Stress in the workplace and at home is a significant issue in today’s world. From multinational corporations to the military, organizations recognize the importance of maintaining a stress-free workforce and environment, investing heavily in stress training programs. However, most of these programs focus solely on physical relaxation, resulting in only temporary relief as they address stress at the conscious and perhaps subconscious levels. This article explores the role of the superconscious in stress relief and how engaging the brain and superconscious more actively can lead to lasting stress reduction.
Over the past decade, significant studies have been conducted on stress, revealing important findings about the role of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal gland, in stress regulation. Cortisol is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that our body produces during stress. However, excessive stress can make our body insensitive to this hormone. This insensitivity is linked to diseases characterized by significant inflammation, such as asthma, pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C, Crohn’s disease, coronary heart disease, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune disorders.
As the body’s response to anti-inflammatory signals diminishes, the adrenal gland compensates by producing more cortisol. However, the overproduction of cortisol leads to a condition where the body becomes immune to its effects, resulting in “runaway inflammation.” This serious condition promotes the development and progression of many diseases.
In 2011 and 2012, significant studies were published demonstrating the impact of meditation on stress and related diseases. These studies found that meditation can reduce the activity of certain immune cell proteins directly linked to increased inflammation. Essentially, the research suggests that meditation can counteract the inflammation effects associated with the elevated cortisol levels resulting from prolonged stress.
In 2008, another study focused on people with HIV who were experiencing high stress. The HIV virus attacks CD4T lymphocytes, cells that coordinate the immune system, gradually depleting them. Psychological stress can accelerate this process.
In this study, one group practiced mindful meditation for eight weeks, while the other group did not. The meditation group did not experience any reduction in CD4T cells, whereas the non-meditation group showed a significant decrease in these cells.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the remarkable effects of meditation on stress, as well as its positive impact on overall health and emotional well-being.
Yogananda said “I bet I can take a group of boys with the worst character and the most restless temperament, and I’ll teach them to meditate. And if they will meditate two hours a day for four years the way I tell them, I’ll make saints of them.”
What did he mean by that? How could he so confidently state that he could bring about such a significant change in a person? To understand this, we need to delve into what happens when we meditate.
The brain and our nervous system are the most adaptable parts of our body, possessing high plasticity. This property allows for profound changes in our basic character. The prefrontal lobe, the most evolved part of our brain, is what makes us distinctly human.
The development of the prefrontal lobe determines our levels of happiness, concentration, willpower, sense of humor, empathy, creativity, and ability to learn new things—all qualities that define us as human beings.
In many meditation techniques including the “Hong-Sau” Technique, we focus on the area between the eyebrows, where the prefrontal lobe is located. This focus increases the flow of energy to this part of the brain, promoting the development and enhancement of its functions. By connecting to the superconscious through this focal point, we can significantly improve our mental and emotional well-being.
The basic reason for stress is our inability to accept things as they are and our desire to change situations beyond our control. This often leads to undesirable behaviour on our part and can instigate similar behaviour in others. By strengthening our prefrontal lobe, the most evolved part of our brain, we can better manage our reactions and reduce stress.
Humans have the unique potential to achieve higher states of being, and meditation is the path through which we can realize our true potential. Through meditation, we can enhance the functions of our prefrontal lobe, fostering qualities like empathy, creativity, and willpower, ultimately helping us lead a more balanced and stress-free life.
Only humans have the options to be divine or super beings and meditation is path through which we can achieve our true potential.
