When I say meditation, what image comes to mind?
Is it a robe-clad Buddha sitting cross legged under a Willow tree…… quietly chanting….maybe there’s gong gently sounding somewhere? Or maybe it’s a room full of stressed-out office workers, trying desperately not to think about their emails and instant messages, eyes closed tight and ‘ohhhhmmming’ at the Yogi’s instruction? Whatever your mind’s image of meditation, there’s a common agreeance that the practice is all about relaxing. Mindfulness. Doing something to quieten down the body to benefit the mind. An activity to only bring benefit; so why do so many struggle to complete this simple task?
Why Meditate? In today’s fast paced society, one might find it sad that we have to take a class, or make such an effort, to slow down. Meditation is exactly that; taking the time to slow down and being mindful of one’s thoughts, surroundings, body and intentions. It is a deeply personal experience, with many popular methods and styles, and is a very simple concept, but can be quite difficult to master. Scientifically speaking, the major benefit of meditation is that our brains stop processing information as actively as they usually would. There is a decrease in beta waves (the brain waves that indicate our brains are processing information) and a decrease in activity in the frontal and parietal lobe. But perhaps the coolest finding is the relaxation of the Reticular Formation, a network of nerve pathways that acts as a guard for the brain and keeps it alert. When these nerves are less stimulated, the brain can actually let go of it’s a defences a little and relax. They all have a rest, in other words, and with all the work the brain has to do for the other 23hours and 40 mins of the day, practising quiet meditation for 20 mins doesn’t sound so hard. Types of Meditation There are many formal types of meditation but the most popular and widely practiced is the focused-attention (or mindful) meditation, which is where you focus on one specific thing, like breathing, a sound being played, a sensation being felt or a particular object. The point of this type of meditation is to focus on one decided point and continually bring your attention back to that focal point when it wanders. This kind of focused practice uses the mind like a muscle – the more we train our brain to return to a focused object or feeling, the more naturally it will happen in our meditation practice and in day-to-day life. This brings about better focus, less anxiety, more creativity, more mindfulness and less stress. Why Teach Meditation? What could be better than mastering the art of meditation? Why to teach it of course! Students who are taught to effectively meditate report higher levels of optimism, more positive emotions, greater self-acceptance and self-care practices, as well as experiencing reduced anxiety, stress and depression. What could be a greater lesson to teach than that!? The most basic pre-requisite to hone your meditation teaching skills is to follow the cliches; walk the walk and practice what you preach. To truly appreciate the beauty and art of meditation, one must experience it’s benefits yourself, and pass on your knowledge and passion to your students. Are you wanting to become a Meditation Teacher? Are you interested in taking your practice to the next level and sharing your love for meditation with others? Willow Training College’s Certificate in Meditation Teaching and Holistic Human Development is the perfect first step in your journey to becoming a truly effective and knowledgeable Meditation Teacher. Contact Willow Training College at www.willowtrainingcollege.com and start your dream career path today!
1 Comment
Alyce Jade Lyra
10/23/2021 08:07:03 am
Good morning,
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AuthorClancy Stevens - Willow Training College |