I recently experienced meditation for the first time on a visit to Buddha Mind Monastery, 5800 S. Anderson Road, as part of a service-learning requirement.
I arrived at the monastery early in the morning, expecting to dislike it because Buddhism is different from my own tradition. Although I expected the worst, I ended the day with a new outlook on Buddhist culture and, most importantly, the benefits from participating in meditation.
Meditation reduced my stress. When I am overwhelmed with work, I often get agitated. We all get anxiety on some level. Meditation can ease the mind, calm the emotions and offer a sense of empowerment over the situation.
Meditation not only reduces my stress, it also improves my concentration. Every time I meditate I find myself more focused and centered in everything I do and less-easily distracted. I become more energized when I meditate. I find it helps to meditate before a huge test or multiple assignments because it increases my ability to focus and engages memory.
Meditating also increases my self-awareness and happiness. I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was young. As a result, I have a short fuse and become agitated at many things that should not cause such a reaction. Through meditation I am able to realize my own anger and become more detached from it. It clears my mind, calms me down and makes me more comfortable in my own skin. Increased self-awareness and acceptance contributes to happiness and overall well-being.
I have seen the most benefits from meditation in regard to my health. Meditation can help with immunity, according to eocinstitute.org. I have found that my perception of pain is reduced when I do certain mental training techniques found in meditation.
I suffer from chronic migraines due to health problems. Meditation has had a positive effect on diminishing the severity of my pain.
I encourage everyone to try meditation at least once and experience the world from a happier and healthier point of view.
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