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We often hear about the benefits of meditation, and there are many. However, the benefits of meditation are often quite subtle, and do not show themselves immediately. Also, meditation practice take a bit of getting used to, since most people are just not used to sitting silently and doing what seems like nothing. For the person who is new to meditation, these factors may cause them to give up on meditation. However, this would be a mistake. In this article, I would like to encourage people to continue or to take up meditation by pointing out five benefits that immediately happen when you begin meditating.
First Benefit: Training your mind to be still.
As you begin meditating for the first time, you will notice that your mind is full of chatter. We often feel that this chatter is beyond our control, that we cannot stop it from invading our minds and distracting us. However, even a novice learns through meditation to calm and control these thoughts to a degree. This teaches us a great lesson: that we can control this mind chatter, and with further practice there may come a day when we can be masters of our own minds.
Second Benefit: Me Time.
Meditation forces you to remove yourself from the rat race of life. There is an old saying about the rat race; even if you win, you are still a rat. Meditation is a way to reward yourself with stillness, silence, and focused attention on yourself and your needs. Modern life tries to keep us distracted, busy, and manic. Meditation recharges, renews, and rejuvenates. It is true me time.
Third Benefit: Improved Metabolism.
Meditation slows your breathing, heart rate, and reduces blood pressure. Meditation releases tight muscles and opens blood vessels to help blood flow more freely. Meditation allows your breath to flow easily and evenly into and out of your lungs. All of these things have a positive impact on the overall health and well being of your physical body.
Fourth Benefit: Increased Calm and Patience in Life.
One thing you will see immediately once you begin meditating is you are more calm and patient. There will be degrees to this, and some days will be better than others, however meditation immediately begins to effect a sense of calm and patience in your daily life. This will have wide ranging effects down the road for your overall health, including reduced stress, increased energy, and a greater appreciation and joy for life.
Fifth Benefit: Self-Esteem, and a Better World.
Nothing feels better than knowing you are taking control of your life, and doing something positive for yourself, your loved ones, and the world around you. Meditation is an easy and effective way for any person to begin taking positive action to improve their health and the quality of their lives. And happy, healthy, and vibrant people radiate positive energy to those around them, making their little corner of this world better for everyone they meet and interact with on a daily basis.
I hope you begin meditating today in order to enjoy these five benefits immediately in your life.
About the Author
Dave Wilcox writes articles on topics such as self-improvement, spirituality, diet, and fitness.
For programs that can teach you how to start taking advantage of the benefits of meditation today visit!:
http://thepowerofthespirit.blogspot.com/
and
http://www.squidoo.com/meditation-for-self-improvement
Article Source: http://goarticles.com/article/The-Benefits-of-Meditation-Five-Immediate-Benefits-Even-Beginners-Can-Experience/4277759/