Meditation and Cancer
In November 2014 Canadian researchers reported that there are changes to DNA after just a 3 month period of practicing regular meditation This shouldn't really be surprising to us as other genetic studies involving lifestyle behavior patterns have shown shifts in multiple sites of the genetic material
What is interesting is that the changes noted in this study happen to be associated with longevity...that is those with cancer who were meditating for this brief period of time showed signs of increased longevity The tacit conclusion is that meditation can be good food for us and that taking time regularly as part of our daily schedule can have life sustaining benefits
Things to Know About Meditation
Meditation is a tool to quiet the mind You don't need any special gadgetry or tapes Just the ability to sit somewhere and close your eyes
You will have lots and lots of thoughts when you begin That's normal That's why you're meditating You can have 3 and only 3 types of experiences during meditation
Lots and lots of thoughts As above this is normal Recognize that these thoughts are meaningless and are releases of pentup stress which is good to be relieved of Whenever you find yourself on thoughts just gently bring yourself back to your technique, mantra or SoHum or the breath Whatever is your chosen vehicle simply return to the vehicle If you chose not to go back to the vehicle then you've decided to stop meditating
Fall asleep This just means that the mindbody needs rest
Experience silence Of course as soon as you become aware that your mind is silent, you're no longer silent These periods of silence between thoughts become longer and longer in the growth of meditation
To gain benefits from this type of behavior like any health promoting pattern of behavior means to do it and be pretty consistent with it It's been shown that DNA changes occur immediately but that the real changes occur after about 8 weeks in laboratory animals
Link for the cancer article http://goo.gl/v2tMJT
