Dusseldorf, Germany (dpa) - Who doesn't know the daily
aggravations brought on by work, relationships and the pursuit of
one's own needs, and who hasn't sometimes wished for more peace and
quiet?
Meditation is one possible means of achieving them. Lutz Hertel, a
psychologist at a German wellness association in Dusseldorf, is
convinced of one of its effects: "We see a lot more value in
meditation than in massages or wellness packs. When meditating,
you're active, which is the opposite of most other wellness
applications." And the effects are longer lasting.
Scientific studies conducted by Germany's professional association
of internists in Wiesbaden have shown that meditation combined with
breathing techniques can have a positive effect on minor to high
blood pressure. In addition to physical advantages, it also can
affect spiritual wellbeing.
"Meditation literally means taking measure and orientating
yourself," said Gerhard Tiemeyer of Germany's society for alternative
medicine in Hanover.
Meditation has many ways of reaching the desired result, from
sitting still to breathing exercises and from dance to movement. In
all the techniques, the brain must be active, concentrating on one
word, one sound, one image - something it can use like crutches to
hold random thoughts still.
People searching for a suitable personal method of meditation
should ask themselves what they like to do best. Mantra meditation
and sound meditation work using sound and speech. People who like
movement can try qigong, tai chi or particular principles of yoga.
"Yoga is not only about moving the body, but is also a form of
self-recognition that integrates breathing and body awareness with
the intellect or spirit of the body," said Anke Rebetje of the German
association for yoga instructors in Goettingen. And it's suitable for
everyone.
"In yoga we train the physical condition for meditation through
asanas, which is a yoga body position," said Rebetje, adding that
meditation is about disengaging, while yoga is a method of self-
exploration. "In the end the point is to let everything go."
The duration of each technique varies. Initially, 10 minutes a day
is sufficient, said Tiemeyer. "Meditation is something that when
starting out, you just have to get used to, but it's not something
you should feel forced to do. It's counterproductive to do it with
iron discipline for two hours a day."
Rebetje also considers the time factor irrelevant.
"I can understand the essence of life within two minutes or I can
take 20 years or more and still not understand," she said. Therefore,
in the end it's not important how long it takes until meditation
works. It's the quality of the insight that one achieves and the
transformation in one's habits which is important, said Teimeyer.
Meditation results in a few minutes of calm and separation from
stress, but people who don't change their everyday lives can meditate
until they are blue in the face and it won't make any difference, she
said.
Copyright 2008 dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH