Ilchi Lee Meditation Techniques

Conventional wisdom dictates that happiness is a key component in fulfillment and awakening, and now researchers at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Arizona are reporting that it may even lead to a longer lifespan.

In a study, the scientists interviewed the caretakers of 184 orangutans, asking them about the simians' well-being, daily moods, achievements and social interaction. Additionally, researchers asked the experts whether they would be happy if they were in the monkey's place.

The scientists found that the orangutans who were reported as being the happiest by their caretakers were much more likely to have lived an additional seven years when compared to their more depressed counterparts.

"Already we have shown that certain personality traits linked to happiness share the same genetic basis in humans and chimpanzees. Studying these relationships across a wide range of species could yield fascinating insights into the evolutionary bases of happiness, depression and a host of other psychological characteristics," said lead researcher Alexander Weiss.

Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee believes that practices like meditation can inspire happiness and awakening in individuals who wish to achieve a higher state of being.  

People who looked at this item also looked at…

• Meditation may help kids get to sleep
• Researchers read brain signals to predict actions
• Smeal College ranked for high brain potential offerings
• Individuals who seek peace may find it high above the earth
• “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” is a relaxation classic

Related items

• Individuals may enjoy meditating in nature’s wonderland
• Individuals who seek peace may find it high above the earth
• Committing violent acts causes changes in the brain
• A home-cooked meal may help people achieve best holistic health
• There may be no better place for meditation than in nature

Meditation is an art and an exercise that many people often use on the path to enlightenment. It can make one feel at peace with the world and themselves, and requires individuals to leave behind the ego. 

This is the message of 311's song, Inner Light Spectrum, which discusses how it is often difficult to find harmony and the importance of swallowing one's pride during the process.

The song also stresses acceptance of how things are, so that one can see clearer and make the heart "pure."

"When I wipe the sleep from my eyes / Will my fondest dream please come true / Crush my heart with a hammer / Make a purer one," singer S.A. croons at the beginning of the song. "There is one thing I will say on life / We are livin' yeah / Let it flow / Cuz it won't stop."

Inner Light Spectrum is a song from 311's Transistor album, which was originally released in 1997 and has been certified as platinum for selling more than one million copies. Throughout the album, 311 sings about meditation and finding one's truth path while overcoming obstacles.  

Related items

• School of Seven Bells’ Half-Asleep speaks of letting thoughts pass through
• “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” is a relaxation classic
• Sigur Ros provides the perfect background for meditation
• Black Sheep stresses importance of family values, compassion
• A Beautiful Mind expresses the fight over inner and outer desires

Individuals who had a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease significantly cut their risk of heart problems after nine years of practicing meditation, according to researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

In a randomized, controlled trial, a team of scientists examined the effects of meditative practices on more than 200 African American participants with an average age of 59 and who had narrowing arteries in their heart.

They found that the meditating group nearly cut their risk of heart attack in half, lowered their blood pressure and experienced less mental stress, compared with a control group.

"This study is an example of the contribution of a lifestyle intervention – stress management – to the prevention of cardiovascular disease in high-risk patients," said Theodore Kotchen, M.D., co-author of the study.

Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee has recommended meditation for years as a way to gain enlightenment, fulfillment and spiritual growth. Results of the study suggest that it may also have major physical health benefits. Individuals with a high risk for heart disease may want to consider beginning a meditation practice to help strengthen their bodies and minds.  

People who looked at this item also looked at…

• Healthy living and meditation contribute to personal growth

Related items

• New study demonstrates power of meditation
• Meditation may improve brain potential
• Meditation strengthens connection between body and mind
• Brain Education may help decision-making skills
• Holistic health for eyes and brain includes adequate vitamin C

Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia tested holistic stress and anger management techniques on a group of inner-city high school students and found that regular exercise and meditation greatly improved mental and physical health.

A team of scientists introduced the students to meditation practices, gave them pedometers to track their activity levels and educated the kids on anger management.

They found that these interventions helped lower blood pressure levels, reduce stress and anger and improve attendance. In students who meditated, a significant change in behavior and performance was observed.

"When you come to school with a stressed mind, you can't do as well. The benefit of calming your mind is preparing it to learn," said physiologist Vernon Barnes, study author.

Philosopher Ilchi Lee says that meditation, good health and spirituality are all key to attaining personal growth and enlightenment. Individuals who take the responsibility to tap into their brain power and control it to embrace positivity and peace and reject negativity and hate may take the human race one step closer to universal peace.  

People who looked at this item also looked at…

• Authors recommend eating, playing, meditating for spiritual growth
• Meditation strengthens connection between body and mind
• Committing violent acts causes changes in the brain
• Meditation used as therapy for better relationships and personal growth
• Perception and memory largely reliant on brain potential

Related items

• Authors recommend eating, playing, meditating for spiritual growth
• Meditation used as therapy for better relationships and personal growth
• Meditation may help kids get to sleep
• Meditation may improve brain potential
• Meditation strengthens connection between body and mind

In an article on the Huffington Post's blog, authors Ed and Deb Shapiro tell those seeking enlightenment and personal growth that it's simply a matter of exploring, not taking one's self too seriously and practicing meditation.

The Shapiros gave their advice recently to a crowd at a bookstore in New York City.

When they refer to "eating," they talk about taking in as much of the information on spirituality, healing and well-being as possible. A hunger for truth may be satiated by obtaining truths that give us substantial food for thought, the Shapiros said.

They also encouraged the audience to "play," or to have a spirit that is light and not too serious. This can help the mind stay flexible, forgiving and able to laugh at our human foibles.

"We need to dance, sing and even be fools, enjoying the exquisiteness of awakening," the Shapiros wrote.

Meditation is their third piece of advice, which they describe as turning on a light in a dark room. The practice involves looking within one's self for the answers while letting go of drama and ego.

The Shapiros' thoughts on life fall in line with those of author and philosopher Ilchi Lee, who believes that meditation has the potential to lead to enlightenment and peace on Earth.  

People who looked at this item also looked at…

• Healthy living and meditation contribute to personal growth
• Meditation strengthens connection between body and mind
• Committing violent acts causes changes in the brain
• Meditation used as therapy for better relationships and personal growth
• Perception and memory largely reliant on brain potential

Related items

• Healthy living and meditation contribute to personal growth
• Meditation used as therapy for better relationships and personal growth
• Meditation may help kids get to sleep
• Meditation may improve brain potential
• Meditation strengthens connection between body and mind

A team of scientists at the University of North Carolina have conducted a study which suggests that even a relatively short period of meditation has the power to strengthen a person's brain. 

Researcher split a group of about 60 study participants into two sections: one that practiced 20-minute daily meditation for four days and another that listened to a reading of The Hobbit for the same time period.

The participants were given tests on mood and cognition both before and after the trial. At the beginning, all had similar scores on both exams.

While both groups experienced improved moods, the meditation group scored significantly higher than the listening group when tested on cognitive ability. In fact, the meditation group beat out the control group ten-fold when it came to a challenging test that required focus.

"It goes to show that the mind is, in fact, easily changeable and highly influenced, especially by meditation," said Fadel Zeidan, study co-author.

Authors said that exercising and controlling one's brain is a simple process with powerful results.

Results of the study support Ilchi Lee's methods of Brain Education, a meditation technique that is meant to enlighten practitioners and lead personal and spiritual growth.  

People who looked at this item also looked at…

• Authors recommend eating, playing, meditating for spiritual growth
• Healthy living and meditation contribute to personal growth
• Committing violent acts causes changes in the brain
• Perception and memory largely reliant on brain potential
• Mind-body-spirit practice may help lower medical bills

Related items

• Meditation strengthens connection between body and mind
• Practicing meditation may be good for the heart
• Healthy living and meditation contribute to personal growth
• Authors recommend eating, playing, meditating for spiritual growth
• Meditation may promote cellular health

Researchers at the University of California (UC), Berkeley have conducted a study which suggests that people who regularly meditate have a stronger mind-body connection than even dancers, who have been thought of as having superior control over their bodies.

The connection between the physical and the mental is an important aspect for individuals wishing to reach enlightenment through personal growth, philosopher and author Ilchi Lee believes. These findings suggest that brain potential has the power to aid individuals in this journey.

A team of scientists measured the physical and self-reported emotional responses of dancers, meditators and a control group while they watched sad movies.

The group of participants who meditated reported more accurate emotional responses when matched with their heartbeats, while the dancers and the control group had similar scores.

"We all talk about our emotions as if they are intimately connected to our bodies — such as the 'heartache of sadness' and 'bursting a blood vessel' in anger," said Robert Levenson, a UC Berkeley psychology professor and senior author of the study. "We sought to precisely measure how close that connection was, and found it was stronger for meditators."

While a connection between the mental and physical is certainly important and beneficial, an individual may not feel whole without spiritual growth. A strong mind-body-spirit connection is a true indicator of enlightenment.  

People who looked at this item also looked at…

• Authors recommend eating, playing, meditating for spiritual growth
• Healthy living and meditation contribute to personal growth
• Committing violent acts causes changes in the brain
• Meditation used as therapy for better relationships and personal growth
• Perception and memory largely reliant on brain potential

Related items

• Meditation may improve brain potential
• Lifestyle changes may lead to health and happiness
• Practicing meditation may be good for the heart
• Healthy living and meditation contribute to personal growth
• Meditation used as therapy for better relationships and personal growth