The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on April 7 in the year 1948. Since then, April 7 is celebrated as World Health Day and it would be nice if each person on this planet pledges to contribute towards making the world a Healthier and Happier place to live in.  This day assumes greater significance since we are still coming to terms with the effects of the corona pandemic and the toll it has taken on different facets of our lives. We should be more aware and prepared for dealing with such unforeseen health setbacks in the future.

Even though 82.8 crore people are fully vaccinated in India, there is always the fear lurking of a new variants and yet another wave. According to health experts, your immunity is the only defense and remedy for diseases like corona. Since there are still restrictions on full scale outdoor activities, learning online meditation practices at home has become increasingly popular. Today, we would like to introduce to you a unique cultivation practice which is becoming very popular through online webinars and is effective in increasing immunity. Falun Dafa (or Falun Gong), is an advanced cultivation practice of mind and body.

In Falun Dafa five gentle and effective exercises are taught, but emphasis is given on cultivation of the mind or cultivation of moral character. These exercises help in opening up one’s energy channels, purifying the body, relieving stress and providing inner peace. Being a perfect practice of mind and body, people get amazing health benefits in a short span of time. Many people experience health improvements such as better sleep, less stress, increased energy, decreased irritability, improved digestion, etc. Many people have benefited from diseases like cancer, diabetes, hepatitis and heart disease. Several people have said that the practice has reduced their urge to smoke and have been able to give up tobacco and other addictions.

Effective in increasing immunity

According to research by Dr. Lili Feng, Professor of Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas, Falun Dafa is effective in increasing immunity against diseases. Dr. Lili Feng investigated the life span and function of white blood cells (neutrophils), which found that the in vitro life span of Falun Dafa practitioners was 30 times longer than in control groups and they were functioning better. It shows immunity and health benefits for some diseases.  Falun Dafa was first made public in China in May 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Today Falun Dafa is popular among more than 100 million people in more than 90 countries. But it is unfortunate that Falun Dafa is being persecuted in China since 1999, which continues till today.

Also Read: Falun Dafa increases immunity against Corona pandemic

Falun Dafa was first made public in China in May 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. But the sad fact is that in China, the birthplace of Falun Dafa, this exercise and meditation practice is being repressed by the communist regime since 1999 which continues to this day. However, the practice is popular with more than 100 million people in more than 100 countries. In India also it is being practiced in all the major cities. Many people from Mumbai’s fashion and film industry are practicing Falun Dafa. In their hectic life, they have been able to achieve the goal of physical health and mental peace through this practice. Falun Dafa has also been taught in many schools, colleges, corporate offices, NGOs, police academies and prisons across the country.

Please Watch: Falun Dafa – Persecution in China and its impact on India

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What is meditation?

Meditation is a mindful training that consists of definite principles and techniques like breathing, control of the senses, concentration, and mantras which help attain higher levels of consciousness, sharpen awareness and make it easier to achieve a more peaceful and stable state.

There are a variety of meditation styles since each of them requires different skills and mindsets. Some of them include:

1. Mindfulness meditation
2. Spiritual meditation
3. Focused meditation
4. Movement meditation
5. Mantra meditation
6. Transcendental meditation
7. Progressive relaxation
8. Loving-kindness meditation
9. Visualization meditation

What is meditation for?

There are many preconceived beliefs about the concept of meditating. Many people believe that meditation is solely a religious and spiritual practice, close to a prayer, that allows the soul to connect with God or the universe in a much deeper level. 

They also claim that it merely serves to clear the mind of negative thoughts and relax. However, its purpose is far greater than that. Meditation is not a whimsical but a science-backed method used to enhance the functioning of the brain and the well-being of the soul.

Luckily, you don’t have to figure out all the complexities of meditation on your own. Seeking help from a professional or simply downloading a powerful meditation app will do just the trick. If you ask us, we’d recommend checking out Black Lotus.

Black Lotus is a guided meditation app founded by Om Swami, a celebrated Indian monk and expert meditator. Black Lotus encourages its users to use meditation as a tool to become more kind, productive, happy, and enlightened in one’s life. It uses a comprehensive framework called R.A.R.E. (Reflect. Act. Reinforce. Evaluate) to help users fight gloominess, loneliness, better their relationships, control their emotions, practice mindfulness and feel more grateful.

Union between mind and body

Mindfulness meditation focuses on the interactions among the mind, the body and behaviour. In addition, it also concentrates on one’s awareness by bringing their senses to the present and helping them understand the events in the brain. 

This assists in being more conscious and able to distinguish reality from delusions which further helps instil positive effects on your emotional health and psychological well-being. Meditation improves one’s inner peace and helps manage negative emotions like stress, fear, and anger because it helps redirect thoughts.

Control over emotions

Meditation helps clear the mind. One who meditates regularly gains the ability to understand his emotions better and starts having control over them. The most common reason why people opt for meditation is stress reduction.

During the process, you divert your attention from negative thoughts and focus more on how you are feeling in the current moment, on your breathing rhythm, and the physical sensations in your body too. Adding to that, less stress means less anxiety.

Therapeutic for mental illnesses

Studies have proved that mindfulness can treat people with mental illnesses such as depression, for instance, since it decreases levels of inflammatory cytokines in the body. So, meditation does not only affect psychological health but also physical health.

Research has found that meditation and mindfulness practices may significantly reduce pain, fatigue, lower blood pressure, and help people recover more rapidly from cold or flu. Moreover, it helps regulate metabolism, boost the immune system and improve heart rate and brain waves.

10 tips to get started with meditation

1. Start small

Most people who get into meditation and quit immediately after do so before they end up setting unrealistic goals. It’s important to remember that meditation is not an achievement, nor a destination. For beginners, the best way to ensure commitment to meditation is to start small. For instance, meditating just 3-5 minutes a day.

2. Consider why you want to meditate

It is not easy to form a habit, and motivation often decreases with time as you face new challenges. This is why it is significant to list down all the reasons that pushed you to take up meditation, so they eventually incite you if you ever decide to give up.

3. Ignore the how and get started

There is no right or wrong way to meditate. It is a flexible practice. You can start with the basics then add to them as you get more comfortable and used to it.

4. Create a meditation space

The environment can differ to each person; some people like to meditate indoors, while others prefer to be in nature. As long as the place is calm, and quiet, so as not to disturb your meditation, it is good enough.

5. Find a community

Motivation begins within the individual and gets even stronger when being engaged in a community that supports and shares the same goals as you. It also makes meditation more fun and will help you stick to it longer.

6. Choose a meditation method

Meditation comes in all shapes and forms. As a beginner, it is better to experiment with different types until you find the one that is more suitable for you then turn it into a regular practice.

7. Be an observer

It is good to notice the change in your emotions and feelings before and after meditation so you can evaluate the progress and see whether you need to make any changes to the exercise.

8. When is the ideal time to meditate?

There is no ideal time to meditate. You can create your own meditating schedule depending on when you are available and on your emotional needs as well.

9. Get to know yourself

This practice allows you to gain an insight about yourself and helps you experience self-discovery by outlining your triggers, evaluating your feelings. It also gives you a better perception and awareness of the world around you.

10. No thoughts, no meditation

One of the most widespread myths about meditation is that if thoughts arise during the practice, you are not meditating correctly. There is no harm in having thoughts while meditating. If you feel your mind wandering, simply redirect your focus on your breath and senses.

Thank you for reading our guide. We hope it added some value to your life and helped you get started in your meditation and mindfulness journey.

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