In the last few weeks, this life has gotten really serious with a viral pandemic, economic turmoil and social chaos. A great strategy for dealing is to remain centered and maintain inner strength. An important aspect of keeping a sense of poise and grace under fire is to not allow thoughts, which are always colored by a non-existent past and in an imaginary future, to take over our experience of the present.
That’s what a meditation practice is all about. The benefits of meditation are not only mental. The ancient practice is also important for the immune system. Meditation turns on antibodies and activates regions in the brain that are associated with the immune response. According to research from Harvard Medical School, meditators experience positive changes in gene expression related to stress, inflammation, wound healing and overall immunity, with especially beneficial shifts in genetic markers related to antiviral activity. They also enjoy increases in telomere enzymes, demonstrating improved cellular aging, as well as a reduction in the levels of amyloid proteins, a predominant marker associated with Alzheimer’s dementia.
The best way to begin a meditation practice is to just begin. Start off with sixty seconds first thing in the morning and add a minute or so every week. As with any exercise, the key is in the consistency. At the end of a month you’ll be up to four or five minutes and at the end of a mere six months you’ll be up to thirty minutes a day. You’ll be able to say that you are an experienced meditator and enjoy all the benefits associated with that.
