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I’m told that practicing meditative techniques is the equivalent of a physical workout for the brain. The idea is appealing and yet it’s so hard to make it stick as a habit. I know the science behind the practice and I’ve studied countless research papers on the benefits to health and wellbeing and yet most guided meditations fail to hit their mark.
As soon as I find a nice soothing voice to listen to, the guide begins to veer off topic into religious or spiritual practices. What if I don’t want to learn about Buddhist monks or swear allegiance to whichever swami has been fortunate enough to devote their lives to the teachings of a particular faith?
My intention is to achieve optimal health and a vast reduction in my responses to stress, not to become the next Olympic level guru.
With such sound scientific principles behind the art of relaxation, it makes no sense at all to insist on tying meditation to a specific religion. To achieve a state of quiet tranquillity may take time and practice, but harnessing your brainwaves is so beneficial as to make it all worthwhile. Why does it require the support of a faith?
The Science Behind the Practice.
Researchers monitoring the brain scans of meditators have identified five different frequency ranges, some of which have the potential to…