” Sought through Prayer and Meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.” Step 11, Big Book of AA
Bill W. and the early members of Alcoholics Anonymous were onto one of the keys to emotional and spiritual sobriety when they decided to include Meditation as part of their Program of Recovery. Although, not yet widely understood in western culture. The benefits of meditation, in both Eastern and Western spiritual and religious practices, was of great help in treating our Spiritual Malady.
Scientific studies have now confirmed the many therapeutic benefits from engaging in Mindfulness Meditation in as little as 10 minutes a day of consistent practice. In addition, there is evidence that Meditation can increase success in addiction treatment and improve the prospect for long-term Recovery. Here is a partial list of the ways Meditation can improve your life:
1. Meditation reduces stress, anxiety, and depression.
2. It is a good way to reduce anger and other negative feelings.
3. Meditation improves immune function.
4. The brain actually undergoes physical improvements during meditation, including increased grey matter density.
5. Enhanced memory, cognitive function, and increased IQ !
6. Meditation improves academic performance and increases creativity.
7. Lowers Blood pressure and heart rate.
8. Meditation can control pain and reduce use of opiate analgesics.
9. Certain forms of meditation can increase our levels of Empathy and Compassion.
10. Meditation enhances our connection with the divine and builds our sense of spirituality.
These are just a few of the many compelling reasons to include a Meditative practice as part of our Recovery plan. Meditation is an integral part of the daily routine in Jaywalker Lodge. Along with the daily meditation periods our clients receive instruction in meditation. Our Solutions men recently spent a saturday morning in silent contemplative meditation at St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass. Meditation helps calm our “Monkey Minds” and assists in controlling our emotions which can translate into healthier relationships with others and ourselves. People who practice meditation as part of a program of Recovery generally experience a more positive recovery, better social experiences, and a higher quality of life overall.
All that we are is a result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.
Buddha
Namaste,
Mark Kloster
Alumni Coordinator
