Meditation as a Tool for Healing - Webinar Transcript

1. Meditation as a Tool for Action By Dr. Jill N. Henry Author, Energy SourceBook – The Fundamentals of Personal Energy www.mountainvalleycenter.com
2. Meditation as a Tool for Action  Meditation is a skill or technique that involves the development of non- sensory aspects of consciousness in order to enhance one’s abilities to attain one’s life goals.
3. Meditation:  Improves mood state, adrenocortical activity and kidney function (Walton, Pugh, Gelderloos, Journal of Alternative and complimentary medicine, 1995  Decreases essential hypertension (WMJ, 1998)
4. Meditation:  Reduces serum cholesterol levels, independent of dietary measures (Journal of Human Stress, 1979)  Increases hardiness measures in people with HIV-AIDS (Journal of Associate Nurses AIDS Care, 1993)
5. Meditation:  Decreases symptoms of fibromyalagia (General Hospital Psychiatry, 1993  Increases melatonin levels in the body, where decreased levels have been associated with development of breast and prostate cancer (Journal of Medical Hypotheses, 1995)
6. Meditation:  Reduces coronary prone behaviors such as impatience and hostility (Journal of Perceptual Motor Skills, 1984)  Reduces symptoms of anxiety and panic in patients with anxiety disorders (American Journal of Psychiatry, 1992)
7. Meditation:  Reduces or eliminates chronic pain including low back, neck, and shoulder pain, headache, facial pain, angina pectoris, noncoronary chest pain and GI pain (Journal of General Hospital Psychiatry, 1980)
8. Meditation  All meditation produces changes in brainwave states, taking the participant from high Beta (13-30 cps) associated with a racing mind and stress to Alpha (8-13 cps) associated with relaxation and inward awareness and even to Theta (4-8 cps) associated with creativity and inspiration.
9. Forms of Meditation  Concentration  Contemplation  Mindfulness
10. Concentration Meditation PURPOSE Calming PROCESS Focused attention on single object OUTCOME Attainment of alpha & theta brain wave states
11. Concentration Techniques Focus on:  Mantra -single sound or phrase  Image - candle, crystal, painting  Sound - single note or tone  Idea - Love, Peace, Joy  Sensation - Breath
12. Contemplation Meditation PURPOSE Creating PROCESS Focused attention on a range of images OUTCOME Change inner experience to change outer experience
13. Contemplation Techniques Use:  Visualization & Guided Imagery  Affirmations  Prayer  Koan  Inquiry - Who am I?
14. Mindfulness Meditation PURPOSE Observing PROCESS Direct awareness of all phenomena OUTCOME Freedom through realization of dualism & impermanence
15. Mindfulness Techniques Awareness and direct experience of:  Breathing  Thoughts  Sensations  Feelings  Sounds & Environment
16. Don’t Have Time? Meditating for 5 minutes a day is good and will show results, 20 minutes is better and 40 minutes is great! What else can you do in that brief amount of time that has so many physical and emotional benefits?
17. Don’t Know How!? Meditation may be easily learned from books, tapes, and personal instruction. Dr Henry’s Energy SourceBook, the Fundamentals of Personal energy is available at most major book retailers, at Amazon.com, and on her website at mountanivalleycenter.com
18. By Dr. Jill N. Henry Author, Energy SourceBook – The Fundamentals of Personal Energy www.mountainvalleycenter.com