Is meditation important?

June 14th, 2022

Summer showed up really quick this week! I hope everyone is finding ways to stay cool and hydrated, I mainly stay inside working and have increased my water intake. Do you have any creative ways to survive summer? This week I am taking advantage of a couple short workdays to catch up with friends and spend time enjoying their company. How many times did you meditate this week? This week I will be sharing the importance of meditation, so let’s dive in!

I watched a Ted Talk by Richard J. Davidson called, “How mindfulness changes the emotional life of out brains.” This was an enlightening talk about how mindfulness has changed our world and society today. I will highlight my main takeaways but encourage you to check it out for yourself!

1. Our brains are constantly changed by forces around us, but we are usually unaware of those forces. The results of our brains being changed unwittingly include distractibility, loneliness, negative self-talk, depression, loss of meaning and purpose in life. These negative mental states have a direct effect on our physical health. Loneliness has proven to be more deadly than obesity.

2. Pillars of a healthy mind: awareness (the ability to focus your attention and resist distraction), connection (interpersonal relationships consisting of kindness, appreciation, compassion), insight (how we see ourselves and the narrative about ourselves), and purpose (our life is headed in a particular direction).

3. Train your brain! By learning through declarative learning (book learning) and procedural learning. Two different types of wiring in your brain. We can change our brains very quickly! Through systematic practice these changes can become your new way of life. Begin with just 3 minutes a day. Create a learned behavior to become a healthier version of yourself and others, as well as change the world.

You may ask yourself how this relates to meditation. Last week we explored the meaning of meditation and discovered that meditation is about promoting awareness, as well as calmness and relaxation. Until today, I never stopped to think that meditation has the power to change society and the world by retraining your brain. It makes me wonder how far the reach of positive changes can extend. How will you choose to change your future through the act of meditation?

Whether this is your first time reading my blog, or you are a loyal subscriber, Thank you! I am so glad you tuned in this week! Do you have a friend or family member that could benefit from this blog? Tell them to subscribe!

Have a blessed week ~ Lacey