Meditation Benefits : หน้า 90/200

86 MEDITATION BENEFITS MEDIATION BENEFITS Meditation has been linked to a variety of health benefits. A review of scientific studies identified favorable outcomes of meditation which include: relaxation, concentration, an elevated state of awareness, self-observing attitudes, perceptual sensitivity, good memory, self control, empathy, and good self esteem. Meditation has been linked to a host of biochemical and physical changes in the body that alter metabolism, heart rate, respiration, elevated blood pressure and brain activity. Studies also show that meditation can improve academic and work performance. Meditation has now entered the health care domain because of evidence suggesting a positive correlation between the practice of meditation and emotional and physical health. Examples of such benefits include: reduction in stress, anxiety, depression, headaches, pain, and blood pressure. In a Buddhist Discourse on Concentration, Samadhi Sutta14, meditation benefits are indicated and described as follows: *Happy living* – We gain immediate happiness by the mere act of letting go from worries and burdens of life. It is akin to unloading a heavy load that one has carried in a long journey. The body feels lighter and the mind is relieved. By training the mind to be free of worries, we find happiness in everything we do and everywhere we go. We 14 Samadhi Sutta: Samadhi, a Pali word which means concentration. Sutta means Discourse.