Q. Is meditation the key to raising balanced, focused children who perform better academically and creatively?

Meditation forms part of the curriculum in an increasing number of schools. School principles advocate that meditation gives a child ‘power over their thinking, their emotions, not by repressive self-control but by enhanced self-understanding and self-acceptance.’ Furthermore, psychological and behavioural problems such as; hyperactivity, anxiety and aggression are more easily overcome.

Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation is the preferred methodology for an increasing number of schools its simple, effective technique enables the child to enter a deeper state of calm. Benefits include; improved concentration, improved cognitive function (better memory), improved creativity, reduced anxiety and greater awareness.

Over the past decade, we've seen a spectacular rise in the number of fitness centres that have arrived on our doorstep.

This brings with it a new phenomenon, the wide range of exercise programmes on offer, covering anything from the energy filled workouts designed to tone and burn calories through to martial arts and meditation programmes.

More recently, professional and recreational sportspeople have been encouraged to partake in a meditation programme after completing a tough workout.

Sports scientists discovered that meditation helps reduce the production of lactate ‘the acne-inducing by-product of anaerobic exercise’ and recover fitness levels faster.

In meditation one looks to develop, clarity of mind, emotional balance, and physical resilience, it also helps build spatial awareness, mental endurance and pain management.

Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation is an ideal technique for those participating in fitness activities, as it will help you discover a deeper state of calm, unleash pure creativity, achieve mental clarity and establish a balance with a new purpose in life.

People often ask ‘about the purpose of meditation,’ the response from a teacher of meditation is more often ‘why do you meditate? Or, why do you want to start?’

People are well–informed these days about the benefits of meditation, and a question of this nature is almost always asked by someone with an inkling of what meditation can do for them.

However, what teachers of meditation are more interested in, is finding out what they are.

The prolific rise of meditation over the last decade in psychology and medicine means the dominant message is health benefits related. The results of a PubMed search proves this point, simply take a look at the sheer volume they categorise.

Furthermore, research studies appear more focused on what a meditator experiences in meditation, a ‘phenomenological approach, rather than a prescriptive one.’

If meditation is seen mostly from the perspective of what it’s supposed to do, an understanding of what it actually is doing in our lives will be hard to find.

The best time to meditate varies person to person; two factors to consider include schedule and needs.

If you're new to meditation it's important to be consistent. This refers to the time of day in which you meditate every day should be the same.

Optimum times to consider:

1. First thing in the morning — this sets the tone for the entire day. Prior to breakfast and exercise is considered the optimum time to meditate.

2. Whenever you are stressed — use as necessary throughout the day. It’s particularly beneficial when feeling overwhelmed or pressed for time.

   Meditation helps settle the mind leaving you more relaxed, focused and ready for the next challenge.

   'It sounds counterintuitive; I don't have the time to meditate, I have so much to do. It's often the thought of having too much to do rather than actually having too much to do that creates the stress.’

3. On your lunch break — a midday meditation break has its benefits. It's an effective way to de-stress, relax tight muscles caused by sitting for long periods of time at a computer desk.

   Breaking with routine can boost your focus, creativity and productivity. It's also a great awareness building tool enabling you to become more open-minded and accepting of others.

4. End of the working day — meditating at the end of the working day is seen by many as the ideal time to separate work from the rest of daily life.

   Remember, put aside for a few moments, all anxieties concerning everyday life, responsibilities, work, friends and family.

5. Just before bedtime — not usually recommended. Best to leave at least an hour between meditation and bedtime, so they remain separate in your awareness, your body and your habits.

Healthy sleep habits can make a big difference to your quality of life. Having healthy sleep habits often referred to as having good sleep hygiene have a pervasive effect and are crucial to health and well-being at any age.

Try to keep the following sleep practices on a consistent basis:

1. Be regular in your hours. The body develops a daily rhythm called the circadian rhythm which includes the wake-sleep cycle. A regular rhythm will make falling asleep at bedtime easier.

2. Don’t eat too much late at night.

3. Avoid or limit alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants, especially near bedtime. Alcohol may get you to sleep but the sleep will be disturbed with frequent awakenings. The sleep reducing effects of caffeine are well known, nicotine also has the same effect. Prescription or over the counter medicines have similar effects such as some antidepressants, pain medications, decongestants and weight-loss products.

4. Do 30 minutes a day of vigorous exercise, preferably five or more hours before bedtime.

5. De-stress your life as much as possible. Don’t try to cram 25 hours into a 24-hour day.

6. Turn off the TV before bedtime. It is an engaging activity that tends to keep people awake, soaking up premium sleeping time.

7. Use the calming Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation technique before retiring.

When students were asked; ‘what's the purpose of songwriting’, their natural response is: ‘it’s to communicate feelings,’ but after much discussion, it transcends that a ‘song is an art.’

However, for it to be considered a good song, it must pass through ‘a period of sensitivity to a moment of clarity. Without that moment of clarity to contribute to the song, it’s just complaining.’ – Joni Mitchell.

The same students were then asked to visualise the ‘period of sensitivity to a moment of clarity’ Each student was asked to draw the layers of emotion from coarse to refined through to the final moment of clarity? As the students complete the task it’s clear to see that the process of refinement is intimately familiar to anyone who practices the Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation technique.

Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation allows the mind to settle inward at the centre of the body and experience greater levels of refinement until one reaches a higher level — pure consciousness.

Stress is a normal everyday occurrence for those who do not manage their time and efforts well, negative productivity within the workplace is often the result.

‘Stress heightens our response towards a situation. It tells us whether we should stay or run.’ As stress levels increase; the body receives an overload of adrenaline leading to higher levels of anxiety and hyperactivity.

In order to be calm; you must find a better approach to the cause of stress. One option is to meditate.

Here are the top five reasons why you should try Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation:

1. Health improves
2. You will sleep better, dream more vividly
3. Feel less-stressed
4. Mental clarity improves
5. And it boosts creativity

Self-centredness and selfishness are hallmarks of the ego. The ego is neither good nor bad except when self-centredness dominates our thoughts, feelings and perceptions of life.

A positive sense of self, gives us confidence and purpose but a more negative and selfish aspect of the ego makes us less concerned about other people’s feelings, it thrives on the idea of me first and impels us to cry out ‘What about me? What about my feelings?’

When we see that self-centredness does not lead to happiness, we yearn for something more genuine. When we realise the pit of meaninglessness and emptiness inside is never truly satiated no matter how much we feed it or when we have just had enough of chaos and suffering, then the longing for change arises.

Which brings us to the importance of Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation? Without such a practice of self-reflection, we are subject to the ego’s every whim and have no way of putting a brake on its demands.

Meditation, on the other hand, gives us the space to see ourselves clearly and objectively, a place from which we can witness our own behaviour and reduce the ego’s influence. Ed and Deb Shapiro

In many cases running and meditation are similar. Runners need to focus on there breathing while at the same time staying attuned to your surroundings. These are the same principles of meditation.

A key component of running is 'laying the foundation' which means, gradually strengthening your body to become used to running, a process not too dissimilar to developing the mind through meditation. The language used to describe training our bodies can be applied to training the mind.

If you meditate regularly, you may find yourself reacting less intensely to business challenges, listening more intently when talking with customers, and having more creative insights about your work.

Here are three ways Vijja Dhammakaya Mediation (VDM) can improve your business:

1. Improved Health
Studies show that people who meditate can lower their cholesterol, drop their blood pressure, and prevent serious problems such as heart attacks or strokes. How? Many health conditions are brought on or worsened by stress. Stress creates inflammation in the body, and long-term inflammation is now thought to be responsible for many health problems. Meditation, on the other hand, relaxes the mind and body thereby reducing stress and its physical effects resulting in a lower rate of absence from work.
2. Greater insights
Once you start quieting the ongoing chatter of your mind (such as concerns about money or difficult employees), more useful thoughts can bubble up, your intuition may improve. These insights could help you develop a new product, try a new marketing approach, or figure out how to handle a challenging customer.
3. Better relationships
Meditation teaches you to listen more deeply to your inner self. Once you learn this skill, you naturally do the same with others. You may listen more attentively to customers and colleagues, this helps you better respond to their needs. Clients appreciate it more when business owners don’t talk over them or always seem to be rushing to their next appointment.

Entrepreneurs, business leaders and scientists need to adapt: ‘command and control,’ ‘supply and demand,’ ‘profit and loss’ are fast transforming into a globally distributed, mobile ‘Facebook Generation’ of self-organising innovative networks and businesses in the future will look for leaders who are agile enough lead them.

So, How are our emerging business leaders learning to master such agility? Dancers attend academies and acrobats have gymnasiums where they relentlessly practice and perfect their art. And, not surprising, it's in the halls of our corporate and educational institutions where we find our leaders engaging an emerging field of agility training: young leaders learning to sit still for extended periods of time on meditation cushions.

The Drucker School of Management and Wharton Business School offer courses in meditation. Google provide access for all employees to partake in a meditation programme. Aetna, Merck Sharp & Dohme are among those that are exploring the introduction of meditation into their training programmes. And the benefits are widely publicised: sustained attention span, strengthened immune system, improved multi-tasking skills, increased mental intelligence, improved listening skills, and science concurs such claims. Research infers that sitting still for defined periods of time is a very healthy thing to do.

Female entrepreneurs meditate more than other people, why? The general consensus according to Grainne McKeown an entrepreneur who meditates daily is that when you do something meditative; it becomes obvious what you should do with your life. And when that appears, you just do it, and that’s entrepreneurship.

The reason why an entrepreneur adopts meditation; is that at the beginning of a business they tend to do everything, and there’s no way you can be successful unless you have a method to get your mind quiet, and it allows you to focus. Meditation and entrepreneurship are about being active rather than passive taking control of life; rather than allowing it to happen. Becky Beaupre Gillespie

The Vijja Dhammakaya mantra 'Samma Arahang' is derived from the Pali Tipitaka. 'Samma' translates as right, highest or ultimate. It refers to 'Samma Sambuddho' the Buddha's supreme right enlightenment or supreme right wisdom. 'Arahang' translates as a virtue of Buddha being far from passion. Combined the two words 'Samma Arahang' signify — perfect purity. Therefore, in repeating the words 'Samma Arahang' you are bringing Buddha's wisdom and purity into your mind. In addition, mentally repeating the mantra 'Samma Arahang' prevents the mind from wandering instead it allows the mind to rest at the centre of the body, inside the crystal sphere as it grows larger, brighter and clearer.

Meditation is a growing business trend that may be coming soon to an office near you.

Nikki Prentice, an assistant general counsel at Blake Dawson’s Sydney office, participated in an introductory meditation course offered by her firm, and can now achieve sharper and longer periods of concentration. ‘I’m better at recognising and letting go of distracting thoughts and I’m better at prioritising the task at hand,’ she says. ‘I can focus on research or drafting for longer periods before feeling the need to check my email.’

Research is fast concluding that sitting still for defined periods of time is a very healthy thing to do. What do you think?

Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation enables you to focus the mind to achieve a state of peace, stillness and deep relaxation. Meditating during pregnancy is one of the most important things you can do, for you and your baby because when you take the time to feel fully relaxed, the oxygen supply to your baby increases. The time spent during meditation is also important as it helps you connect with your unborn child. It is a time of nurturing and a time of peace. Take twenty to thirty minutes each day to take care of your body, mind and spirit, to renew and let go of all worries and stress.

Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation enables you to access your core strengths that lie at the centre of the body.

Meditation helps create a connection with your inner-self that allows the release of all anxieties and tension pertaining to your everyday life. Health, happiness and success are all locked within anxiously awaiting their release. Searching for happiness outside ourselves often leads to expectations and frustration, the more attention you devote to objects and relationships as your source of happiness the more frustrated you become, experiencing anger and a loss of control, all of which impacts on the mind.

Your emotions have a profound effect on your health and stress exerts a terrible toll on the body. Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation has been scientifically proven to improve well-being; it will help you find peace and wisdom from within.

The best thing you can do for your career is to network, promote yourself, ask for raises etc., that’s the advice young people are often given. Arden Pennell programme director for the ‘Business Insider,’ says the most valuable lesson he learned was to practice meditation.

Meditation conditions your brain so you can think of it as a workout. For example; when you go to the gym you lift weights, you work your biceps or thighs? Well, when you meditate you actually work on strengthening the front parts of the brain. Getting those parts of the brain to talk to each other to communicate better. Research has proven meditation increases our ability to concentrate, particularly when there is a lot of chaos around, it also allows you to stay focused, more grounded.

One solution according to a study by Harvard Medical School found meditation calmed performance anxiety in professional musicians, public speakers as well as those attending job interviews. Vanessa Muncrief a physical therapist who works with dancers at New York’s Harkness Centre for dance injuries, suggests this also applies to dancers or to anyone who has to perform in front of an audience. ‘When the body and mind are in sync you achieve a feeling more commonly referred to as ‘performance flow.’

Muncrief recommends a short session of meditation before heading onstage. ‘Focus your mind at the centre of the body should any thoughts enter your mind acknowledge them then, use the mantra in Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation to calm the mind and let them go. Regular practice just as in dance is key for decreasing anxiety and upping performance levels’ according to Muncrief.

A recent Manchester University study found that while meditation doesn't change the actual sensory experience of pain, it does reduce your emotional response. Often it is not the pain itself but the fear of pain that is so problematic. The emotions and the feelings of powerlessness created when we feel fear can create a sense of panic and stress that only heightens the physical sensation of pain. Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation, in contrast, reduces these feelings and therefore, the unpleasantness of pain.

Good news for expectant mums is that you don't need years of meditation experience to benefit from this natural pain relief, the research found that as little as 30-minutes a day can improve your perception of pain. – Carolyn Cox

‘Meditation is a relaxing way to not only improve our mental well-being but also hold off the effects of ageing, according to new medical research.’

Modern life is full of stress. Although we’ve reached a high-level of health and well-being our hectic pace of life often increases tension and worry. ‘Paying attention to our thoughts and feelings… can improve our mental wellbeing,’ according to the NHS Choices website.

Research suggests we not only achieve peace of mind through meditation but gain some physical and mental well-being benefits too. One aspect that’s not so widely known is the anti-ageing benefits, a report in ‘The Journal of Behavioural Medicine’ found ‘meditators significantly have higher levels of the youth hormone DHEA.’ This hormone helps ‘decrease stress, heighten memory, preserve sexual function and control weight.’ The International Journal of Neuroscience found those who have meditated for five years or more were ‘12 years younger physiologically than their chronological age.’