Did you know that more than a billion people around the world have mental health problems? The World Health Organization (WHO) says that mental health problems are getting worse. (Source).
Sensor Tower, a business that analyzes apps, says that the number of people downloading meditation apps rose by 25% during the pandemic.
But most of us don’t really know what meditation can do. We’re going to talk about deep meditation today—not the simple awareness apps, but a real method that can really help you.
The way you think, feel, and live changes when you do deep meditation. Let’s look at five benefits that are backed by science.
What is Deep Meditation?
Meditation that goes deeper than just being aware is called deep meditation. A lot of the time, it comes from big religions that have been around for a long time, like Buddhism.
Deep meditation is different from other types of mindfulness techniques that help reduce stress. For some, it can help them understand their thinking, calm down, and even grow as a person.
There is a real way to deal with stress in the world today: deep meditation. A lot of people who want to find peace meditate. But what if you need to get to a much deeper level? The effects are stronger when you meditate deeply. I’d like to talk more about the science behind it.
What Research Says About Deep Meditation
A lot of experts are interested in how deep meditation changes our brains. Harvard, McGill, and UC Berkeley researchers are all trying to figure out what effect it has. They want to know how mental health is improved by deep meditation.
One project at Harvard is the Meditation Research Program, which wants to find out how advanced meditation works. In order to make these methods better for everyone, that is their goal. Scientists at McGill University have looked into people who do jhanas and other advanced types of meditation.
They’re interested in what goes on in the brain during these states. The main goal is to find out how these deeper routines change people’s lives in ways that last longer than simple stress relief.
5 Benefits of Deep Meditation Backed by Science
States of ecstatic bliss
Deep meditation can make you feel very happy and blessed. Some people say they feel warm and full of light. In these times, you feel more than just happiness; you feel a wave of love wash over you.
Michael Lifshitz from McGill University says that expert meditators have said they have reached states of pure emotional joy. This kind of happiness makes you feel better all around and lessens bad feelings.
A deep look into the mind
Have you ever wished you knew more about what you’re thinking? That’s exactly what deep meditation helps you do. It makes your thoughts clearer and helps you see trends you hadn’t seen before. You can stop bad habits and make better choices because of this.
The Harvard Meditation Research Program found that people who did deep meditation were better able to see their bad thoughts. They were able to let go of negative thoughts and see their troubles in a new way. When you learn more about your mind, you can change how you act around things.
Lessening of Mental Suffering
Mental pain is something that most of us have to deal with. It can be too much, whether it’s worry, stress, or sadness. Deep meditation has been shown to help a lot with getting rid of these bad feelings. Deep meditation is different from normal mindfulness in that it changes how you think about pain and discomfort.
Matthew Sacchet from Harvard says that people who do deep meditation say they have a lot less mental stress. They even say that they feel like they are getting better from mental pain. Studies that show anxiety and depression signs get a lot better after practicing deep meditation.
More creative ideas
Are you having trouble or running out of ideas? Deep meditation might be the key to unlocking your creativity. Your brain changes the way it works when you do deep meditation. This changes the way you think and helps you break out of old habits.
A study at UC Berkeley found that the creative parts of the brain are more active during deep meditation. Dr. Lifshitz also discovered that people who do deep meditation are able to think more freely. They felt freer to think outside the box and could come up with more creative ways to solve problems.
Controlling your emotions
Deep meditation can help you deal with your feelings, which is one of its best benefits. Meditation can help you calm down when you’re feeling stressed, angry, or scared.
Nadia Asparouhova, who went to a meditation retreat, talked about how focusing on her breath and body helped her deal with her nervousness. From being scared, she was able to change her feelings to peace.
These feelings are backed up by research. Researchers have found that when you meditate deeply, your brain moves activity from the front part (which deals with stress) to the back. This means focusing less on your fears and more on the present. (Sources)
When you don’t feel swamped by all of your thoughts and feelings, it’s easier to keep your emotions in check.
How Deep Meditation Differs from Common Practices
A lot of people think of meditation as a way to calm down or deal with worry. For short sessions, apps like Headspace and Calm can be helpful. But deep concentration is not the same at all. This method is more focused, takes more work, and is meant to change the way you think and feel.
For example, researchers at UC Berkeley looked into how deep meditation changes the way the brain works, which can lead to more profound thoughts. Not like short mindfulness lessons, this type of meditation needs time and dedication. But the benefits are life-changing—they give you clarity, lessen your pain, and change how you see yourself.
Deep meditation is for people who want to improve their lives.
People who want more than just stress release should try deep meditation. It’s for people who want changes that last. You could try deep meditation to learn more about yourself or change how you deal with stress.
But not everyone can do deep meditation. People who have been through bad things need to be careful. Based on what Kathryn Devaney from UC Berkeley says, people who have been through stress should first see a therapist.
A meditation teacher who understands pain can help make sure that meditation doesn’t cause bad things to happen. It is important not to rush into advanced techniques. Moving slowly is key.
Final words
Deep meditation has a lot of health benefits. It can help you reach states of bliss, gain deep insights, lessen suffering, be more creative, and handle your feelings better. Deep meditation is different from simple mindfulness techniques because it changes the way you think and feel about the world.
If you want to explore, you might want to take things slowly at first. Find lessons or teachers in your area who can help you. It can open up new doors just to try longer lessons. The possible benefits are worth the work—imagine discovering a way to completely change how you see the world and yourself.
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Sources
- Harvard Meditation Research Program: Harvard Meditation Research
- UC Berkeley Advanced Meditation Studies: UC Berkeley Research
- McGill University Research on Advanced Meditation: McGill Meditation Study
- Personal experiences and practitioner stories: Nadia Asparouhova, Matthew Sacchet, Michael Lifshitz