Why Is Spirituality Important?
There is a growing body of evidence indicating that spiritual practices are associated with better health and wellbeing for many reasons, including with the way our brain-mind functions. There are 4 basic brain wave frequencies, alpha, beta, delta and theta and each correlates with a specific state of consciousness. Meditation, neurofeedback, and spiritual experiences have all been shown to help people control their brain waves more efficiently for better health and a more positive experience of life.
Contemplative practice is good for you. They direct your attention to a specific focus—often an inward-looking reflection or concentration. Many spiritual traditions have a long history of using contemplative practices to increase compassion, empathy, and attention, as well as quiet the mind.
- Meditation can induce feelings of calm and clear-headedness as well as improve concentration and attention. Brain researcher Richard Davidson’s research shows that meditation increases the brain’s gray matter density, which can reduce sensitivity to pain, enhance your immune system, help you regulate difficult emotions, and relieve stress. Mindfulness meditation in particular has been proven helpful for people with depression and anxiety, cancer, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, chronic fatigue and heart disease.
- Prayer may elicit the relaxation response, along with feelings of hope, gratitude, and compassion -which have a positive effect on overall wellbeing.
- Yoga is a centuries-old spiritual practice that aims to create a sense of union within the practitioner which has been found to reduce inflammation and stress, decrease depression and anxiety and lower blood pressure.
- Journaling is another, often overlooked, contemplative practice that can help you become more aware of your inner life.
Finding one’s spiritual path can add immeasurably to one’s well being:
- A spiritual community can improve your life.
- Spiritual strength can help you overcome hardships.
- Spiritual people make healthier choices.
- Spirituality may help you live longer.
- Forgiveness is good medicine.
References
www.brainpickings.org; www.psychologytoday.com
www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/…wellbeing
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