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.
