The Case For Meditation: Its Utility, Misconceptions, And Instructions
At this point, there are plenty of scientific studies supporting the practice of meditation. Neuroscientists have been able to study it in labs and notice the differences it makes within the brain’s structures. Medical researchers have found that the practice can reduce blood pressure, boost stress recovery, improve immune system response, and mitigate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
As a concept, it carries religious and spiritual overtones which some people get the impression that it is mystical, or unscientific. Fair points, considering that the practice came from ancient philosophies and religious traditions from the East. The authors acknowledge this early on in this book. They specify that while there are several types of meditation, and the earliest ones are those that are part of faith-based practices, their subject in this book is what’s called Mindfulness Meditation.
You could say that this book’s underlying theme is meditation as a secular practice, marketed for western thought. The authors talked about common hesitations and misconceptions about the practice, along with presenting and providing instructions on how to do different forms of meditation. Throughout the book, the authors toured around their country in a bus, and they detailed their journey on spreading the utility of meditation.
Some hesitations and misconceptions they noticed from people are:
- not knowing how to do the practice in the first place,
- not having enough time for it,
- social expectations that people might think they’re weird,
- guilt and seeing it as self-indulgent,
- fear of being alone with one’s thoughts,
- worry and anxiety about losing one’s drive or performance,
- seeing it as just another activity and,
- the inability to make it a habit.
The authors also discuss five other meditation trainings aside from mindfulness, which are about concentration, clarity, equanimity, friendliness, and enjoyment. Concentration is about building the ability to hold a direction. Clarity is about having the ability to discern and objectively see our experiences. Equanimity is building the ability to get out of one’s way. Friendliness is to treat other people with compassion and care. Enjoyment is feeling the moment as it is. All are anchored from the first practice of mindfulness.
What’s interesting is the emphasis on the point of Mindfulness Meditation which is simply to notice. To notice your thoughts and emotions as they arise, and to realize that you are not at the mercy of them. Building this ability makes you less reactive, less prone to outbursts, and a much more active participant in your life. “The goal is not to clear your mind but to focus your mind“. The authors note.
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