In the 1970s, Dr. Herbert Benson, a cardiac physician of the Harvard Medical School, did a study on a group of people who practice transcendental meditation (TM). The group, confining themselves twice daily for half an hour per session in a quiet room, sat with their eyes closed and mentally recited a mantra. Dr. Benson noticed that during the practice, the heart rate and breathing of these people became slower.
Their blood pressure also decreased. Moreover, during the session, they were very relaxed but fully alert. Dr. Benson regarded this as ‘responsiveness towards relaxing condition.’ Further study revealed that TM could change a person’s reaction to stress. He concluded that TM is useful to health, adopting and adapting it as Western meditation, and recommended it to patients with high blood pressure. Later, physicians in other fields widely employed this method in their practice.
According to a six-year study of the Quebec Health Insurance Program in Canada, people who practiced daily meditation for 20 minutes pay less visits to the hospital than those who do not practice.
This has resulted in the reduction by 13% of the State of Quebec’s healthcare expenses.
According to another medical study, it was confirmed that meditation stimulates the flow of endorphin, a positive substance which has to do with the function of our body. It helps clear the brain while reduces physical and mental stress. At the same time, e calm mind from meditation inhibits the flow of adrenalin, the culprit for our body’s abnormal function, be it the respiratory or digestive system.
Source : Venarable Ajahn Mitsuo Gavesako