Meditation The Best Vacation for the Mind

By Claudia Llop
Transcendental meditation, certified instructor from Banderas Bay
Did you know that everything we see, smell, touch, hear, taste, and the experience becomes information for our brain to process while sleeping? Let me clarify. Movies, news, gossip from social media, your favorite playlist, that new series from a famous streaming source at work, family issues, driving in the traffic of Puerto Vallarta, even your shopping list or mom´s new cake, all are information that will keep your mind busy at night. More information means less time to sleep. Less time sleeping means more stress. More stress leads to health problems.
According to the WHO these are some causes of stress at work:
- Job insecurity
- Lack of promotion opportunities
- Under or over promoted
- Work of low social value
- Piece-rate payment schemes
- Unclear or unfair performance evaluation systems
- Being over or under-skilled for a job
But also emotional pressure causes stress: feelings like anger, sadness, frustration, happiness, love, loneliness, etc., so stress is physical, emotional, and psychological such as PTSD or being the victim of domestic violence.
We know how stress affects our health in many different ways. But what we often don't know, is how to deal with it and more importantly, how to get rid of it. Many people use therapy, which is great, some others spend hours at the gym, though few try using yoga – beautiful by the way. But something is missing because we often still feel tired or anxious. So, we take ourselves on vacations. Nothing is more relaxing than spending some time on the beach, one of the huge attractions of Puerto Vallarta. The entire Banderas Bay is a great place to forget about stress. But let´s be honest. After a few days, stress often creeps back in.
So it is not just about the place or the activities we do, it´s about getting rest. When we are sick, doctors often tell us, “Try to get as much rest as you can”. Getting rest is especially important for releasing stress and strains. As simple as it sounds, most find it exceedingly difficult. It seems that we forgot how to relax, rest, and enjoy life, even when in a paradise-like Banderas Bay.
That´s why rest is so important, it allows our mind to vacation every day. And a simple way to do this is by practicing Meditation. As you know, many people around the world are practicing this effortless technique. Students, teachers, doctors, military personnel, artists, and even many celebrities (Paul McCartney, Clint Eastwood, Katy Perry, Jerry Seinfeld, Tom Hands, Opra Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and some others)
Here is what some of them say about it:
“I have been a meditator for years, but recently learned TM. It has been a game-changer for me... Overall, I am more balanced and at ease.” Peg Samuel Founder of Social Diva Media
“Transcendental Meditation? Love it!” Tom Brady
“Nothing has ever opened my eyes as Transcendental Meditation has. It makes me calm and happy and it gives me peace and quiet in what's a pretty chaotic life!”— Hugh Jackman
“I taught Katy Perry, Tom Hanks, Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, and Lena Dunham how to use Transcendental Meditation (TM) because of its ability to increase clarity, focus, and resilience,” says Bob Roth, executive director of the David Lynch Foundation.
“I'm trying to listen deeply, and the beginner's mind is informing me to step back so that I can create what wants to be, not what was,” Marc Benioff
"I started Transcendental meditation in 1973 and have not missed a single meditation ever since. Twice a day, every day. It has given me effortless access to unlimited reserves of energy, creativity, and happiness deep within. This level of life is something called ´pure consciousness´- it is a treasury. And this level of life is deep within us all". David Lynch
People from Banderas Bay are learning it too. With incredible benefits. But what is this TM about?
Transcendental Meditation is a simple, natural, effortless technique practiced 20 minutes twice each day while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed.
The TM technique allows your active mind to easily settle inward, through quieter levels of thought, until you experience the most silent and peaceful level of your awareness — pure consciousness.
The TM technique is so easy and enjoyable that anyone can do it, even children with ADHD.
- No concentrating
- No control of the mind
- No monitoring of thoughts (mindfulness)
- No trying to “empty the mind”
More than 600 peer-reviewed research studies on the TM technique have been published in over 160 scientific journals. These studies were conducted at many U.S. and international universities and research centers, including the Harvard Medical School, Stanford Medical School, Yale Medical School, and the UCLA Medical School.
Benefits: Reduced Stress and Anxiety, Decreased Depression, Reduced Insomnia, Lower Blood Pressure, Decreased Cholesterol, Reduced Congestive, Heart Failure, Reduced Atherosclerosis/Stroke, Decreased Free Radicals, Reduced Metabolic Syndrome/ Pre-Diabetes, Reduced Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Reduction in Pain, Higher Levels of Brain Functioning, Improved Intelligence, Creativity and Learning Ability, Improved Academics, Improved School Behavior, Benefits for Special and Remedial Education, Improved Integration of Personality, Increased Longevity, and Reduced Substance Abuse.
* To ensure the success of each student, the Transcendental Meditation technique is taught exclusively by certified teachers over four consecutive sessions. The first session of the TM course is always face to face, but the following three can be done either in-person or remotely with our new custom app (availability varies by location) and zoom.
Travis F, Haaga DA, Hagelin J, Tanner M, Nidich S, Gaylord-King C, Grosswald S, Rainforth M, Schneider RH. Effects of Transcendental Meditation practice on brain functioning and stress reactivity in college students. International Journal of Psychophysiology 2009 71(2):170-176
Wenneberg SR, Schneider RH, McLean C, Levitsky DK, Walton KG, Mandarino JV, Salerno JW, Wallace RK, Waziri R. A controlled study of the effects of Transcendental Meditation on cardiovascular reactivity and ambulatory blood pressure. International Journal of Neuroscience 1997 89(1/2):15-28