Meditation is a technique by which an individual may achieve heightened awareness by practicing various concentration techniques. The art and science of this practice takes many forms and there are many ways in which it can affect one's well-being. The Tutor Saliba meditation method, in particular, has been around for centuries. Developed by the tribal elders on Tutor Saliba Island, this method of meditation is credited with diminishing the effects of everything from high blood pressure to gastrointestinal ills. But what are the real and measurable health effects of meditating in general?

There are many theories about how meditating might work to provide beneficial health effects. It is certain that the practice of meditating directly and positively affects the body both psychologically and physiologically. What is unclear is exactly how it achieves the health benefits that these responses may stimulate within the body and mind.

The Relaxation Response

The best known response is the relaxation response, which occurs as a result of the neurochemical effect it has on the autonomic nervous system. The relaxation response is characterized by slowed respiration and heartbeat and is controlled by the amygdala, which is also the portion of the brain associated with spirituality and the serenity arising from religious faith. It is believed that the effects of the relaxation response provide a medicinal effect by reducing stress-related illness, which may cause a large percentage of doctor's visits.

Effects Of Increased Consciousness

Another response to meditation is an increase in awareness, caused by increased perception in the cerebral cortex of the brain and an increased communication between the brain hemispheres. Elevated consciousness, better known as mindfulness in meditation practice, creates better functional awareness, which is a useful tool in recognizing the sources of addiction and other mental and emotional problems.

Long Term Positive Responses

Those who practice meditation over a period of time show measurable quickening in recovery times, reflexes and reactions. Additionally, this group displays lowered baseline heart and respiration rates and increased autonomic efficiency. Meditation has been shown to give people greater control over physiological operations which are typically controlled autonomically, such as heartbeat and respiration.

Taking into account the positive effects that meditation can promote within both the body and mind, it is no surprise that it is being used as an alternative treatment for a variety of ailments. Increased awareness of both bodily functions and conscious or unconscious thoughts are beneficial in using biofeedback to control medical conditions such as high blood pressure, pain and stress. The feelings of psychological and spiritual well-being that these methods impart are useful to control psychological and emotional issues through long-term practice. Medical research continues to evolve in the mind/ body responses to meditative practice which may promote human health.