Meditation
What is meditation?
Meditation is the ancient practice of focusing one's breathing and attention to help calm the mind and soothe the body. The health and spiritual benefits of meditation have been recognized, for thousands of years, by religious and spiritual traditions throughout the world. Meditation is now widely practiced in the West, with growing scientific evidence of its many positive mental, emotional, and physical benefits.
Can meditation help people with cancer?
Yes. Meditation can help treat a wide range of physical, mental, and psychological issues and problems, including anxiety, stress, and depression. It can also help relieve insomnia, high blood pressure, fatigue, and pain associated with cancer and cancer treatment. The regular practice of meditation can enhance one’s overall attitude, the ability to respond effectively to challenges, and help improve mood and quality of life. Research is under way to evaluate additional potential health benefits of meditation.
Meditation alone is not a proven treatment for cancer, nor has it been found to affect either cancer cells directly or the biology of an individual’s disease. It should not be used as a substitute for conventional care.
How does meditation work?
Meditation is very simple. It usually involves slow, regular breathing and sitting quietly for 15 to 20 minutes. It sometimes involves a religious or spiritual practice and can be practiced individually or in groups. It may include simple rituals, such as lighting a candle, ringing a bell, saying a prayer, burning incense, or contemplating objects or images of devotion or inspiration. However, none of these rituals or religious or spiritual elements are required. Anyone can meditate simply by sitting quietly with their eyes open or closed, at home, at work, in a cancer center, or outdoors in nature.
Two major types of meditation techniques are:
- Concentrative meditation: focuses awareness on a single image, sound, or mantra (specific words spoken or sung in a pattern), or on one’s own breathing.
- Mindfulness meditation: focuses awareness on the stream of thoughts, feelings, sounds, and images that pass through the mind, allowing them to gently be released as they arise.
In recent years, scientists have made remarkable discoveries about how meditation can affect brain function in a variety of positive and healthy ways.
Are there any risks or complications associated with meditation? No. Meditation is very safe and is not thought to have any negative side effects or complications. It is completely safe when used along with conventional medical treatment. Of note, however, because it usually involves sitting quietly for a period of time, anyone who cannot sit comfortably or who has respiratory problems may have difficulty practicing meditation. Some people with mental health problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or schizophrenia, may also not be able to meditate effectively.
How can I find a qualified meditation teacher?
It is important to select a teacher who is qualified, experienced, and trustworthy. Click here to learn more about how to do this.