Contemplative practices have been around for centuries and are highly regarded for a wide array of health benefits it provides to those who practice it. Stress relief, increased productivity, and even improved mental health are just some of the numerous advantages of meditation. Over the past three decades, meditation has proven to scientifically reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease and other illnesses, but in more recent times, meditation has been studied in the prevention of Alzheimer’s, and the results are nothing less than surprising.
What is Alzheimer’s?
Commonly affecting those in in the later years of life, Alzheimer’s disease is a disabling condition that causes individuals to lose brain cells which in turn results to memory loss and cognitive decline. While it might manifest simply as forgetfulness at first, Alzheimer’s becomes progressively worse as time goes on. Many suggest that the constant and frequent practice of mind puzzles, riddles, and thinking games are effective strategies that help slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s or to prevent it all together. But according to recent studies, there might just be a better way to avoid the disease’s development.
Christian Meditation and Alzheimer’s Disease
According to the findings of a recent study conducted by Australian and American scientists, meditation just might be the solution for those who want to prevent the development of Alzheimer’s in their later years. Their research entailed the participation of 25 elderly volunteers who manifested significant forgetfulness. They used a combination of Hindu meditation techniques on 14 participants and memory exercises on the other 11. The results of the study were astounding – between the two groups, those who practiced meditation proved to have much better memory at the end of the study compared to those who focused on memory games and brain exercises.
These findings create a much better picture of the untapped powers of the mind and how meditation can release release it. With the scientific foundation laid it's time to delve into faith. Can faith and meditation work? What about Christian meditation?
Since the release of Dr. Benson's book “the Relaxation Response” the concept of faith and meditation has created a whirlwind of news around the miraculous power of faith when combined with meditation. Dr. Herbert Benson, a Harvard educated cardiologist, discovered that when meditation is incorporated into one's faith it has astounding results. People tend to recover more quickly from sickness and surgery, conditions seem to heal faster, and a sense of overall good health is restored. Results also include improve cognitive skills and enhanced memory.
Unlike conventional meditation which seeks to empty the mind in order to reach a state of calm and serenity, Christian meditation focuses on creating a stronger bond between us and God through Christ, thus creating a much more fruitful and satisfying experience for any believer.
Combining the findings of this study and other research that suggests the uplifting and empowering effects of spiritual practices like Christian meditation, one can deduce that there's a good chance anyone who takes up the contemplative discipline may prevent the development of a disease like Alzheimer’s. The collateral effect may also improve health and well-being all together, allowing those who practice Christian meditation to maintain optimal functionality and enjoy life much later than most.
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