The deep hum of “ohmmmm” sitting bug-like looking for inner peace isn’t the only way to get centered and in a state of bliss.
Reverend Rick Davis of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Salem knows firsthand the power meditation has for himself and his congregation. “I made a vow to meditate for thirty minutes a day; now I usually meditate for an hour a day,” Davis said.
“I think that meditation is an enormous help. It helps with blood pressure, anxiety and stress. Meditation helps you be a little more detached. You are able to create a little bit of distance. Not getting frustrated is easier with a little bit of space. You are calmed down and feel a little more centered,” said Davis. “Meditation gives you this little space where you get to operate with more freedom in your life.”
Some like it quiet; however, some like to center themselves around positive thoughts and a little rock ‘n roll. Angie Lowe is a specialized child care provider who lives in Stayton. She’s a woman who has a lot to get to and take care of during the day. “Meditation is truly being able to get rid of negative energy in the body,” said Lowe. “Some days, dealing with children, dealing with the idiot at the front door, sometimes it is just everything. Everyone needs me. At the end of the day I just want to flush it all away, go to bed and forget about last night’s trash.”
Davis said that there is scientific evidence in a relatively new field called neurotheology that shows that meditation stimulates the frontal lobes and that last night’s “trash” can actually change your brain patterns.
“The interior cingulate cortex is stimulated, and that means you are fired up and one happy person,” Davis said. “It’s just scientific validation from what people have known from a long time. [Meditation] helps transform us to be better people.”
According to Davis, the theory on venting anger to feel better has changed. “We have some new insight. Some thoughts are that if you gave vent to anger and emotions you were doing a good thing, letting off steam. Now thoughts are, you are just practicing being angry. Anger isn’t a good thing to practice.”
Meditation is the practice of being calm. “Meditation is hardwiring your brain for positive thoughts,” said Davis. “Any music teacher will tell you that you have to practice to be good at something. It’s not usually rapid progress, but certain and sure progress over a period of time.”
Davis always feels good after meditation. “I sit in the full lotus posture; when you are finished you feel so much better.”
Lowe opts for a less conventional approach and starts her day off with a little bit of relaxation from Nickelback.
“I had friends who tried to teach me ‘how’ to meditate. Some of it was hokey to me. I listened to music that I considered relaxing and began letting go of the world. Lots and lots of breathing, and just letting go. That is what meditation is to me,” said Lowe.
No stereotypical sounds of water running or birds running. “It just reminds me of the laundry, or that birds pooped on my car and I need to wash it,” Lowe said.
There are connections between meditation and Eastern religious practice but Davis says that they are not exclusive.
“There is such a thing as contemplative prayer. It’s very similar to meditation. Prayer is usually thought of as asking God for special blessings or favor. With contemplative prayer, you are not asking God to help; you are putting yourself in a place where you are opening up and receiving.”
Meditation or prayer even happens at contemporary Christian events. “It’s sometimes called a centering prayer. It’s where you sit and center; repeat prayers over and over again. You let go of thoughts and people and focus on one simple prayer. It’s like a mantra,” Davis said.
“It allows us to have a discipline to directing awareness of our thoughts through prayer. If you practice your dedication you discover that you can let go of emotions and anxiety that are not good for you,” he said.
Lowe said, “To me meditation isn’t about getting in touch with your yin and your yang. It’s getting rid of stress. Now, I reach for my iPod, shut my bedroom door and relax. It sends my body to a very deep and relaxed state.”
