Please, everyone, give meditation a try | Simple but very effective.

Mindfulness, CBT, Gratitude

Two days ago, I attended a forum at the Indian Consulate in New York with a friend from Tsinghua University, where Rinpoche spoke about the applications of meditation in modern life.

Honestly, I can’t think of a psychological practice or therapy more suited for modern people than meditation. In just three minutes, you can calm your thoughts and emotions, or spend 20 minutes to strengthen your mental resilience. Even Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) might struggle to achieve such immediate and profound effects.

In today’s world, people might not necessarily need religious faith, but they definitely shouldn’t lack self-awareness and insight into their own mind. Spirituality, in fact, is something inherent in everyone, though as we grow older, we tend to forget our ability to control our mental world and connect with the universe. You don’t need to be religious to cultivate spirituality; studies have shown that a strong sense of spirituality directly reduces the likelihood of mental health issues. For example, practicing spirituality can lower risks associated with suicide, depression, and addiction. For more insights on spirituality, I recommend The Spiritual Child by Lisa Miller, a prominent figure in clinical psychology at Columbia University. The book explores scientific research on how spirituality is developed and its impact on our well-being.

During my undergraduate years, I worked with my advisor to study how Dejian Mind-Body Intervention could improve executive functioning in individuals with autism, and the results were remarkable. It was surprising to see how seemingly unrelated meditation and dietary practices could alter brain functioning. This aligns with Rinpoche’s point: our thoughts (mind) are often more influential than our actions. When we learn to manage our mind, the external world begins to reflect our inner state.

(Quick note: my current research focuses on the differences between Eastern and Western approaches to meditation. Feel free to reach out if you're interested in discussing!)

#Psychology #Thoughts #Knowledge #Meditation

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