IS MEDITATION HEALTHY?

M09 Meditation (CJ)

Meditation is supposed to be healthy...I already sit enough! Why it is so valuable for people with RLS & polyneuropathy and how it protects against Alzheimer's.

You've probably heard of meditation before and probably have a rough idea of ​​why people do it. There are countless different techniques and cultures, but they all basically have the same goal: to calm your mind (and body). In this article, we'll introduce you to a particularly simple meditation and show you how you can significantly improve your well-being with just 20 minutes of daily practice and what you should pay attention to. And one thing in advance: If you actually try it out over a longer period of time, transcendental meditation can be the key to a calmer and healthier life - especially if you suffer from age-related illnesses such as polyneuropathy or RLS (restless legs syndrome).

Did you know? Meditation can become an internal heater.

Tibetan monks who have practiced meditation for years are able to control their body temperature. In one curious study, it was found that Tibetan monks who have mastered the technique of "tummo" can raise their body temperature to the point where they can dry wet cloths on their naked bodies in freezing cold weather. This ability shows how powerful meditation can be and what amazing things the human mind and body can do when they are in tune. Now you can show off this quirky fact at the next family dinner!

Transcendental Meditation – a practice you can implement immediately.

Transcendental Meditation is a simple, natural and effortless technique popularized by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the 1950s. Unlike other forms of meditation, TM requires neither concentration nor control of the mind. Instead, a specific mantra, a word or sound, is repeated internally, which naturally leads the mind into a state of deep calm and relaxation. This makes the practice particularly easy to learn, which is why we have chosen to introduce it to you here.

How does Transcendental Meditation work?

During the practice, the meditator sits comfortably, closes his eyes, and silently repeats his mantra for about 20 minutes twice a day. This process helps calm the mind and leads to a state of deep inner silence called the "transcendental state of consciousness." In this state, the body experiences deep rest while the mind remains alert, helping to reduce stress and promote healing.

Health benefits of TM

1. Stress reduction: Numerous studies have shown that TM can significantly reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. This is particularly beneficial for people suffering from chronic stress and stress-related illnesses such as high blood pressure.
2. Improved heart health: TM can lower blood pressure and improve heart health. A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that TM reduced arterial stiffness and blood pressure in people with heart disease. Another study by the American Heart Association showed that TM can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by up to 48% in patients with cardiovascular disease.
3. Help with nerve problems: TM can be particularly helpful for people with polyneuropathy or RLS. Regular practice of TM leads to a state of deep calm that calms the nervous system and reduces the release of stress hormones. This is especially important because stress can worsen the symptoms of polyneuropathy and RLS.
4. Brain activity in old age: Three international studies show that meditation keeps your mind fit, especially in old age, when our grey cells deteriorate much faster than when we were younger.
   1. In 2010, a study conducted by the Maharishi University of Management Research Institute found that older adults who regularly practiced TM experienced a 23% improvement in cognitive flexibility compared to the control group.
   2. In 2013, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) observed that regular practice of TM improved memory performance by an average of 15%.
   3. A major 2015 study from Harvard Medical School reported that older adults who practiced TM experienced up to a 30% reduction in cognitive decline compared to non-meditating peers.
5. Sleep quality: Regular practice of TM can lead to better sleep, which is especially beneficial for people with sleep disorders or insomnia. The deep state of relaxation helps the body to fully recover.

We asked a pro – author and drug researcher Harald Maschler answers questions about his daily meditation.

We first got to know Harald as a customer. He uses Kalter Bruder© to treat stinging discomfort in his verses, and his wife is now also a fan of our gel. One day Harald wrote to me about a newsletter he had read from us and asked me if we could do an issue on the topic of meditation. The man has been meditating for 53 years. 20 minutes - every morning, every evening. But Dr. Harald Maschler does not seem detached or saintly. And: very cheerful. The graduate chemist and drug researcher learned to meditate in Hanover in 1970 after graduating in organic chemistry from the TU Hanover. Today he is firmly convinced that meditation would make the world a lot better and more peaceful - and, related to our common topic, that the practice can also be a real help for people with polyneuropathy or restless legs. We then interviewed Harald on the topic.

Interview with Harald Maschler

Carsten: Harald, how do you meditate?
Harald: You sit down and relax and close your eyes. Now comes the technique. There are many different ones. Mine is called "Transcendental Meditation". It's often in the press thanks to followers like Clint Eastwood, Donna Karan and now comedian Russell Brand.
C: And what does "transcendental" mean?
H: You transcend the coarser levels of thought. And finally leave its subtlest aspect behind you. Then you come to pure being. Beyond reason, beyond the senses.
C: And how should we imagine this? Can we still hear our heart beating? Can we see colors, is it dark, is it hot or cold?
H: There is a nice image to make it a little clearer. Let's see ourselves as a wave in the ocean: How big am I? How fast? How bright is my foamy crest? It is only my individual characteristics that set me apart from other waves. Now the wave begins to meditate: It settles, gets wider and eventually becomes so thick that it merges with the ocean. And gives up its individual existence. Then the wave understands: I am something much bigger at my base - the entire ocean. So is the next wave. And the one behind it...
C: How exactly do I get to this state of the ocean? How can I leave behind the thoughts that are always there?
H: You can imagine it like this: If I can think quickly and loudly, I can also think slowly and quietly. To help the mind in meditation, we give it a mantra - a word sound, in other words. We start it up, and over time it becomes quieter and more blurred. The mind rides on the mantra to ever finer levels, sinks deeper, but (unlike in sleep) remains completely awake. The mantra is just a vehicle. We then park it on the threshold to what the yogis call "samadhi" - bliss. Or as Goethe described it: "Now immediately turn inwards: you will find the centre within, which no noble person can doubt. You will not miss any rules there..."
C: Goethe meditated?
H: In any case, he has had this experience...
C: Do you have to practice for a long time?
H: No, if you start the process, it happens automatically. The mind is attracted to this stillness. It is extremely pleasant for it.
C: Does it matter if I am an attractive or phlegmatic type? Can everyone meditate?
H: Anyone who can think can always think more quietly. The important thing is that you learn it from a teacher and not experiment on your own.
C: What happens to the body?
H: Mind and body always go together. The body also relaxes completely. Breathing, heart rate and cardiac output decrease. The same goes for stress hormones such as cortisol. Blood pressure drops.
C: Meditation instead of beta blockers, would that work?
H: There are many studies that show that people who meditate regularly can lower their blood pressure, overcome anxiety disorders and have a positive effect on all stress-related illnesses.
C: Does meditation make you smarter?
H: Let's put it this way: our brains are also being cleansed. There is a law of nature in physics: "If I calm a system, it will organize itself." You can measure this during meditation. The brain waves synchronize and become more organized. In the long run, this makes your mind more creative and resilient. C: Do you need absolute silence to meditate?
H: If I can choose, I like to meditate in a quiet environment. But that's not a must. I can also do it on an airplane or train.
C: Is the lotus position optimal?
H: Only if you can sit comfortably in it. Otherwise, however comfortable it is.
C: Why not lying down?
H: We are too conditioned to "sleep".
C: Who actually invented meditation?
H: All forms of meditation originate from yoga. Today, the term is more commonly used for physical gymnastics. But yoga is actually the unity of body and mind. It creates "conscious being". This includes breathing, cleansing and physical exercises. And "Dhyana" - meditation.
C: Is meditation related to faith?
H: Absolutely not. Today it is a form of internal cleansing. Like taking a shower. Only in your head.
C: Why do you actually meditate?
H: This mental hygiene means that I behave differently. I am a more pleasant person. More tolerant, more balanced. This allows me to be more relaxed in my relationships and cause as little emotional damage as possible.
C: Does serenity make for better relationships?
H: Yes. Then my own stress patterns don't come to the fore. I can perceive people more objectively and solve problems in a more matter-of-fact way without emotional entanglements.
C: If we are left like this, do we lose too much ambition, hunger and dynamism to tackle this life today?
H: No. Meditation is not a tranquilizer. It makes you awake, present and does not change your character. To be truly effective in this society, I first have to understand who I really am. Meditation is particularly good at that. Nothing brings me closer to myself!

You can find more information about Harald Maschler, meditation and the 3 books that Dr. Maschler has written about Transcendental Meditation (TM) at
www.veda-wissenschaft.de

Conclusion: What you can take away for yourself

Transcendental Meditation is a simple but powerful technique that can help you reduce stress, improve your health and increase your general well-being. TM can be a valuable addition to other treatment methods, especially for age-related conditions such as polyneuropathy or RLS. Try it out and find out how this form of meditation can change your life for the better. As with all good habits, it's all about regularity - if you can somehow manage to integrate meditation into your daily routine like brushing your teeth, then you will benefit the most. There are lots of meditation centers in Germany, such as the Benediktushof near Würzburg, where you can switch off for a few days in nature and learn the basics of meditation. I have been there several times myself and always enjoyed sitting in a circle of others - it gave me the motivation I needed to practice in everyday life and I am still in contact with some of them today. Here are the tips for meditation in your life:

1. Find a quiet place: Choose a quiet and comfortable place where you will not be disturbed.
2. Regularity is key: try to practice TM twice a day for 20 minutes each – ideally in the morning and evening.
3. Don't be discouraged: calming your mind can be difficult, especially at first. However, with time and practice, it gets easier.
4. Take a course: A certified TM teacher can teach you the technique correctly and give you valuable tips.