Friday, October 7, 2011

"Black Men Who Meditate"


 Meditation.  It's the mental discipline in which one attempts to get beyond the conditioned, "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness.  During the act of meditation, one attempts to empty the mind of thought, or focus on one particular thought.

The practice of meditation has been around for a very long time, and in the past few decades, has become more familiar and popular in the U.S.  But meditation has been slower to catch on, and is less popular in the African American community, possibly due to the belief of meditation being a "religious" or Buddhist "thing".

Although meditation is a part of some religions, meditation is not a religious practice.  It's more of a spiritual practice and a mental discipline.  Just as not everyone who prays is a Christian, everyone that meditates is not a Buddhist or Hindu.
Numerous studies have been conducted on the benefits of meditation.  Some of the benefits include: stress reduction, increased focus, lowered blood pressure, pain relief, increased creativity, and an increased awareness of one's connection to God.

Despite it being less popular and widely unfamiliar territory, there are Black Men Who Meditate.  Some notable black men that meditate include writer, actor, and film Director Bill Duke, Entrepreneur and music mogul Russell Simmons, and the musical legend, Stevie Wonder.

I started meditating a little over a year ago, and it has been one of the most beneficial things I have ever done in my life.  I rarely get sick with a cold or flu, I can think much clearer, and most of all, it has enabled me to become more conscious of my connection to God.  

I believe that meditation would be of great benefit to the African American culture because of it's proven results of stress reduction, health benefits, and the increasing of one's awareness to our connection to God. 

It is my suggestion that if we can cross the divisive lines of religious and cultural differences, we can be a better people, and a better world.








11 comments:

  1. A couple years ago I recall reading an article concerning Russell Simmons being a big fan of yoga and meditating, and he spoke of many of the same things you've mentioned.

    I agree - seeing as how stress and the ills of stress runs rampart throughout the black community, it would be beneficial is meditation became a daily practice.

    I once attempted, but had no idea what I was doing.

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  2. Meditation is a simple thing that gets better with time. You might have trouble not thinking the first couple of times you do it. The more you do it, the better you get at it.

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  3. Great article. I've started doing meditation and have been doing it for about a month now. I have good and bad sessions, when i just can't clear my head to find center, but the good ones alwasy leave me feeling very mellow and refreshed. I think this is something more people in the black community could benefit from.

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    Replies
    1. Daniel,

      Quick question, how old are you? I had someone from AARP magazine contact me wanting to interview someone 50 plus who started meditating and experienced the benefits of it physically.

      Delete
  4. I'am starting on my journey in meditation any advice

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    Replies
    1. Wow,

      I just saw this message. Somehow my notifications got turned off.

      Have you started?

      Delete
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