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Meditation.

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Len of the Chilterns

Len of the Chilterns Report 30 Sep 2009 21:23


College students who volunteered for a study were randomly assigned to one of three groups, regardless of their spiritual beliefs.

The 25 students who were in the spiritual meditation group were told to concentrate on a phrase such as “God is Love” or “God is Great” or “God is Peace” during meditation sessions. Those in the secular meditation group were told to use a phrase such as “I am at peace” or “I am joyful” whilst those in the third group were simply told to relax.

Subjects were asked to practice their techniques for 20 minutes each day for two weeks at the beginning and end of which the researchers used psychological profiling to assess their mood. They also tested pain tolerance as measured by the length of time the volunteers could keep their hands in water at 2°C.
Those practising spiritual meditation showed greater reductions in anxiety than the other two groups and were able to keep their hands in cold water at the end for nearly double the time - on average 92 seconds as against 49 for the relaxation group.
The head of researchers says that spiritual meditation brings more than just deeper relaxation. It is also likely that there is something unique inherent in the practice of spiritual meditation that cannot be completely conveyed through secular mediation and relaxation.(Journal of Behavioural Medicine, DOI; 10.10071/s10865-005-9008-5)

SpanishEyes

SpanishEyes Report 30 Sep 2009 22:09

Len,

On a serous note would that meditation include my daily quiet time and also my prayer time, ?

Thanks

Bridget


PS I really enjoy your threads.

Len of the Chilterns

Len of the Chilterns Report 1 Oct 2009 23:09

Bridget:
Yes, meditating is exactly what you are doing. It becomes much better though, when you realise that fact and allow it to develop.

I particularly enjoy that period between waking and sleeping when the conscious mind slowly closes and the subconscious comes into its own.

During the day one often has the opportunity to have a quiet 10 or 20 minutes. Often, during these quiet times, problems which have plagued the conscious mind often are solved. Sit quietly and comfortably with the eyes closed and just contemplate your breathing. Relaxation will follow but it is not sleep as you will remain perfectly aware.

I have used the technique even during exams - taking a quiet 60 seconds -with beneficial results.

SpanishEyes

SpanishEyes Report 2 Oct 2009 22:15

Thanks Len

What you have explained is exactly what I do. However it is also the way I was taught as a small child to pray, I simple do not use those prayers at this time, now it is as if I am allowing my mind to wander. Sometimes I hrecall were something I lost or misplaced is, other times people seem to come to mind even though I may not know why. i also remeber people I knoow who are having difficulties or having a special time in their life.

Also I wonder if you have an explanation as to why on three of four occassions in my life I have visited somewhere which I know and have found confirmation of the fact that i have never been there before and yet know the place well and twice have looked for a place that I can see but it can no longer be found, I then found out some time later that these places did exist were demolished before I was born?

Also I have been living abroad fro some time but am back in UK as from today to work for about 6 to 12 months. I was told to find a place to rent near to where I shall be working. Well on the net I found the place I thought sounded good and will be moving in tomorrow. When I researched this place it transpires that I have lived there before!!!

I was 3 and a half and due to family circumstance spent 6 to 9 months living in a convent where my father knew the the Mother Superior...that is the same place that I am now moving into, almost 60 yrs later, and I had never been back until now!!


Look forward to reading your reply

PS did you watch the Identical Twin programme, unfortunately I was unable to do so.


Bye for now


bridget

Len of the Chilterns

Len of the Chilterns Report 2 Oct 2009 22:54

Bridget
I know exactly what you mean and will send you a PM

If you think it out carefully - and it is probable that your subconscious has already done this and accepts the situation - you will feel quite special and elated.

I shall shortly be posting a new thread "Mind Matters" which may interest you. My draft has got a bit lengthy so I have to prune it somewhat before postng

Len