Meditation Excerpt

by Brian L. Weiss, M.D.

The stresses of today’s world seem to intrude constantly into our daily lives — even moments of relaxation and pleasure are curtailed as rising pressures and demands leave us bewildered. Under this barrage of stress, the physical body functions at a heightened level of alertness—the so-called fight-or-flight reaction—triggering a cascade of physiological reactions. Fear, a common complaint in today’s world, also sets off internal alarms that urge us to act to protect ourselves. It’s becoming more and more difficult to tune in to our inner selves, to remember our true spiritual nature.

Thankfully, the practice of meditation helps us clear our minds. It rids us of stresses, intrusive thoughts, and fragments and echoes of the outside world—all of which disturb our conscious minds. Meditation makes our minds more sensitive to what’s truly important. And the benefits extend well beyond the meditative state itself, although it’s important to remember that meditation is in and of itself highly beneficial. The deeper that meditation takes us, the further we move away from the level of everyday consciousness (encompassing frustration, stress, anxiety, and worry), and the closer we draw to the higher self, with its capacity for love. Consequently, as we gain a higher perspective about life and our place in the world, appreciate the love that lies within us, and discover that we already possess this precious gift that’s so full of beauty, we find ourselves filled with self-love and are able to achieve happiness and joy. We indeed become enlightened—and enlightening—beings.

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Copyright © 2002 by Brian L. Weiss, M.D.   All Rights Reserved