The Prescription Is Meditation

Mind & Spirit : NST Life & Times 19/10/2010

http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Mind_Spirit_Theprescriptionismeditation/Article

BY CHIM LI YEN

HAVE you taken care of your mind? Most of us think that the physical body is more important than the mind.

In the past two decades, we have been seeing a growing body of evidence revealing the obvious connection between mind and body. Everything around us is a manifestation of the mind. Every invention starts off as a thought followed by action to make it happen.

Besides exercising our physical body, we need to train our mind too. Do you know that a negative mindset can create illness and disharmony in your physical body? We can maintain optimal mental health by a regular meditation practice.

Does the word “meditation” conjure an image of an old, wise sage sitting in lotus position in his little Himalayan cave? Speaking to Hor Tuck Loon, a meditation teacher from Clove & Clive, debunks the misconception that meditation is a mystical practice where one has to sit cross-legged with closed eyes to achieve enlightenment.

Understanding of the mind is universal as it is not specific to religion, culture or race. Meditation is mind-work, the state of being aware. It is not the work of the body. It is not what you do with your body, the way you sit or walk or move. Meditation is experiencing the mind and the body directly, moment to moment with the right understanding.

Hor explains: “Mindfulness is doing something and knowing that we are doing something. Most of the time, we are not totally present to what we are doing. We might be physically driving a car but our mind is thinking about work, the children or what to eat for lunch.

When you place your hands together and pay attention, you will feel a sensation — that is the mind at work. Can you know those touching sensations if you are thinking of other things? You obviously cannot. You have to be attentive.

Applying mindfulness to life increases our efficiency manifold because we keep our awareness in the present moment and break free from the thinking mind, which is usually replaying the past or planning for the future. It allows us to be in touch with the miracles of the present, without any verbal thinking in the way. We open up to new possibilities of looking at things differently.”

Many doctors have incorporated meditation successfully in their medical practice, especially for patients with problems who won’t respond to medication. Meditation is more than a psychological phenomenon as research has shown reproducible physical changes in the brain and the body.

At the Stress Reduction Clinic in the University of Massachusetts, a world-renowned stress and pain clinic in the US, meditation has been reported to reduce chronic pain by an average of 50 per cent. Follow-up studies indicate that the pain reduction lasted for more than a year.

During meditation, blood flow and metabolism are increased in brain areas, known to be associated with feelings of happiness and well-being like the left prefrontal cortex and the limbic system. This shift is partly mediated by the neurons in the brain, releasing a neurotransmitter called dopamine and endorphins, which reduces pain and produces a sense of satisfaction. Regular meditators experience neuroplastic changes in the brain modifying the way pain signals are processed by the brain, thus reducing the perception of pain.

Meditation has been documented to treat psoriasis, obesity and chronic fatigue, to prevent stomach ulcers and heartburn, to diminish symptoms of asthma, migraine, chronic lung disease, PMS and hot flashes associated with menopause, to relieve anxiety, sadness and minor depression and to help people with Alzheimer’s disease improve concentration and flexibility of mind.

“People who meditate consistently experience an increased feeling of happiness, alertness, peace and freedom. It promotes positive states of mind such as compassion, kindness, love, generosity and patience.

“Negative qualities arise because we don’t understand the mind. We become angry or upset because we hold on to our views and expectations. A person who meditates becomes more conscious of the inherent patterns in his mind — both positive and negative. Being aware of his emotions and thoughts, he brings his focus back to himself instead of focusing on the external. He can then let go of ideas which are not beneficial and change his perception.

“Ass the meditation practice progresses, the knowledge and understanding we have accumulated will naturally come in more quickly. Wisdom and mindfulness start to work as a team. The mind becomes purer and more equanimous. We begin to experience moments of clarity in which we see things in a completely new light,” he explains.

Hor has been teaching meditation for the past 20 years, drawing parallels from many ancient wisdom teachings and also from his years of experience in the journey of mindfulness. He offers a contemporary approach to meditation through various courses, workshops and weekend retreats.

His unique style of teaching and sharing provokes reflection and discussion, and using mindfulness as a tool, skillfully guides participants into understanding how recognising the mechanics of the mind brings about freedom and happiness.

He will be giving a free talk titled Mindful Living, Mindless Leaving at 7.30pm this Friday. Come to The Violet Flame to find out how meditation can enhance your life. To register for the talk, call 03-2095 9868.

Hor will also be conducting a meditation retreat in Janda Baik, Pahang, from Nov 5-7. Visit www.clovenclive.com.my for details.

• The writer is co-founder of The Violet Flame Holistic Shop and Therapy Centre, Bangsar. She can be reached at info@thevioletflame.com.my