Blog - Page 2 of 4 - Wellness Through Mindfulness

WHY IS THE BREATH SUCH A GOOD OBJECT TO USE AS AN ANCHOR FOR MEDITATION?

admin blog November 1, 2017November 1, 2017 0 Comment

The breath is a great object to start to practice meditation. It is an external object that we don’t intentionally create when we are open to its natural movement. It is always present and available. No one breath is the same as another breath. Every inhalation and exhalation comes to an end. We don’t tend to personalize a breath and call it our own. In examining the breath we are able to see the true nature of reality. It is always changing and impermanent. Can we also develop the same self-less awareness of the breath for every other object that comes in to our awareness?

– Phil Blustein

WILL WE LIVE FOREVER IF WE MEDITATE?

admin blog October 16, 2017October 2, 2017meditation, mindful blog 0 Comment

Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Telomere length is decreased in chronic stress and depression. Telomere length is important for cell longevity. Scientific studies have demonstrated that meditation may protect telomeres by decreasing stress hormones and by increasing hormones that protect the telomere. If we meditate will we live forever?

IF I MEDITATE WILL I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS?

admin Uncategorized October 13, 2017October 2, 2017meditation, mindful blog, mindfulness meditation 0 Comment

Mindfulness is not about “Freedom from pain and suffering but the freedom to be with pain and suffering.” The purpose of the practice is not to eliminate one’s problem but to develop the skill to be with one’s problems. One will still experience sadness, anger, joy, guilt etc. but with a relationship that lets one see what is happening and be with it with greater acceptance.
– Phil Blustein

HOW IS MINDFULNESS DIFFERENT THAN RELAXATION, CONCENTRATION OR THINKING ABOUT MY PROBLEMS?

admin blog October 9, 2017October 2, 2017breathing, meditation, Q&A, types of meditation 0 Comment

Mindfulness is an active process that directs one to be present in the moment and see the true nature of what one is experiencing with non-reactivity. It is allowing what is present to be held with the acceptance of mindfulness. There is no attempt to ignore, deny or think one’s way to an answer.
– Phil Blustein

WHY DOES MEDITATION WORK

admin blog October 6, 2017October 2, 2017meditation, mindfulness meditation 0 Comment

Functional MRI brain scans have demonstrated increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, insula and anterior cingulate cortex. These areas are important for the executive function of our brain including awareness, concentration, decision making, memory, emotional regulation, coping and self-referencing. The brain’s “fight or flight” centre, the amygdala that is associated with fear and emotion decreases in activity in response to mindfulness. There is a decreased connection between the amygdala and other parts of the brain and increased connection with higher brain areas. There are also structural changes in our brain with thickening of our cortex. Therefore as we meditate we change how our brains work that results in greater calm, loving kindness, compassion, equanimity and self-regulation. As we practice mindfulness ultimately the practice does us!
– Phil Blustein