| The purpose of this article is to provide | | | | Transformational Life ViewMeditation does not |
| information on methods and techniques on how | | | | only involve breathing awareness. Many |
| to cope with pain, or in some instances, | | | | meditation traditions ask you to ponder on |
| possibly even overcoming pain with the use of | | | | life-changing concepts such as what reality |
| techniques derived from Yoga | | | | is and who you really are. Understanding |
| meditation.Chronic pain sufferers spend | | | | your True Self, and experiencing your True |
| millions of dollars to find ways of relieving | | | | Self directly thru meditation causes |
| their pain. This article hopes to share a | | | | practitioners to undergo a profound |
| process that is natural, and free.Meditation: | | | | transformation of view. This transformation |
| The Most Popular Alternative Pain Relief | | | | of view leads them to a different way of |
| TherapyAccording to a study in the Journal of | | | | looking at themselves, namely from a |
| the American Medical Association, mind-body | | | | perspective of wholeness. With this change |
| medicine is the most popular alternative | | | | of perspective, a new and profound coming to |
| approach for people in pain. And at the | | | | terms with their problems and their suffering |
| heart of mind-body medicine lies the age-old | | | | begins to take place. From feeling out of |
| practice of meditation; a quiet, simple | | | | control, helpless, and beyond help, they |
| technique that belies an extraordinary power | | | | develop a sense of inner peace and |
| that has scientifically been proven to boost | | | | acceptance, and even a sense of the possible, |
| disease resistance and maintain overall | | | | a feeling of calm confidence, and control. |
| health.For many people who suffer from | | | | This attitudinal and emotional transformation |
| chronic pain, spending quiet time in | | | | plays a major role towards better health and |
| meditation has proven to be the first step in | | | | often causes a reduction in physical symptoms |
| learning how to cope with their pain. Over | | | | and improvement in a person's physical |
| the years, thousands of individuals have | | | | condition.This transformational life view |
| sought help at stress reduction clinics that | | | | brings about an ability to act with greater |
| teach meditation techniques to people with | | | | balance and inner security in the world, |
| pain. Their symptoms vary -from headaches, | | | | especially when encountering stress, pain, or |
| arthritis, and back pain to anxiety, eczema, | | | | illness. This category includes the popular |
| and many other conditions- but their stories | | | | mindfulness meditation which is used |
| are remarkably similar: For those seeking | | | | extensively by stress reduction clinics that |
| help in coping with their problems, | | | | have helped thousands of chronic pain |
| meditation works.How Pain Relief Is Attained | | | | sufferers and people with illnesses.Category |
| Thru Meditation (Why Meditation Decreases | | | | 3: Visualization/ ImageryVisualization or |
| Pain)The human body can produce its own | | | | imagery is a commonly used technique to |
| natural chemical self-stimulants called | | | | relieve anxiety and pain. It involves |
| endorphins. Among other things, this group | | | | imagining a pleasant and relaxing, or even |
| of molecules alleviates stress, reduces pain, | | | | exciting, place or activity that has brought |
| and gives a feeling of pleasure.During | | | | you happiness in the past or is appealing to |
| meditation, when the brain is in a highly | | | | you. Mentally exploring this place or |
| synchronous and coherent state (as measured | | | | activity in great detail can help induce a |
| by EEG brainwave biofeedback machines), it | | | | sense of calm.Category 4: Prana/ Chi / Life |
| produces large quantities of these | | | | ForceIt is said that a life force flows |
| pleasure-causing neuro-chemicals, i.e., | | | | through our bodies, invariably known as prana |
| endorphins, making the whole experience | | | | or chi, and that this energy flows through |
| pleasurable, giving an overall feeling of | | | | the body within a psychic nervous system |
| well-being. Many report a feeling of peace, | | | | composed of subtle channels. There is an |
| happiness, connectedness, and a sense of | | | | intimate relationship between our mind and |
| wholeness when meditating.Scientists have | | | | this subtle nervous system and we can control |
| found that when the brain is stimulated by a | | | | or direct this energy for improved |
| pleasurable experience, it is capable of | | | | well-being, such as for pain relief.You can |
| overwhelming or inhibiting other stimuli. | | | | also visualize blue, white, or pink healing |
| Thus, pleasure can overcome depression or | | | | light having a positive effect on the painful |
| pain.Yoga Meditation Methods For Coping With | | | | area.ConclusionThese Yoga meditation |
| Or Overcoming PainThere are many meditation | | | | techniques have been used for centuries for |
| methods and techniques but they can generally | | | | spiritual purposes. However, they can also |
| be divided into several categories listed | | | | be used as natural pain relief methods. By |
| below. You may experiment with each one, and | | | | applying the meditation techniques |
| maybe even combine them to suit your needs. | | | | specifically for pain control, practitioners |
| It all depends on what works best for you. | | | | are able to have a positive effect on such |
| Meditation is a very flexible tool.Category | | | | severe kinds of pain.I hope these methods |
| 1: BreathingOne of the first steps in | | | | help those of you with chronic pain so that |
| meditation is being aware of your breath. | | | | you can use meditation to lead better |
| This method involves the use of specific | | | | lives.Raj K. Norbu is founder of a site that |
| breathing patterns to bring about relaxation. | | | | shows you how to experience your True Self |
| Essentially, as you slow your breathing | | | | thru Yoga meditation, enabling you to |
| rate, the body relaxes, and the mind calms | | | | increase pain threshold and perform amazing |
| down, as well. Based on my own personal | | | | feats. Ebooks available include The Yogic |
| experience, the more relaxed you are, the | | | | Method For Developing Supernormal Powers and |
| less pain you will feel.Category 2: | | | | The Ultimate Yoga Meditation Course. |