Meditation is the art of focusing on a single point, your quiet place within. Of the thousands of thoughts going through your mind every day, each one of them trying to grab your attention. Meditation helps you calm them down, and then you can focus on what really matters. In addition, meditation can be a reminder that all the feelings, emotions, thoughts and behaviors are originating from you and your view of life, not so much the other way around.
Research backing the many benefits of meditation is strong. Meditation can help people physically, emotionally and mentally. It is just the matter of getting it into the routine of life and practicing it until it becomes natural.
At the end, be patient with the process of meditation, since like any other skill, this will take some time to master. Make it a formal practice, and it will only get better. Start with breathing and work your way up. Also, don't forget to have a purpose when you are meditating. Purpose makes you engage easier and motivates you more. Be ready to get a little frustrated in the beginning, and deal with the frustration if it hits you. And don't forget to have a little faith.
Here are some tips that may help you make meditation a practical part of your life:
Roya R. Rad, MA, PsyD
Self Knowledge Base & Foundation
A non-profit dedicated to public education
www.SelfKnowledgeBase.com
The US is so drugged out that teaching more people this natural, self-regulating drug can only help us.
Great comments too. Let's all keep promoting meditation.
Also make sure to get exercise as a balance. Some exercises like yoga, martial arts and tai chi can make meditation easier and more beneficial. In the Shaolin Temples, the Buddhist monks would practice martial arts and also meditate for hours a day. The postures of yoga were made to keep one fit and healthy so they could could sit in meditation with no problems. I started doing yoga, martial arts and tai chi at age 12.