Medical  science  is showing  that  you get  all  the above, and  more, from  the  power  of  deep  meditation  like

 

 

Elaine was an upwardly mobile young businesswoman in a high-pressure advertising corporation where some older guys didn't like her rapid climb. Her husband, Michael, was a struggling salesman. He resented that Elaine had insisted on waiting to have children, and when they finally tried, they couldn’t. Elaine's parents thought Michael wasn't good enough for her and often said, "Why do you have to provide all the income?"

 

Elaine and Mike's marriage was sliding downward and she was failing at her job. They quarreled almost constantly. She was depressed, getting heavy, often couldn't sleep, drank too much, and was grouchy and nervous. She felt she was going crazy and that something had to change. She thought, "I must still love Mike, and if I give up on the marriage I won't have kids, on top of which my parents will say, 'We told you so.'" She'd lost her religious faith. She debated about seeing a psychiatrist, but that took so long, and was so costly, and embarrassing.

 

“If I could just gain a little peace to get through this rough time," Elaine said to her friend, Mary, who asked, "What about meditation? I always wanted to try it." Elaine replied, "Well, I paid for that big meditation and levitation course but it seemed like a rip-off to me. You know, I don't think my brain can work like that anyway."

 

Mary insisted that Elaine meet her friend, Herb. "Herb knows a lot about mantra meditation, but he's not into that voodoo stuff."  Elaine called Herb, who laughed and agreed with her about the rigidity and greediness of many meditation schools, but he had tried to bypass all of that. He would help her and she wouldn't have to join a group, follow strict rules, or pay for a mantra. (What a contrast this was to her previous guru, who said that permanent harm would come from any meditation not done exactly his way).

 

But Herb had two firm conditions: 1) That she promise to make time for learning every day, and 2) that she get 20 minutes of exercise three times a week. Her schedule was already full and she knew she would need help from Mike. He thought it was crazy, but grudgingly agreed to help her find the time to try it.

 

Elaine found it hard to find a quiet place, and then to silence the turmoil in her brain in order to focus on meditation. She kept thinking of all the things she might be doing instead of sitting in a chair saying a word to herself. But after a few times she did make some headway and got an idea that she might uncover an inner resource this way.

 

She also realized how much useless stuff was crowding her brain. It was a great feeling to gain some control of her mind. But it was tricky to find the time and place to do it. She was afraid someone might see her or find out. She wanted to ask Herb questions but he was now out of touch in Vietnam, so she just reread his few notes and forged ahead.

 

There were ups and downs, but she kept on and after a few weeks knew it was helping her. Michael got upset when she wouldn't answer him during her "spell.” He often seemed jealous of her time to herself. He blabbed about it to some of their friends, who then teased her. She was surprised that these things didn't bother her much. Her new confidence was making it easier to be open to people about what she was doing.

 

Elaine was learning to transcend, a unique feeling of being above it all and wanting not to quit. She told my patient, her in-law, "It feels like two martinis, but it also clears my brain." Elaine's marriage was growing stronger again. Mike even said, "Those trances are good for you," and she didn’t bother to explain they aren’t trances. She realized that she could handle the future whether or not she got pregnant, and regardless of what happened at work. Overeating, drinking, insomnia and depression were easier to control.

 

Knowing that this far out transcendence was always there for her gave Elaine new insight and confidence when facing problems. She was very thankful that meditation was helping her reach her best potential, and was grateful to have her old “mantra friend” always willing and able to lend her peace of mind, refresh her brain, energize her body, and uplift her spirit.