How to Beat Depression Using Meditation

Meditation Introduction

A person engages in the practise of meditation to train their attention and awareness to reach a mentally clear, emotionally peaceful, and stable state by using a technique, such as mindfulness or focusing on a specific object, thought, or activity. This can be a great way to beat depression using meditation.

Many different religious systems practice meditation. The Upanishads of Hindu philosophy include the oldest descriptions of meditation (dhyana), and both Buddhism and Hinduism emphasise meditation as a key component of their contemplative practices.

Asian meditative practises have been adopted by various civilizations since the 19th century, where they are now used in fields other than spirituality, such business and health.

Meditation can improve calmness, perception, self-concept, and wellbeing while also considerably reducing stress, anxiety, sadness, and pain. The impacts of meditation on health, including psychological, neurological, and cardiovascular health, are still being studied.

Origins of Meditation

The Latin word meditatum, which meaning “to ponder,” is the root of the word meditation. We may strengthen our awareness of how our emotions affect our actions and seek a deeper connection with our body in the ordinary moments that we frequently overlook through the practise of meditation. When some writings on Eastern philosophy that made mention of meditation practises and techniques were translated into several European languages in the 1700s, meditation first gained attention in the West.

How old is Meditation

The earliest known illustrations of meditation come from India and date from about 5000 and 3500 BCE. Wall art paintings show figures seated in meditative-like positions with their eyes half closed, seemingly lost in thought. say time

An article in Medium.com say the earliest documented accounts of meditation are from Hindu traditions of Vendatism in India, which date back to roughly 1500 BCE. Vendatism is a philosophical system and one of the first known Indian routes to enlightenment. Then, different types of meditation from Taoist China and Buddhist India in the sixth and fifth centuries BCE are mentioned.

According to Psychology Today, some archaeologists place the origin of meditation as far back as 5,000 BCE, and the act of meditation itself has religious roots in ancient Egypt and China, as well as Judaism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and, of course, Buddhism. Around five or six centuries BCE, the practise of meditation expanded throughout Asia and started to reach the rest of the world along the Silk Road. It would gradually change as it arrived somewhere fresh to fit each new culture. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that it started to spread outside of the purview of particular religions, particularly in the West.

A timeline produced by Positivepsychology give us a an idea of the history of Meditation

5,000 BC – 3,500 BC	Early development	Indian wall art is the earliest known instance of the practise of meditation.
1500 BC – Hindu Meditation	Hindu Meditation	The earliest recorded reference of meditation is found in the Vedas, a massive body of religious books..
6th – 5th century BC	Early Development	Other types of meditation have evolved in Buddhist India and Taoist China.
6th century BC	Buddhist Meditation	Siddhartha Gautama goes out to achieve enlightenment while also learning meditation.

Will Meditation Reduce Stress Levels?

Without a doubt, there is growing evidence that meditation can help to reduce anxiety and depression. Accordingly, meditation has been shown to improve focus and concentration, which can help to reduce rumination and negative thinking. In addition, meditation has been shown to reduce stress levels and improve energy levels.

One of the key benefits of meditation is that it can help to improve your overall mood. When you are able to focus your thoughts and reduce stress levels, it can help to improve your mood. In addition, meditation can help to improve your sense of well-being. When you are able to reduce stress levels and improve your mood, it can lead to a sense of overall well-being.

If you are looking to improve your mental health, then meditation is a great option. In addition, meditation can be a great way to reduce stress levels and improve your overall mood. If you are looking to improve your mental health, then meditation is a great option.

Meditating for just 13 minutes daily enhanced attention and memory after 8 weeks. The mental health benefits of meditation include better focus and concentration, improved self-awareness and self-esteem, lower levels of stress and anxiety.

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Benefits of Meditation

Meditation trains the brain to achieve sustained focus, and to return to that focus when negative thinking, emotions, and physical sensations intrude. Meditation may not make all the symptoms of depression disappear but will help you manage them. Meditation can also improve physical health by reducing strain on the heart.

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How Do You Meditate ?

• Find somewhere quiet and clear of distractions

• Sit or lie comfortably,

• Close your Eyes,

• Breathe naturally

Focus Your attention on the breath and how the body moves with each inhalation and exhalation.

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How to Beat Depression! Using Meditation

How Long Should You Meditate?

In truth, meditation seems, by all accounts, to be like exercise. Similar to how there is no perfect amount of time to exercise, there is also no perfect amount of time to meditate. With either actual activity or meditation, how much time you really need to be able to challenge yourself, yet not so much as to leave you feeling dispirited or depleted. It is generally recommended that 40 to 45 minutes of meditation per day is adequate.

Mindfulness meditation can also lower the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which helps you feel more relaxed.

Conclusion

“As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all beings.”

Dalai Lama

In the final analysis, choosing how long to meditate or how frequently, remember these standards. In the event that you do, you’ll expand your possibilities by laying out and keeping a normal and important reflection practice. Additionally, even if you only have 10 to 15 minutes a day to devote to meditation, it’s a great start on how to beat depression using meditation. Finally, it’s about how often we sit down to meditate, not how long. So yes, now you have learned how to beat depression using meditation.

Resources : pubmed.gov : time : Psycologytoday : medium