Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years as a way of enhancing awareness, tranquility and spiritual connection.  It is a deep practice of stillness, relaxation and attention which has the potential for extraordinary physiological, psychological and spiritual benefits for an individual.  There are many forms of meditation including but not limited to:

• Advaita Vedanta
  
• Transcendental
  
• Christian Contemplative
  
• Mindfulness
  
• Concentration Technique
  
• Hisbodedus (Kabbalistic)
  
• Zen
  
• Tai Chi Chuan (moving)

Meditation falls into 2 main categories which are meditation “with seed,” and meditation “without seed.”  In meditation with seed, the “seed” is something for the individual to focus on, such as the breath, a mantra, a visual, or a sound.  Meditation without seed is the practice of letting go of any distraction including the “seed.”  This practice incorporates having no relationship to anything that arises in the field of one’s consciousness.

The benefits of meditation are numerous and based on a 2008 study that was supported by the National Institute of Health, include “effective functioning, including academic performance, concentration, perceptual sensitivity, reaction time, memory, self control, empathy, and self esteem.”(Oman et al, 2008, pg. 570)

Holistic Health offers a bi-weekly meditation group in conjunction with Sol Yoga which meets at the Yoga studio and is led by one of our experienced meditation instructors.  We focus on the practice of meditation “without seed,” and hope to help our patients achieve a level of ease and depth that they have not previously experienced.  Click here to ask questions or express interest in this wonderful program.  We hope to see you soon on the meditation cushion!