Meditation has been getting more attention in recent years as the understanding of the link between mind and body grows. Indeed the medical field of psychoneuroimmunology demonstrates the acceptance of the power the mind has over the body. Sadly the epidemic levels of depression and chronic stress is taking its toll on people’s health. Although stress has a biological purpose the human body was never meant to be subjected to it constantly. Stress hormones are meant to aid the body in the fight or flight response and then the body is supposed to break them down and dispose of them. With the case of depression there is the poor nutrition that most people get as well as the dissatisfaction with their personal and professional lives. Keep in mind that the brain utilizes one fourth of available blood sugar as well as tremendous amounts of nutrients.
Meditation involves slowing down the constant chatter inside of a person’s mind and with it eliminates the physiological responses to the emotions evoked by said chatter. The word emotion can be considered a contraction of the words “energy in motion”. Emotions generate energy and that energy affects the body. Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes the energy generated by emotions as well as the organs that produce or are affected by this energy. The meridians that run through the body direct the flow of energy into and out of the organs. Through various forms of meditation this energy can be controlled.
Any form of contemplative meditation teaches how to control the mind by letting discursive thoughts fade to the point of no longer disrupting conscious brain function. When the level of agitation of the mind by these thoughts diminishes a person becomes less distracted and functions more efficiently. Shamatha meditation or “peaceful abiding” of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition is one method of meditation that accomplishes this.
Chi Kung is a form of meditation that takes this a step further and teaches the control of the energies in our body that affect the body to improve health. This form of meditation uses visualization to direct the flow of energy along the meridians. By directing the flow of energy one can not only reduce the negative effects on health caused by out of control emotions but actually harness this power to improve health. The human energy system is a concept that sadly many Western physicians are reluctant to accept. Ironically quantum physics has demonstrated that many alternative medical theories are not so far fetched. As interest in things such as yoga, t’ai chi ch’aun, chi kung and other meditative arts grows so will research into the medical applications of meditation. Perhaps this will help other fields of alternative medicine become more accepted.
