic between the spiritual and the material, I had neglected my spiritual side in favor of irrational ideas about \u201cgetting things done.\u201d The negative effects multiplied until I prayed and listened to my inner spirit \u2014 which immediately diagnosed the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, in my hyper-productive \u201crunaround-rush around- speed around\u201d mode, I had not been meditating either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RELATED: Meditation: The Key to Insight and Self-Knowledge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In Baha\u2019i life, meditation forms the second key factor in the spiritual nourishment process. The human meditative faculty, which is an innate ability in all of us, provides the mechanism through which our material mind and body link to our soul \u2014 our spiritual reality. For this reason, it would be difficult to overstate its importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a speech he gave in Paris, Abdu\u2019l-Baha<\/a>, the son and successor of the prophet founder of the faith, Baha\u2019u\u2019llah<\/a>, said<\/a>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n You cannot apply the name \u2018man\u2019 to any being void of this faculty of meditation; without it he would be a mere animal, lower than the beasts.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Through the faculty of meditation man attains to eternal life; through it he receives the<\/strong> breath of the Holy Spirit \u2014 the bestowal of the Spirit is given in reflection and meditation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n I must confess that the first time I read this quote, I was quite taken aback. To me, it seemed like an exaggeration or overstatement of some kind. I am not even human without meditation? Really?<\/p>\n\n\n\n But hold on \u2014 I was wrong. Information from various branches of science during the past 50 years seems to support this viewpoint. Oh, and by the way, the unity of science and religion is a key Baha\u2019i principle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where to begin? Let\u2019s start with an article by Matt J. Rossano in the 2007 Cambridge Archaeological Journal entitled \u201cDid Meditating Make Us Human?\u201d <\/em>In the article, Rossano argues that the \u201ccampfire rituals of focused attention\u201d of early humans increased their brain\u2019s working memory capacity and attention spans, ultimately allowing them to develop symbolic communication and complex problem-solving. Now, that is taking the history of meditation about as far back as it can go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recent studies in neurobiology confirm Rossano\u2019s premise that meditating enhances the function and structure of the brain. Thousands of studies over the past 50 years have shown significant and measurable improvements in attention regulation, self-awareness, emotion regulation, and overall self- regulation in those who meditate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the field of medicine, the benefits of regular meditation include but are not limited to improving sleep, reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease and other illnesses, improving the immune system, decreasing cognitive decline from aging, reducing chronic pain, lengthening the life-span \u2026 I\u2019ll stop here. The list is virtually endless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In psychology, mindfulness meditation has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, chronic pain, and the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. It is a useful adjunct to treatment for any mental health issue that includes problems with mood, self-awareness, emotional control, or self-regulation, including recovery from addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The health and wellness field uses mindfulness meditation for stress reduction, problems with sleep, anxiety, and mood. It also serves as a treatment for anger issues and increases one\u2019s capacity for kindness, empathy, and compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The evidence for the efficacy of meditation is now so solid and widespread, it has become commercialized. A simple Google search reveals more than 2500 meditation apps now available, with over 2O percent of US consumers reportedly using one during the third quarter of 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even automobile manufacturers have now become concerned with \u201cHWW\u201d in car design \u2014 \u201chealth, wellness, and well-being.\u201d At least one car maker is creating interiors to be compatible with meditating and includes a one-year free subscription to a meditation app with the purchase of one of their cars! <\/p>\n\n\n\n RELATED: How Meditation Can Help Drive Scientific Discovery<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nTo Be Human Is to Meditate<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Science of Meditation: Changing the Brain<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Commercializing Meditation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n