Meditation to prevent premature aging

Praveen Vikkath

Meditation is the process of immersing completely in the nature and becoming one with it by experiencing silence in the inner most recess of the heart. In the depths of meditation everything else vanishes and the only things that remain are the consciousness and our breath. Once we realize that this consciousness and breath are also a part of the nature, we become the nature. Neither space nor time would then exist and we would become just a small drop in the stream of eternity. In the absence of thoughts, there is no more stress, nor strain. This state of living in the ‘now’ or the present makes some beneficial changes to not only the mind, but also the body.

Hormonal changes:

DHEA is a hormone that helps the body remain young and it subsequently enhances the sexual energy, memory, and agility of the individual. According to a study published by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, lack of this hormone can invite early aging and subsequent fatigue. Along with this, when there is a hike in the production of Cortisol (the stress hormone) premature aging becomes very much evident. The study also finds that  when one is relaxed via meditation, there is natural tendency for the enhanced regulation of hormones like DHEA, Melatonin and Serotonin. Thus a person who frequently engages in meditation is more relaxed and would remain young for a longer time.

Osho cites the example of Buddha to explain that meditation enhances the youthfulness of body and mind. He asks if there is picture of Buddha being old and explains that it was because of frequent meditations that Buddha was immersed in.

There have studies that proved that practicing meditation can slow down the process of aging, keeping the individuals ten years younger. Various chemicals that are produces in the body are regulated when one practices meditation and relaxes his or her body and mind. This not only reduces stress, but also enhances memory, health, intelligence, and energy.

Stress makes us older than what we actually are and this can be attributed to the increased secretion of the stress hormones. This problem could effectively be solved with the help of meditation and consequently, the individual would remain younger for a longer period. There are certain styles of meditations that induce sleep and thereby help you overcome the problem of insomnia. Migraine and sinusitis can also be treated effectively via meditation. Along with concentration, meditation would also help individuals improve their concentration and the positive energy thus acquired can resist cancers and tumors to a great extent. Children suffering from ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia can also benefit from meditation.

It is important that one understand the various styles of meditation before choosing a particular style of meditation.