Way to a better life

TheSun explores the practice of meditation, that its followers say enhances mental, physical and even spiritual wellbeing

KUALA LUMPUR: Personal well-being, quality interpersonal relationships and close interaction with society are among the benefits said to be derived from meditation.

The practice has always been part and parcel of Eastern culture, as well as religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism, which adds a touch of spirituality to it.

Today, it is gaining acceptance in Western society, with many proponents advocating its practice.

But what exactly is meditation, and does it really bring the benefits touted by those who practise it?

To answer those questions, theSun sought out two researchers – Shrikant Sahoo and B.K. Ambika (pix) of the Brahma Kumaris movement – who had gone on a decades-long journey to unearth its secrets.

It was a wide-ranging undertaking. Apart from indulging in the practice themselves so that they could get a first-hand experience, they also started an internal research among followers of the Brahma Kumaris in 1995, a research that would eventually last 15 years.

To further strengthen their findings, they spent the following 10 years collaborating with various research institutions in India. They spoke to scientists familiar with and are firm believers of meditation and spirituality, and to strike a balance, they also consulted those who come short of laughing it off as hearsay.

Now, a quarter century later, Shrikant and Ambika said they have found no reason to dismiss the practice.

To put it simply, meditating means sitting still for any period of time – from minutes to hours – and doing breathing exercises. Some would add that the mind must be focused as well.

“From the time we started, we have tried to apply scientific methods,” Shrikant told theSun in a recent interview.

“When we spoke to scientists at the various institutions in India, we asked them to conduct their own research so the outcomes would not be biased,” he said.

What they found was that meditation has many added benefits, that people could actually see change in terms of personal development, followed by inter-personal relationships as well as their personal interaction with society and, finally, the world itself.

“First of all, meditation requires that your mind is focused,” Shrikant explained.

“With greater focus, you are able to do many things without allowing negative thoughts to take over you.”

With meditation, he said, one would also be able to come to terms with stress and anxiety.

“When you meditate, you are in a state of mind where you just breathe in and out, taking stress away from you. Once that happens, you come out of the meditative state in a relaxed and calm state,” he added.

Besides that, Shrikant said, there is a correlation between meditation and the state of happiness and well-being.

“There is a part of the brain that fills up with joy and another that brings self-awareness. When we mediate, we get these parts to work together to put us in a state of happiness,” he said. “It also helps you to challenge your fears, cope with difficult situations, and to concentrate to bring joy and happiness.”

Ambika pointed out that anyone – from CEOs to farmers – can practise meditation.

“All you need is to find the time, even as short as one minute, to sit down and focus.”

She said meditation could also change the lives of practitioners because of its intrinsic nature to get the mind to concentrate.

“Meditation can lead to a change in lifestyle, behaviour and habits. It helps to improve relationship with family and friends, and bring harmony within the work environment,” Ambika added.

– Shrikant Sahoo