Why Meditate? How can it benefit us?

Meditation isn't a magical elixir for everyone or everything. After all - there is still life and for all it's beauty there is hardship and certainly things that require action. And even though meditation can expand our awareness, whether we act or not, some things in life never do make sense from our limited perspectives. There is still pain. Yet, meditation can help us learn to let go of suffering. I heard someone say that the Buddha described the difference between pain in suffering in this way. Pain = one arrow. Suffering = 10,000 arrows. I don't know about you, but I've certainly caught myself turning one arrow into 10,000. Yeah, that first arrow stings and how! But why this tendency to prolong the pain and allow it to become an agonizing bout of suffering?

Okay - back to some of the potential benefits of meditation. These are changes that I've observed in myself or others and although as far as I can tell none of us are near being perfect yet, it's nice to experience moving in the direction of:

Less stress (and so less of the physiological responses of too much stress in the body)

Improved concentration and ability to focus

Increased clear, positive thinking (Is the glass half empty or half full?)

Increased intuition and creativity

Increased energy

Sleeping better

Giving up unhealthy habits

An increased ability to act from a place of choice rather than react out of old patterns

Experiencing more present-moment awareness 

Experiencing more balance and flexibility in daily interactions

Experiencing more compassion - towards others and ourselves

An increased ability to create and manifest our dreams

An increased sense of gratitude and overall well being regardless of external challenges

Increasing awareness of our ability to contribute to life

Experiencing greater peace of mind 

Deepening and healing relationships (even if this involves letting them go)

Developing greater understanding and acceptance of life, other people and ourselves

Expanding our awareness on all levels

Lightening up

Experiencing more joy in life

Greater awareness of our deeper self, that place of calm stillness, unlimited possibility and true love

That's certainly an impressive list! And while it's not true that everyone experiences all those things I can almost guarantee that anyone who regularly meditates will experience a greater sense of well being and find themselves moving in the direction of less suffering and more joy.