Quite simply - yes.




There are many misconceptions about the world of meditation - indeed many misconceptions about the world of self discovery as a whole. Concepts as simple and straightforward as introspection are sometimes viewed with suspicion and wariness, as though they are the realm of those with too much time on their hands or uber-liberal outlooks. Well before the more interesting and esoteric aspects of self discovery, people begin to shy away from what they think of as a mystical and somewhat flimsy field. 




Fortunately for those of us who have explored some of this world and discovered for ourselves that there is nothing overly hocus-pocus or vague about the practice of meditation, there is much academic research being conducted on the effects of meditation. These studies show irrefutable and amazing results, with many intellectual and wellness faculties such as concentration, awareness, relaxation and more recently longevity being shown to benefit from regular meditation. Find some of the more interesting and compelling studies here.




With benefits such as these, the scope of those that would benefit from meditation is obviously enormous. We could all benefit from being more relaxed, focused, able to concentrate for longer and remember more, right? Being so simple, the practice of meditation and mindfulness rules virtually no-one out from the potential benefits that stand to be gained. While it is true that the history of meditation and similar practices in the west have been the preserve of those generally seen as 'unconventional', it would be decidedly illogical to let this interfere with our pursuit of self discovery and improvement!





Check out some exercises here and begin your journey!

With the huge array of programmes, tools, concepts and general options available to those of us who actively pursue self-actualization, it can be hard to know which to follow and which to avoid. Zen Buddhism, Yoga, Visualization, Mindfulness, Transcendental Meditation, Soul Meditation, Tai Chi... The list of 'tried and tested' methods is seemingly endless. How to choose then?




The simple answer is that once you immerse yourself in any one of these methodologies for any real amount of time, you will know what works for you. The journey of self discovery is exactly that - you yourself must decide what grabs you and how you might benefit from each concept. We, the students, are just as varied as the concepts and thus can only explore with the hope that we might find something that resonates with us. There can be a sense of intimidation and perfectionism the emanates from spirituality, and surely this is exactly what must be avoided? Ultimately, the majority (and depending on your beliefs, perhaps all) of rules and regulations that have created the systems of spirituality with which we are now acquainted arose from people just like us. In the same ways that we have flaws and imaginations, so do our masters, and their creation of our guidelines was their own journey. 




Exploring your spirituality must include the active seeking of information from the known world, but also - more importantly - a delving into your own inner world in which you feel right and wrong and reveal your own unique journey. Much of that begins with never believing you have found the truth, but rather always continuing as though there are infinite more thruths to be found!




Good luck, and be strong!