Transcending Barriers: Explaining The Religious Ties And Answering The Supposed Dangers Of Meditation

As a form of relieving stress, improving productivity, and gaining deeper personal understanding, meditation has been gaining popularity in recent years, now being used by everyone from Yoga practitioners to CEOs of major corporations. But despite its rise in the popular culture, many people still misunderstand, and sometimes even fear and dislike, the idea of meditation. This is due to lack of information or even misinformation spread about the practice. Today, we’ll discuss what meditation really is about and why it transcends the barriers of religion, race, culture, and lifestyle.


What exactly is meditation?

As we previously discussed, meditation is a state of mind wherein it is emptied of whatever may trouble or disturb you, to pause and be at peace with oneself and be calm. By this definition, something as simple as sitting down and relaxing in silence, to something more complex like doing calligraphy, can be considered “meditation.” But the most common practice is that of finding a space where one can be quiet and undisturbed, and simply relaxing and being at peace.
Now, this is where the definition ends (in a simple manner) and the speculation and misinformation begin.


Meditation and religion

Meditation is not a religious practice, and does not denote that you are following a specific religion. However, different religions actually have their own ways of meditation, whether it is acknowledged as such or not.

For example, in the Hindu mantra meditation is very similar to the Christian rosary prayer, with both constantly repeating a specific verse and prayer in a solemn manner.
Judaism’s Qabalah, which is Hebrew for “to receive and reveal” follows a tradition that requires the students to transform their inner selves with the external, assimilating symbols’ characteristics via meditation.

Islamic tradition requires a Muslim to pray at least 5 times a day, during which time they focus and meditate on God by reciting the Qur’an, strengthening the ties between God and man.

And then there’s Buddhism, where Buddha himself, Siddhartha Gautama, is known to have reached enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree. Different variants of Buddhism, such as Zen Buddhism, emphasize the importance of “emptying the mind” in their practice of Zazen, or Zen meditation, wherein the person stays in a seated position similar to Siddhartha, to allow the unconscious mind to be one with the universe.

There are many other religions and variants thereof, with their own versions of traditional meditation, even though it is not formally called as such. But the basic principle is that if it is a solemn practice, that requires some form of spiritual connection, involves either introspection or extrospection, and aims to bring mental peace and calm, it can be classified as a form of meditation.


Meditation is dangerous? Makes you prone to evil influence?

There are some groups of people who fear that the spiritual connections done during meditations make cause the meditating person to be prone to evil influences, whether it be demonic possession, or becoming a portal for evil spirits, or simply tapping into dark desires that lay dormant within. Others fear awakening supernatural powers, like being psychic or opening the third eye. And then there’s the fear of awakening the kundalini, also known as the “serpent spirit” and the root chakra.

We will discuss these dangers in a future post, but right now, all you need to know is this: these are all merely hurdles, distractions, and possible fears for your meditation session. As with all kinds of meditation, focus is key, and to lose focus due to these distractions and fears is to hinder your meditation progress.

Also, remember that meditation induces certain brainwave patterns, and each one has side-effects if there is an imbalance in the amount produced.  Included in these side-effects are seeing visions and hallucinations, experiencing feelings of dread and fear, as well as a gripping sense of anxiety. All of which may be attributed to the supposed dangers of meditation that are being spread by those who have had meditation experiences that have gone astray.

As with all things, focus and understanding are keys to achieving a fruitful meditation experience. Binaural beats can help with this as it regulates and induces the right amounts of brainwaves to enhance the meditation experience. Try it out with this binaural beats track for spiritual meditation, which will quiet the mind and reduce if not entirely eliminate the risks of meditation.

Benefits of Binaural Beats for Anxiety Treatment

Many things in our lives are uncertain. For many, dealing with this uncertainty is normal, and doesn’t really affect that much. However, there are those whose feelings about uncertainty get amplified: At best, it is moderate worry and unease, at worst it can be crippling fear and panic. These are the characteristics of anxiety disorders, it is a serious issue that many people face today. This is where binaural beats can be of help.


What exactly is anxiety, and anxiety disorders?

Simply defined, anxiety is a human emotion that people experience when faced with situations and moments of uncertainty, like a very difficult life decision, a critical problem at work, a difficult exam in school, or deciding on the course of a relationship. These are just a few examples, but there are other, smaller ones that may also trigger anxiety. As mentioned above, most people who deal with this can do so normally, but those with anxiety disorders may find feel so much anxiety that it disrupts their capability to have and live a normal life. So the main goal of any treatment to be employed is to lower the anxiety levels to normal, thus returning normal mental function and the ability to go on with their day-to-day lives.


Examples of anxiety disorders

1. Panic disorder – very unpredictable, panic disorders can strike without warning, and may include physical symptoms like chest pains and palpitations, accompanied by difficulty in breathing and sweating. 
2. General anxiety disorder – similar to panic disorder, and may sometimes lead to it. It entails exaggerated worry about even the smallest things.
3. Social anxiety disorder -  an introspective anxiety disorder, this involves being hyper self-conscious about being judged, mocked, criticized, and ridiculed by others, which affects their responses to social situations or everyday actions. 
4. Phobias – certain fears that involve specific objects or situations, usually at a disproportionate level causing impractical reactions.

These are just general examples of anxiety disorders. Generally, these will cause everything from the mental (sleeping problems, excessive sweating, being unable to be calm and at peace) to the physical (palpitations and breathing issues, nausea, headaches, muscle tension, numbness, or tingling) in varying degrees, along with the feelings of panic and dread. So you can imagine how a disorder affects the victim so much that normal situations become much more complicated and difficult for them to deal with.


Binaural beats as a treatment

As previously discussed, on the benefits of binaural beats is the ability make the listener feel relaxed, calm, and have peace of mind. This is done by affecting the specific brainwaves whose domains involve relaxation, in addition to the audio therapy brought about by the tones themselves. Alpha waves (at 8-13hz) in particular, whose spheres of influence include body and mind relaxation, and Delta waves (0-4hz) whose domains are that of sleep, healing, and involuntary bodily functions, are examples of brainwaves that are stoked by binaural beats to achieve relaxing effects. A good balance of all the brainwaves (Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, Theta, and so on) is the key to achieving the desired effect when using binaural beats as a tool to aid in dealing with anxiety.

There have been many scientific studies and research groups conducted to seek the validity of the use of binaural beats as anxiety and depression treatments, and virtually of them succeeded in showing results in varying degrees.

For instance, a study done by Peniston and Kulkosky in 1989 showed positive results in dealing with anxiety from alcoholics, showing only a 20% relapse rate for an experimental group who were regularly exposed to 20 minute sessions of Alpha and Theta binaural beats, versus an 80% relapse rate for a control group who were sent to a regular 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program.

Another study from the Alternative Therapy Health & Medicine in 2001 used binaural beats to treat people with mild anxiety, five times a week over a whole month. Patients who received the treatment showed a significant reduction in their anxiety, and have been able to perform normal everyday functions at an increased capacity.

Many more studies have been conducted; these are just a couple as examples.


How to use binaural beats for anxiety treatment

Using binaural beats for anxiety treatment, at home, is quite easy, as we previously discussed here. But some conditions, when met, can make the experience much better. Specifically…

1. Prepare a relaxing area for the listener – a room with little noise, a comfortable chair or bed, and even aromatic candles or incense can be very conducive to relaxation and anxiety reduction.
2. Use the proper audio equipment – some binaural beats tracks don’t require headphones, but most do, as this is how binaural beats work, by directing two different tones, one in each ear. So make sure you have the right audio equipment depending on the track you’ll use. 
3. Have the right binaural beats track – certain tracks will have specific functions. Make sure to get tracks that specifically deal with anxiety and depression. And make sure that these tracks are of a good bitrate quality: a lower bitrate has lower yield and effects.
4. Do it consistently – binaural beats therapy, like any other form of therapy, is not a one-hit magic pill. While the effects of tracks can be potent, it has to be done consistently, like how it was done in the scientific studies mentioned above. Devote the time for the treatment, and the benefits will come in spades!

Here’s an example of a binaural beats track for anxiety and depression, which you can use for yourself or for a friend who needs it.

Many more can be found in our binaural beats music store here:  http://brainwavepowermusic.com/the-music-store

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Group Meditation Is The Untapped Team Building Activity To Increase Productivity

It has been shown that meditation can improve business productivity, as we discussed in a previous blog post. This is done by decreasing stress, improving focus, and relaxing the mind and body so they can be rejuvenated. But what is done individually, by business owners, executives, managers, and employees, to improve their productivity, can also be done in a group, which will have a different dynamic, but increase the benefits even more.

Why a group?

There is a saying. “Surround yourself with people with the same goals as you.” This is because any activity done in a group that is able to support one another, through their actions and energies, yields more results. Just like an ant trying to lift a rock alone, versus a group of ants working in unison to lift the same rock.

But you might be asking: meditation is not a physical activity, so how will doing it in a group give better results?

Have you ever gone to a concert, or a sporting event, and every time the band plays a really good song, or your home team scores a critical shot, you feel uplifted by the sheer energy of the crowd? Many people refer to this as the “electricity” of the crowd, or the “vibe” of the crowd, just making the experience all the more amplified, versus watching the concert or the game at home alone.

The same principles apply with group meditation. When you're with the group, with the same goals, the same purpose, you will feel the vibrations from the crowd amplify your own, and improving the experience. Not only that, doing it with the group let's you share the experience with them, which results in a better bond forming with the people involved. And it is this that can improve your business and take it to the next level.

How to set a group meditation session

The first thing that needs to be done is to determine a suitable size for the group, and the right venue for them. If the group is too small, then the meditation session might not be amplified enough. Too big, and it can be difficult to conduct and control, especially if there are members who might not be there for the right reasons.

A good way is this: if you or the company you work for is small, around 15-20 people, include everyone. If it is big, meditation groups can be the employee teams themselves, with the team leader or manager being the meditation conductor.

A small business, like a cafe or a restaurant, can use the main floor venue as the meditation area by pushing aside the chairs and tables and making enough space. Not only does this save money and time, it also gives the staff the idea that their own place of work is not just for work, but can be a place of sanctuary and peace, a place to call home if need be. If it is a big company, a conference room can be used. In fact, it is highly advisable for businesses that will regularly use meditation to devote a room specifically for meditation, where individuals or groups can go to and just meditate.

Next step is to decide on a goal. Is the meditation to simply provide relaxation? Is it to focus on a particular goal? Is it to promote inter-personal dynamics? Is it to be introspective in order to be a better employee and team member? This will also determine which kind of meditation for business you can use for your session.

Once the goal is set up, determine who will lead the meditation session. As a business owner, manager, or team leader, it is good if you know how to meditate, as this will help in leading a group meditation session. As an employee, you can volunteer to take the lead and show initiative even if your position is not the highest in the team or company. Just be sure that whoever will lead the group meditation has experience in meditation.

Finally, invite the people who will be involved ahead of time, explaining the details of the meditation session, and to make sure they arrive prepared (perhaps they will need their own cushion or have not done meditation before; include a primer in the email, like a short description of what it is.) This will make sure that they enter the venue with the right idea in mind, and not be surprised or taken aback by what they will see.

From there, conducting the meditation is very similar to the steps of the different kinds of meditation for business, or any meditation method you choose. Set up each employee's space, give a brief and solemn talk about the purpose of the session, and then begin. One is leading the actions, like calling for proper inhales and exhales at the properly timed cues, or leading the mantra for the group to follow.

Meditation in a quiet place is good, but adding a speaker system to play a binaural beats track for meditation can also increase the meditation's potency. Listen to this binaural beats meditation track for motivation and success and give it a try on your next meditation session! 

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Meditation Improves Business Productivity

Many people often associate meditation with spirituality, finding inner peace and achieving nirvana, and only done by those following a certain religion, or a practitioner of a far-eastern martial art. It is so old fashioned, that it’s something that no one in the modern world has time for, right? Well that couldn’t be further from the truth, because science has shown that meditation has its place in modern society, and one such place is, as we will be discussing, so unlikely that those not in the know might not even expect it: Business.


What is meditation?

Depending on your source, meditation may have different meanings. But each has one thing in common. Meditation is a state of mind wherein it is emptied of whatever may trouble or disturb you, to pause and be at peace with oneself and be calm. Contrary to popular belief, meditation is not an action: it is a state of mind and awareness; often we can see someone trimming some plants, doing calligraphy, or some other similar act, and still be meditating just the same as someone who is in a lotus position in a garden. But the latter is the common image and way of performing meditation.


How does it help me in business/work?

The main benefits of meditation for business, both for employer and employee are very valuable. In fact, meditation, as it was discovered by the Harvard Business School, and INSEAD, Europe’s top business school, is one of the two most effective business tools for executives and employees (the other being intuition.) Meditation affects the individual, going up to the team, and all the way to the entire business organization, all the while positively influencing each branch to bring overall results.

Meditation actually helps solve the four key components for a successful business, namely:

1. Coming up with, and adhering to a clear vision of the business’ goals
2. To be inspired and innovative in the way they provide their product or service to the market
3. Proper leadership
4. Solid teamwork

And it does so by doing the following:


Benefits of meditation

1. Stress relief – one of the things that can bog down a person’s productivity the most is stress. Stress caused by overworking, or anxiety about deadlines, can compound the problems further, bogging down the business engine even more. And stress can actually affect the person physically, causing loss of energy, slower thinking, and even other health issues. Meditation relieves stress and rejuvenates the mind to be able to do what needs to be done.
2. Improved focus and creativity – stress in work is caused by many things, and one of these is being unable to solve problems. Meditation helps this by calming the mind down, emptying it of unnecessary thoughts, and allowing the person to be mentally and emotionally well enough to focus on the problems at hand. Being creative allows the members of the business to be able to solve problems faster and more efficiently, leading to success which will provide boosts in morale and lead to even more solutions being thought of.
3. Better mental and physical health – the rigors of work and the stress that it causes can affect a person’s mental and physical well-being, from anxiety and insomnia to heart ailments and complications. Some employees have even been known to develop clinical depression! This can cause problems at work ranging from inability to achieve targets, to absences, to bad relationships with co-workers, which all lead to loss of productivity. Meditation calms the mind down, resets the heart rate to a healthier level, and reduces the risks of physical and mental problems. 
4. Better employee teamwork and relationships – staff members who meditate, whether individually or together, become more calm and easier to work with, due to their relaxed, peaceful state. This leads to better teamwork, which is critical in any business venture. Not only that, a good demeanor leads to people respecting each other better, with employers being able to trust their employees and employees being more motivated to deliver for their employers. 

What’s the science behind this?

Some may think that this is nothing more than some new-age idea embraced by some businesses as a fad. But rest assured that, if big companies like Google use it, there is a science behind it. And there is!

Our previous blog posts talked about brainwave patterns and the benefits of brainwave therapy like binaural beats. There’re Alpha Waves, which govern the brain’s cognitive, creative, and problem solving abilities, Beta Waves, which govern the brain’s focus, fight or flight response, and logic, and Delta Waves, which control the body’s healing capabilities and involuntary processes (like heart rate and breathing.)

Being able to produce the said brainwaves in the right amounts and right combinations will allow the mind to reap all of its benefits, and one way to do this is… yes, meditation.


Basics of meditation

There are many ways to meditate, and we will discuss the different methods in a future post soon, but for now, here are some basics to get you started.

First, find a plane surface you can sit straight on. Close your eyes, try to relax, and breathe slowly, in and out. To help empty your mind, focus on your own breathing, and nothing else. If you get distracted or are unable to focus, block it out, and keep your focus on your breathing. Do this for as long as needed until you feel better and relieved.

To increase your chances of being able to focus, the venue is important. If you have your own office at work, lock the doors, put a no disturb sign, close the blinds, and sit on the floor. If you don’t, find a room in the workplace where you can be alone, and do the same. If you’re a business owner, devoting a room for meditation can help your employees do this.

And finally, using binaural beats for meditation to motivate and success definitely helps. Try to listen to this track and it will definitely make you more relaxed and focused on your meditation.

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