There are numerous benefits to practicing mindfulness and meditation. There has been a huge surge of interest in it since people have become more aware of the many different ways in which it can enhance and improve someone’s life.
Meditation can both calm and strengthen the mind, giving you the platform that you need to make progress, feel more content and maximise your potential. This article will look at the ways in which training your mind through meditation can help you on the path to self-improvement.
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Meditation and personal growth
Meditation gives us the opportunity to learn more about ourselves and the way that our minds work. When we are sitting quietly without any source of external stimulation, we become much more aware of what our minds are doing and what we are thinking about.
Overtime this can help us to understand the link between our thoughts and our feelings, and it may then become apparent to us that there are some negative recurring thought patterns that regularly run through our minds, or unhealthy ways of thinking and feeling about ourselves and the world.
Increased self-awareness
Once we have brought this level of awareness to what our minds are doing and acknowledged any thought patterns that are not progressive or helpful, through meditation we can learn to let go and disassociate from any unhelpful thoughts or unnecessary feelings of worry and anxiety.
Back in the driver’s seat
Over time through regular practice, we will learn to be much more in control of our own minds. And bringing that newfound awareness forward into our daily lives, can help us get into much more positive ways of thinking and behaving.
Once we have gained sufficient practice at this through meditation, we are in a much stronger position to identify and work on those aspects of ourselves that require growth. This is why meditation can be a powerful tool to help people fight addiction and ultimately dramatically improve their quality of life. The result of prolonged practice will be a stronger and more resilient mind and a more calm and composed nature and approach to life.
Improved mental health
The ultimate power of meditation resides in its ability to root us firmly in the present moment. As a result, it is a great tool for improving mental health. When someone is depressed or anxious, often the mind is racing with worried or anxious thoughts about the past or future, whereas meditation requires us to calm and still our minds and focus on the present moment. So in a sense, meditation could be perceived as a natural antidote to depression and anxiety.
The Power of Now
Regular practice can help bring us closer to the understanding that all we have is the present moment. As a result, we can learn to become much more grateful and content for the small things and with less, helping us to reduce our attachment to external things or material wealth. It also teaches us to seize and make the most of the present moment, as the actions that we take in the present, are what will ultimately shape and determine the future.
Improved Attention Span
When we meditate, we are actively improving our brains capacity for focus and attention. And If we regularly practice this prolonged mental focus and concentration through meditation, it has the potential to bring about a significant increase in the length and intensity of our attention span.
Research shows that not only does it improve concentration, but it may even reverse brain patterns that cause poor attention, mind-wandering and worrying. By bringing about this powerful change in our brains, we can become more efficient and productive in our daily lives, which in turn could help us feel more satisfied and positive.
