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== ध्यानस्य परिणामाः ॥ Effects of Meditation ==

== ध्यानस्य परिणामाः ॥ Effects of Meditation ==

Contemporary research does suggest, if not establish, that practice of meditation may indeed produce some cognitive, emotive and conative effects that are not only interesting in themselves but also have positive applications for one’s health and well-being.<ref name=":1" />

Contemporary research suggests that practice of meditation may indeed produce some cognitive, emotive and conative effects that are not only interesting in themselves but also have positive applications for one’s health and well-being.<ref name=":1" />

=== Spiritual development ===

=== Spiritual Development ===

Yoga’s ultimate goal of kaivalya is linked with spiritual liberation and transformation of the person. Kristeller and Rikhye (2008) refer to two separate aspects relating to the effects of meditation on spiritual development.  

Yoga’s ultimate goal of kaivalya is linked with spiritual liberation and transformation of the person. In a research on Meditative traditions and contemporary pyschology, the authors Kristeller and Rikhye (2008) refer to two separate aspects relating to the effects of meditation on spiritual development.  

* those experiences that are accessible within a normal range of consciousness

* experiences that are accessible within a normal range of consciousness

* altered states encompassing mystical, psychic or paranormal effects” (p. 520).

* altered states encompassing mystical, psychic or paranormal effects

The link of meditation to health is obvious if we connect meditation with spiritual development. However, the main problem is defining spirituality and its identifying criteria.<ref name=":1" />

In fact, it is stated that the link of meditation to health is obvious when meditation is connected with spiritual development. However, the main problem is defining spirituality and its identifying criteria.<ref name=":1" />

=== Cognitive Effects ===

=== Cognitive Effects ===

Much of information processing cognitive activity goes on at the nonconscious subliminal level and involves various parts of the brain. Meditation involves focused attention. Further it also disengages the normal, habitual attentional processes such as scanning and analyzing so that the person can cultivate different kinds of engagement. This kind of disengagement from the usual and cultivation of new forms of engagement, as Kristeller and Rikhye (2008) point out, may be responsible for improved cognitive functions following meditation.

Much of information processing cognitive activity goes on at the nonconscious subliminal level and involves various parts of the brain. Meditation involves focused attention. Further it also disengages the normal, habitual attentional processes such as scanning and analyzing so that the person can cultivate different kinds of engagement. This kind of disengagement from the usual and cultivation of new forms of engagement may be responsible for improved cognitive functions following meditation.

There is evidence for improved memory, learning ability, and cognitive flexibility with practice of meditation. A meta-analysis of 34 studies related to cognition and meditation by Sedlmeier et al. (2008) support the notion that meditation may enhance cognitive skills involved in tasks of concentration and memory. Again, in the same analysis, six studies with intelligence test measures also show a positive effect with meditation.<ref name=":1" />

There is evidence for improved memory, learning ability and cognitive flexibility with practice of meditation. A meta-analysis of 34 studies related to cognition and meditation support the notion that meditation may enhance cognitive skills involved in tasks of concentration and memory. Again, in the same analysis, six studies with intelligence test measures also show a positive effect with meditation.<ref name=":1" />

=== Conative Effects ===

=== Conative Effects ===

In the Indian tradition, consciousness has two fundamental aspects, knowing (cit) and being (sat). Consciousness at the core is seen as undifferentiated unity of knowing and being. This is the rationale behind the Upaniṣadic statement, “to know Brahman is to be Brahman.” Yoga and meditation are believed to lead a person to the pure and primordial state of consciousness where there is no differentiation between knowing and being. A highly developed meditative state is one in which knowing has a reflexive relationship with being with the result that there would be no gap between one’s cognition and conduct, belief, and behavior. If this indeed is the case, meditation would have important therapeutic implications made possible by its expected behavioral effects. Consonance between cognition and conduct would have the consequence of a conflict-free mind, a state of positive mental health. In such states, knowing becomes a transformational experience for the person.

In the Indian tradition, consciousness has two fundamental aspects, knowing (chit) and being (sat). Consciousness at the core is seen as undifferentiated unity of knowing and being. This is the rationale behind the Upaniṣadic statement, “to know Brahman is to be Brahman.” Yoga and meditation are believed to lead a person to the pure and primordial state of consciousness where there is no differentiation between knowing and being. A highly developed meditative state is one in which knowing has a reflexive relationship with being with the result that there would be no gap between one’s cognition and conduct, belief and behavior. If this indeed is the case, meditation would have important therapeutic implications made possible by its expected behavioral effects. Consonance between cognition and conduct would have the consequence of a conflict-free mind, a state of positive mental health. In such states, knowing becomes a transformational experience for the person.

Several of health problems arise from our failure to put into practice what one knows. Most of the debilitating addictions such as alcoholism, smoking, and drug abuse are due to such a failure. Raina et al. (2001) reported results that showed significantly greater recovery rate of individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome following yoga treatment compared to physical exercise.<ref name=":1" />

Several of health problems arise from one's failure to put into practice what one knows. Most of the weakening addictions such as alcoholism, smoking and drug abuse are due to such a failure. A study in 2001 reported results that showed significantly greater recovery rate of individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome following yoga treatment compared to physical exercise.<ref name=":1" />

=== Emotional Effects ===

=== Emotional Effects ===

The practice of yoga, is generally believed to lead to an equipoise and emotionally balanced state of the mind. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that meditation may lead to reduction in anxiety and stress, and help those suffering from stress-related ailments like hypertension.

The practice of yoga, is believed to lead to an equipoise and emotionally balanced state of mind. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that meditation may lead to reduction in anxiety and stress, and help those suffering from stress-related ailments like hypertension.

There are a number of studies that seem to suggest that meditation has the effect of reducing stress. In one study the subjects were outpatients at the K.E.M. Hospital in Bombay aged between 15 and 50 years, who were diagnosed as suffering from stress and anxiety. They were randomly assigned to two groups. The clinical assessments, as well as psychological testing, were done by those who did not know to which group the subjects belonged. The results showed statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups. The experimental group improved significantly in comparison to the control group. There was a significant reduction in the anxiety scores of patients in the experimental group and not in the control group.

There are a number of studies that seem to suggest that meditation has the effect of reducing stress. In one study the subjects were outpatients at the K.E.M. Hospital in Bombay aged between 15 and 50 years, who were diagnosed as suffering from stress and anxiety. They were randomly assigned to two groups. The clinical assessments, as well as psychological testing, were done by those who did not know to which group the subjects belonged. The results showed statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups. The experimental group improved significantly in comparison to the control group. There was a significant reduction in the anxiety scores of patients in the experimental group and not in the control group.

There are also a number of published reports suggesting that practice of meditation helps to reduce stress, anxiety, tension and depression in different job settings.<ref name=":1" />

 

There are also a number of published reports suggesting that practice of meditation helps to reduce stress, anxiety, tension, and depression in different job settings.<ref name=":1" />

== References ==

== References ==