Meditation is noticing the breath, thereby slowing and eventually even stilling the thought waves of the mind.  Meditation calms the mind, creates a relaxed, observant state that leads to greater sense of peacefulness and purpose. Meditating has been compared to dumping the trash on our computer; it is neural pruning.  Any act habitually entered into with the whole heart that takes us to a deeper place can be considered Meditation.  This includes gardening, walking, running in silence, yoga, prayer and even washing dishes.

Physically, Meditation:

  • Improves how our nerves respond to pain
  • Strengthens our immune system
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Increases energy
  • Reduces stress and lethargy

Mentally and Emotionally, Meditation:

  • Reduces anxiety, depression, and compulsion and obsession
  • Lifts our mood
  • Reduces anger
  • Increases our focus and concentration

Spiritually, Meditation:

  • Raises our level of consciousness
  • Heals our psyche
  • Helps us reconnect with our Higher Power/True Self/Source of Love

MRI scans show a difference in brain structure and chemistry after 6 – 8 weeks of meditation.

The amygdala, a tiny almond shaped structure in our brain is affected by anxiety. It increases in size under stress, but the amygdala shrinks in size in regular meditators.  Meditation is considered as effective as psychiatric medicine for depression and anxiety.

I offer instruction in Meditation to enhance the psychotherapy work I do with clients.  Our opinion of ourselves is more reliable after meditation, so that with less shame, we are able to identify unhelpful patterns and move beyond them, so we can get back in touch with how loveable we are, and live out of our truest, deepest selves.

Clients tell me that they can’t meditate because they cannot stop thinking.  The point of Meditation is not to stop thinking; thinking is what the human brain does.  Rather, in Meditation, we notice our thoughts and then ever so gently just let them pass by.  I like to use the image of the scuba diver when teaching Meditation.  Imagine that you are a scuba diver with air tank and wet suit sitting at the bottom of the river on a rock.  Above, you see the hulls of boats passing by.  These represent our thoughts.  The goal of Meditation is to stay sitting on the rock at the bottom of the river breathing and just watching the boats (or thoughts) glide by, without swimming up and climbing into one.

If you would like to learn more about Meditation and how it can help us live out of a  more abundant, peaceful, centered place, call Elizabeth at Elizabeth Pankey-Warren Psychotherapy, 561-8660-6607 or send her an email.

By Rev. Elizabeth Pankey-Warren, M. Div, LCSW 15074