Indeed, Dr. Deepak Chopra named mindfulness meditation "the corner-stone of the alternative-medicine revolution" and Abraham Maslow, father of humanistic psychology, speaking of meditation stated:

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“It is my strong suspicion that even one such experience might be able to prevent suicide, for instance, and perhaps many varieties of slow self-destruction, e.g., alcoholism, drug addiction, addiction to violence, etc.  I would guess also, on theoretical grounds, that peak experiences might very well abort existential meaninglessness, states of valuelessness, etc., at least occasionally.”

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Mindfulness meditation is the accepted "best practice" for a multitude of mental and physical health problems.  Its spiritual benefits are enormous.  If this type of meditation would be a pill it would be called a cure-all... and it does so without the harmful side-effects of drugs.

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Mindfulness meditation (a.k.a., "mindful meditation") is that and much more it doesn't have of the side effects or tolerance building properties that pharmaceutical drugs do.  Mindfulness meditation (also spelled "mindfulness" in Australian or UK English) largely became popular in the West as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction though the work of John Kabat-Zinn, PhD.  This type of meditation is a state of focused attention on a calming, patterned activity.  The focus produces a deep state of mind relaxation, whereby the stream of jumbled thoughts and stress that overcrowd our minds subside.  This results is a sense of calm, relaxation, lowered cortisol and blood pressure levels, better sleep, and increased well-being and immune response for fighting disease.  Abraham Maslow (1964), like many other prominent psychologists, believed that a transcendental state consciousness such as that created in mindful meditation might be an antidote to almost the entire range of mental health issues:

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Modern research, such as a 2004 study by Grossman and others, in Germany, has reviewed all physical and mental health studies on mindful meditation and concluded that:

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“The consistent and relatively strong … effect … across very different… samples indicates that mindfulness training might enhance general features of coping with distress and disability in everyday life, as well as under more extraordinary conditions of serious disorder” (Grossman et all., 2004, p. 39).” 

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Deepak Chopra named mindful meditation "the cornerstone of the alternative-medicine revolution" and the US National Institute of Health calls for doctors to:

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“to accept meditation as an effective treatment for chronic pain, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, premenstrual syndrome, and infertility”(Andersen, 2009, p. 29)

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The Benefits of Meditation

Generally speaking, all spiritual meditation is a state of focused attention on a calming, patterned activity, such as breathing or walking.  The outcome of such focus is often a tranquil deep state of mind relaxation during which the stream of jumbled thoughts that usually over-crowds the mind and cause stress subsides.  This ancient practice will help you carry yourself calmer through life and is known by medical practitioners to alleviate both psychological and medical conditions that are affected by stress. U.S. research on Mindfulness Meditation concluded that mindfulness meditation is "best practice" for almost the entire range of emotional and physical problems:

 

   Effects on Emotional Well-being

Mindful meditation results in a sense of calm, lowered cortisol and blood pressure, better sleep, and increased immune response that protects us from on-going or potential diseases.  Overall meditation leads to enhanced physical and emotional well-being.

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Have a larger perspective on stressful situations which lowers stress
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Managing Stress, Depression, Anxiety or Panic Disorders
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Controls eating disorders
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Increases your self-awareness and the awareness of resources for dealing with the stress
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Increasingly live in the hear and now, rather than in your thoughts, which allows you to enjoy life and when problems are encountered to focus on them and solve them efficiently
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Spiritual meditation reduces negative emotions such as panic, anxiety, depression, relieving of traumatic memories, derived from focusing on negative memories and thoughts
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Reduces substance abuse
 

 

   Effects on Physical Well-being
 
Stress decreases the ability of the body to fight disease.  Thus, mindful meditation is useful in alleviating a number of medical conditions, especially those worsened by stress. (an estimated 95% of all medical conditions)  Unlike pills, the long-term benefits of spiritual meditation do not end when you stop meditating - they last throughout the lifetime.  Unlike medication, mindfulness does not damage kidneys or  liver, has no side affects, and does not build tolerance that leads to addictions.  Mounting scientific research studies support the health benefits of mindfulness meditation in conditions, such as:

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Allergies
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Asthma
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Binge eating
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Cancer
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Fatigue
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Heart disease
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High blood pressure
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Pain
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Sleep problems
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Improving immune functioning to help fighting cancer or infections
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Enhancing immunity to fight off disease in general
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Speeding-up post-operative recovery
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Enhancing energy, health, and reduce fatigue
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 Rejuvenating your body
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Substance abuse
 

 

   Effects on Spiritual Well-being

Spiritually speaking, mindfulness meditation is a type of spiritual meditation that is very effective for relinquishing ego blocks to personal and spiritual development and uncovering your Higher Self.  Its benefits go beyond the purpose of this life and the progress made cannot be lost.

 

By practicing Mindful Meditation you tend to your mind, body, and spirit, all at one time.

 

ATTENTION:  Mindfulness Meditation must not be practiced while driving or operating machinery.  It is always a good idea to talk to your doctor about the benefits of mindfulness meditation