The earliest evidence of meditation is in the form of ancient wall art, which archaeologists date back to between 5000 and 3500 BCE. In these paintings, people are seen in meditation poses. But, unlike several things that change over time, the ancient art of meditation is still very much practiced today. Well, that is because of the following reasons:
1. Lowers the level of stress
One of the key reasons why the ancient art of meditation is still practiced today is that it significantly lowers the level of stress one feels. Various studies have shown that if you practice meditation, especially self guided meditation, then you can get rid of negative energy from your mind. And, by getting rid of this negative energy, you will be relieving yourself of stress as well as improving your quality of life. Individuals who practiced meditation thousands of years ago, relied on it to escape depression, insomnia, anxiety, and loss of concentration, among others.
2. It Has a Positive Impact on mental health
Another reason why the ancient art of meditation is still practiced today is that studies have found that it enhances mental health. In his teachings, the Buddha talks about how meditation can make you have a positive outlook on life. The art of meditation also improves self-confidence. Plus, studies have shown that, when practiced regularly, it can minimize the frequency of negative thoughts.
3. Increases attention span
The ancient art of meditation has also been proven to increase focus and attention span. Today, there are all kinds of distractors, from mobile phones to TV. This has led to many people being unable to concentrate longer. Well, with increased attention span being one of the benefits of the ancient art of meditation, it makes sense to see it being practiced to date. According to experts, practicing the ancient art of meditation for only 13 minutes every day for eight weeks can greatly improve your memory and attention.
4. Generates Kindness and Empathy
People are encouraged to keep practicing the ancient art of meditation because it brings out empathy and kindness. Research shows that those who practice meditation on a regular basis are always kind and do not hesitate to show empathy toward others. These individuals are always ready to move on with life. This means they are quick to forgive and will tend to positively impact the lives of other people, especially those they are closer to.
5. Eliminates Insomnia
Practicing the ancient art of meditation can also help improve sleep. The Buddha and even those who came before him realized that they slept better due to regular meditation. In today’s world, sleep is crucial for increased productivity and alertness. Perhaps, this explains why a good number of people still practice the ancient art of meditation today. Those who practice it regularly are able to sleep faster and stay asleep much longer. Additionally, regular meditation induces a peaceful state, eases tension in the muscles, and relaxes the body. All these are needed for improved sleep.
6. Increases the Pain Threshold
It is safe to say that one of the reasons why the ancient art of meditation has been practiced since the dawn of time is that it lowers pain, at least that is what research has found out. The perception of pain comes from the mind, which means you are likely to feel pain when you are stressed out. Meditation, especially when done regularly, calms the mind and helps reduce this perception. This, in turn, makes you endure more, just like individuals who first practiced it several years ago.
7. Lowers blood pressure
The ancient art of meditation eases stress as well as reduces strain on the heart. By so doing, it lowers blood pressure, to some extent. Innumerable studies, carried out to find the reason why meditation is still relevant today, show that meditating regularly can help reduce blood pressure medications. What’s more, regular meditation reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. It goes without saying that, it offers an easy way to stay fit and enjoy a quality life.
Conclusion
The world around you is always changing, however, some things do withstand the test of time and remain the same way they were when they first came into existence. The ancient art of meditation is one of these things. This spiritual practice is still favored by millions of people today and is encouraged by all due to the endless benefits it provides.
Apart from that if you want to know about The Restless Sleeper then visit our Lifestyle category.
