5 Amazing Benefits Of Meditation You Should Know About

https://www.rishikeshyogisyogshala.org/5-amazing-benefits-of-meditation-you-should-know-about/ The holistic process of training the mind to focus and redirect the thoughts to increase mindfulness and awareness of the surroundings is defined as meditation. Considered as one of the traditional practices of ancient India, meditation is slowly surpassing its popularity as more people are discovering the cornucopia of health benefits that meditation provides to its practitioners. Meditation can not only help in boosting cognitive abilities but can also help in fostering a positive mood and outlook towards life. Intriguing, right? Curious to know more about the scientific benefits of meditation, continue reading the article then as we share some more details.   ABCs of meditation   Before we state the abundant benefits of meditation, let us first understand what we mean by meditation. As mentioned before, meditation is considered as the process of making your mind deeply focused for a particular period of time. It is an ancient technique that helps in developing mindfulness and self-awareness. There are different forms of this practice, catering to everyone's needs and some of the popular types of the practice are   Mindfulness meditation: Mindfulness meditation involves a person being fully present with their thoughts. During this meditation, one tends to be aware of their emotions and thoughts and tries to acknowledge all of their feelings. Transcendental meditation: Allowing oneself to settle into a profound state of relaxation, transcendental meditation uses a specific mantra, small phrase, word, or sound to achieve inner peace. Guided meditation: Also known as guided visualization, this meditation incorporates imaginations of sceneries and situations that one finds relaxing.   Vipassana meditation: An ancient Indian form of meditation, vipassana focuses on self-transformation through self-observation. It helps in establishing a spiritual connection between the mind and the body.   Loving-kindness meditation: Also known as metta meditation, loving-kindness meditation involves directing well-wishes towards others in an attempt to evoke warm-hearted feelings in the practitioner. Chakra meditation: Channelizing all the energy sources and spiritual powers in the body, chakra meditation involves aligning all the seven chakras in our body for the better development of the individual. Yoga meditation: Another ancient practice of India, yoga involves incorporating different breathing exercises and postures. Scientific Benefits of meditation   Meditation can be practiced in different forms and we just saw some of the most popular ones.   Now that we have the different types of meditation out of our way, let us look at some of the potential benefits of meditation.   Boosts cognitive abilities   Meditation incorporates mindfulness techniques that help one to become aware of their surroundings.   Practicing mindfulness helps one to focus on the present and therefore boost the concentration and focus of the individual in the process.   Conducted on a group of 37 people, a study has shown meditation helps in increasing the grey matter that is responsible for the regulation of memory, language, and emotions. Meditation can also help in training our meta-awareness and subconscious mind.   Improves self-awareness   We live in a fast-paced world where everyone is running to complete their daily tasks. Meditation, on the other hand, encourages one to slow down and acknowledge their environment and situations.   A person might practice meditation merely for ten minutes a day, however, that ten minutes helps one to focus only on their feelings and thoughts without passing any judgments.   Studies have also shown that this self-awareness technique helps in boosting one's self-confidence as well. For those suffering from social anxiety, practicing meditation can be exceptionally beneficial.   Helps in managing blood pressure and stress   When the hormone cortisol increases in the bloodstream, it causes mental and physical stress.   Increased levels of cortisol in the body also lead to the release of cytokines which leads to disruption of sleep and causes anxiety and depression. High-stress levels also lead to an increase in blood pressure.   However, on the bright side, research has shown that practicing meditation, especially mindfulness meditation can help in decreasing the inflammation caused due to stress.   Practicing meditation daily can help in alleviating the symptoms of stress easily and also improve cardiovascular health. They help in regulating high blood pressure by relaxing the nerve signals that help in coordinating the heart functions.   Reduces age-related memory problems   Reduction in cognitive abilities at one age is one of the biggest factors for the development of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Meditation helps in reducing the time of the onset of the decline of cognitive abilities.   A study conducted on older volunteers has shown that by practicing meditation, one can not only help in combating memory loss but also help in improving the symptoms caused due to ailments like dementia.   Alleviates the overall physical health of the body   Apart from boosting the mental health of the body, meditation can also help in improving the physical health of an individual drastically too.   Meditation helps in combating addictions and also boosts emotional health. It helps one to manage impulses and therefore control the urges that lead to the addictions.   Practicing meditation forms like mindfulness and yoga boosts circulation which helps in solving different health problems in the body. And it is important to mention the fact that since meditation helps in managing the stress levels in the body, it simultaneously also helps in solving the different problems associated with high levels of cortisol in the body.   How to practice meditation?    Meditation involves a variety of elements and there is no correct way to practice meditation. It solely depends upon the practitioner on how they want to inculcate the practice in his/her daily routine.   However, to simplify, we have created a short rundown on how you can practice meditation in your everyday routine.   First of all, choose a quiet setting. Calm yourself down and choose a comfortable position. Now focus on your breathing pattern. Take deep breaths in, hold in for a few seconds, and then breathe out. Practice it for 5-10 mins. Then close your eyes, and try to focus on different parts of your body. Try to grasp the sensations that are going through the body at that particular time. This will help one to become self-aware. You can also try to include the chanting of a mantra or any hymn of your religion to relax your body and align the different chakras of your body. You can also try to focus on love and gratitude by sending prayers of goodwill to different people and finally finish off the session with some yoga poses.   Now there you go, a detailed guide on the different aspects of meditation. Hopefully, our article was able to shed some light on the scientific benefits of meditation and how to incorporate meditation into your daily routine. With the help of a holistic process like meditation, incorporating the small techniques in your life can help in improving your physical and mental health in no time. If you wonder where you should start from, there are always YouTube videos and guides that can come to our help or you can seek the guidance of a certified practitioner for professional guidance. Read More...  Read Less...

How To Do Candle Flame Trataka and Its Benefits

https://www.rishikeshyogisyogshala.org/trataka-and-its-benefits/ On following the 8 limbs of yoga, it merges us with the supreme-soul through ‘Samadhi’. But before you attain the samadhi, you must mastery over Dharna (Concentration). In different classical text, there are a number of techniques described which helps in developing the sense of ‘Concentration (Dharna).’ Trataka is one such technique which concentrates the mind by stilling the movement of eyes.   What is TRATAKA The term 'Trataka' or 'Tratak' has been taken from yogic language (Sanskrit) which means 'To look' or 'To gaze'. The gaze in Tratak is focused at some pointed object which can absorb the eyes efficiently (In turn, focuses the mind). Initially, the object can be a source of light (candle flame), a black dot on a white wall or an image of self on a mirror. With time, the practice of visualizing the after-image of an 'external object' gets intense. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The focus of an 'external object' can be shift internally on 'mind screen' easily. Hence, one can say, Tratak is a technique that lets us look mind (& so on, the soul) through eyes. An intent and relaxed gazing of eyes on an object don't let wander mind in Trataka. Thus, Trataka in hatha yoga is practiced as a frontal mind purification technique & is a part of shatkarmas. In the language of spirituality, an opening of the third eye is considered a doorway to higher consciousness & enlightenment.   How do Trataka works Our minds & eyes are inter-related to each other. As in our body, there are five sense organs- eyes, ears, nose, skin & tongue. From these, we can smell, sound, touch, sight or feel anything. Among them, all, visual (sight) is the most powerful. In the case of touch & smell, we have to be near the objects so that we can touch or smell it. However, our eyes can observe the objects or the landscapes that are far away without contact that object. In our body, the eyes contain more than 200 million working parts after the brain. The retina and the optic nerve of our eyes develop a direct outgrowth of our brain. The retina & the brain have similar structures, though it says as the retina is a type of brain that grows in the eyes. It is said that our visions are directly connected to our minds. Our mental states can affect our eye movements. Our brain can also be managed or affected by doing some eye practices. That’s the thing which helps people who has good intelligence to judge the mental state of other people through their eyes. Trataka practice is not only the way to attain stillness of mind, but it’s very powerful & quicker in the feedback also. While practicing Trataka, we focused our attention at the objects or the candle flame through our eyes concentration. This helps us in releasing disorders related to the eyes & the brain.   Types of Trataka There are 3 (three) types of Trataka. They are- Antar Trataka (Inner Trataka) Madhya Trataka (Middle Trataka) Bahya Trataka (Outer Trataka) Antar Trataka (Inner Trataka) Antar Trataka is the technique, performed through closed eyes. In this, we have to close our eyes and then focusing on any symbol or point. If we don’t have any symbol or point in mind then we can focus our attention on the middle of our forehead. It is said that in the middle of the forehead, the third eye is present as Lord Shiva has. This 3rd eye is the type of key that helps in the awakening of ‘Ajna Chakra’. ‘Ajna Chakra’, present in the middle of the eyes. Antar Trataka is also known as ‘Dristi Yoga’, ‘Drishti Yoga’, ‘Shambhavi Mudra’, and ‘Bhrukuti-Drishti’. While practicing Antar Trataka, it may feel some pain or heat in our mind in the beginning. But we don’t have to worry about it, as it will normalize gradually. Keep trying to focus on that point. Benefits: Practicing of Antar Trataka can help us to hypnotize any person who is very far from us. It helps us in constructing our confident, intelligence & patience. It also gives us peace by taking away negative thoughts and desires from our minds. Madhya Trataka (Middle Trataka) Madhya Trataka is the technique, performed through open eyes. In this, we have to focus our attention on near objects of any material. We can also practice Madhya Trataka with the candle flame, concentric circles having dots in its middle, black dot in the white wall or vice-versa. We should close our eyes if we feel burning sensation in our eyes & then can start this process (Kriya) again. Keep the object at a distance of 20 to 25 inches at eye level so that there is no pressure or rinsing on our neck. This Trataka should be performed in a dark room that is free from insects and the flow of air. Benefits: Practicing of Madhya Trataka helps us to improve our concentration, memory & mental power. We can get the powers of hypnotic, precaution & spiritual. It also increases our ability to read other’s minds & our working efficiency. Bahya Trataka (Outer Trataka)  Bahya Trataka is the technique, which can be performed at any time of the day or night. In this, we have to focus our eyes and attention on any distant object like the sun, the moon & the stars. The people who are having their eyesight week cannot practice Bahya Trataka. As it may cause them mental disorders. Benefits:   Practicing of Bahya Trataka helps in getting free of mental disorders. It also improves our foresight & motivational power.   How to do Trataka Trataka can be practiced in various ways by focusing our attention on a dot on a leaf, candle flame, darkness, blue sky, photograph, crystal, flower & needle. Trataka on the candle flame is the most effective & popular Trataka.   How to do Trataka on the Candle Flame:  Put the burning candle on the Trataka stand or any other stand, adjust that stand at a distance so that the flame should be at the eye level. Flame on the height can create pressure or pain on our neck. The flame should not be moving in a draft, it should be still. Sit in any meditation sitting posture such as- ‘Siddhasana, ‘Padmasana’, ‘Vajrasana’, and ‘Sukhasana’, in front of the flame. Open the eyes and start focusing our attention at the flame without blinking. If it feels the heat on our eyes, close the eyes for a while and then start again the process (Kriya). In the beginning, we should perform Trataka only for about 10 to 20 seconds, as the time will increase steadily. It may have difficulties in the beginning but we don’t have to worry, as it will normalize gradually. Practice it again & again. Focusing our attention at the flame, until we’ll not get tears or water from our eyes. After practicing Trataka, we may blink a few times to relieve anxiety. But just be calm. We can repeat this process (Kriya), according to our interests. Or we can practice the same process with the other objects that are mentioned above.   Benefits of Trataka: Strengthens our eye muscles: As the blinking of an eye is in our control while we focus our attention at the small objects of any material. It helps us in strengthening our eye muscles. Purifies our eyes: As we exercise it to focus upon a point which helps in improving the internal functions of an eye. This helps in purifying our eyes. Treats our eye disorders: When we gaze at an object such as the candle flame or any other small object. This improves our eye concentration that helps in treating eye disorders.  Relieves insomnia: As practicing Trataka gives us peace by taking away negative thoughts & desires from our minds. This helps us in relieving insomnia.  Aids in treating depression: As Trataka is also a mind purifying technique, this technique purifies the mind by decreasing negative desires or thoughts. This helps in treating depression. Improves our concentrations: When we practice gazing at any small objects regularly, it increases our consciousness. This improves our concentration power.  Calms our anxious mind: As Trataka practice helps us in disconnecting with the noise & distraction from the external world. This is really deep relaxing or calming your anxious mind. Promotes our emotional stability: Concentrating on a single object by practicing Trataka, can promote our emotional stability. Boosts our willpower: When we’ll have the spiritual & mental powers by practicing Trataka. Then we can also boost our willpower. Develops intuition & clairvoyance: As we practice Trataka regularly & consistently is said, it’s a key of awakening ‘Ajna Chakra’. ‘Ajna Chakra’ is also known as the ‘third eye’. This helps in developing intuition & psychic power. Improves our vision & memory: It is said that 50% of our minds keep engaging on ‘what we see’. Trataka is totally based on vision as it is practiced by visualizing the small objects of any material. Improves our consciousness power: When we keep concentrating on gazing an object & to optimize it. It improves our consciousness power.   Read More...  Read Less...

6 Best Meditation Retreats in India

https://www.rishikeshyogisyogshala.org/6-best-meditation-retreats-india/ ‘Meditation’ – a technique, and a process perceived as many things by different people. For some, it is a way of life. For others, it is a method that demands time in life. And, for the rest it is a non-decipherable concept. We do not know which category you might belong to. Whether ‘meditation’ is a way of life for you or something that demands time from life, or it could just be an unexplored science that fascinates you – ‘meditation’ is undeniably unique and one of the most invigorating forms of science ever developed. There comes a time in our lives when the mental and emotional clutter overflows creating an imbalance in our mental, emotional and physical health. This may lead to insomnia, anxiety, feeling low, depression, and other physical disorders like BP, heart problems, diabetes etc. Under such circumstances a Meditation Retreat in India is one such elemental experience that is worth living at least once in a year. If you happen to travel to India and are unsure of the destination to undergo a rejuvenating trip, then we suggest you hail for a Meditation Retreat in Rishikesh. A meditation tour in India will not solve a purpose if you are looking for one, it is devoid of it. You might harness something like a weight on your body, mind and soul – ‘meditation’ delivers you to the present moment and lets you live in it, be at peace with it. Meditation is a vast science with different segments and techniques. It is quite easy to feel unsure about which one is ideal. Hence, we have listed the six most inspiring methods to explore from when on a Meditation Trip in India: Vipassana Meditation Achieving mental purification by seeing things as they really are – this is the niche of Vipassana Meditation. Retreats based on Vipassana meditation encourage participants to follow a life of discipline and observe silence and mindfulness all the time. One of the most ancient and the most pain stacking meditation techniques since the time of Lord Buddha, Vipassana Meditation is meant to help achieve mental and physical peace  in the most vital situation. Known for its tougher-than-life process, this meditation technique is taken by very few people due to the same reason. However, if you do decide to give this one a try then you are advised to have nothing on mind, but ‘patience and devotion’. Transcendental Meditation Achieving a state of inner-calmness and peace even when surrounded by chaos and confusion – this is the purpose of Transcendental Meditation. In this form of meditationThis classification of meditation tour in India is specifically for the stressed out souls looking to tune out disparaging things out of their lives. It opens the gateway to achieving ‘inner peace’. Heart Rhythm Meditation The Heart Rhythm Meditation focuses on a downward style of meditation technique that works on the process of consciously observing the movements of cardiac muscles as the focus travels from the core of the body to its feet. This form of meditation technique helps build positive and elated vibes in people. It progressively helps on all three major levels – mentally, physically and spiritually. Mindfulness Meditation One of the ancient forms of Buddhist meditation techniques, Mindfulness Meditation focuses on two keywords ‘Awareness and Acceptance’. Under this particular technique, thoughts are set free. The meditator does not try to control their mind in order to concentrate better – instead, they accept things, thoughts, and images as they appear in the conscious.  Eventually, when the wandering pauses, the mind is able to focus back with much more ease and intensity. This method helps you direct towards living life mindfully. Guided Visualization Meditation To invoke calm and happy thoughts, guided visualization meditation technique seeks visual support of an object or an image that inspires the practicing individual. It uses the power of imagination – as an individual imagines a situation or an experience that renders peace and happiness to them internally. This imaginary experience helps achieve peace, tranquility and delivers feelings of fulfillment to the mind. Kundalini Meditation Kundalini Yoga retreats are based on the traditions of traditional Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Tantra philosophy. There are various Kundalini Kriyas which are employed in the course modules with the purpose of balancing, cleansing and harmonizing the various chakras (energy centres) and Nadi-system (system of energy channels). This form of meditation retreat helps an individual enhance their creative energy and intuitive skills. Guide yourself towards any of these mesmerizing meditation vacations in India and attain a speckle of enlightenment whose effects resonate with your soul for an entire lifetime. Read More...  Read Less...