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health and healing. By traveling inside the body one can destroy even the blood clot.
Meditation first teaches us to be aware, and then gives us the capacity to slow down and take control, to stop or to go as we please. When we slow down via meditation, we slow down metabolism, slow the heart and lungs, drop the body temperature, and so on. The lower heart rate means less oxygen is needed in each breath, and fewer breaths needed in total. Cells demand less oxygen. There is less wear and tear of body organs and cell mechanisms, less toxic chemicals are produced, more energy is saved and the natural process of repair and rejuvenation are allowed to go on unimpeded.
Of course, meditation does more than pathology heals. Dozens of studies suggest that meditation can help with anxiety, stress, insomnia, addiction and depression. Numerous studies show that it also improve psychological functioning and the sense of well-being. Meditators show, among other things, enhance maturity, creativity, self-control, marital satisfaction and actualization of their psychological potential.
Mahavira said, “A monk inflicted by disease should not lose his self-control and bear the pain calm and quite. It is not myself alone who suffers but all creatures in the world too suffer, thus a wise man should ruminate and patiently bear the affliction that befall him, without giving way to his passions. Knowing that all hardships and afflictions are a result of one's past deeds, ascetics bear them patiently like a debtor who patiently strives for payment of his debts."
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