The Side Effects of Meditation

There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
– Buddha

Just as most things in life have side effects, it is also true with meditation. These are the side effects I have observed after having had a consistent daily meditation practice for nearly two years:

• Clearer thinking
• More compassion: for self and others
• More creativity
• A greater sense of connection with self and others
• Improved intuition
• More self-confidence
• More self-worth
• A greater sense of calmness (less anxiety, worry, anger and depression: without medication)
• Stress-relief (decompression when moving through the difficulties of life)
• Stress-control (when the shit-hits-the-fan unexpectedly, I find I am more readily equipped to handle the situations without freaking out: completely or partially)
• A greater capacity of love for self and others
• More vivid and memorable dreams
• A greater sense of understanding
• Less fatigue & more energy with a decreased need for stimulants
• An increased ease of learning new things
• An increased tolerance for things that before would annoy the crap out of me
• Less “monkey mind,” bouncing, racing, fear-based thoughts
• A greater awareness of what helps me & hurts me
• A decreased need for sleep
• A greater capacity for happiness
• A greater sense of inner-peace
• Improved vision and ability to see the truth
• A decreased need to be pushy or rush things
• A greater understanding of life and life’s purpose
• Less guilt, shame
• An increased connection and confidence when emotions move through me
• Increased gratitude
• A stronger connection to the Creator
• A greater sense of balance: better daily life choices
• Weight loss as a side effect of side effects: better choices,  less need for comfort foods and beverages (Whiskey-lover, right here)

As a health care practitioner, I felt it my duty to warn you of some of the side effects of Meditation. This list is not comprehensive, it includes everything I could think of in twenty minutes. I’m sure that by this evening, I’ll be “kicking myself” for missing something.

I will say that at first it may not feel that you are doing much when you sit down for the first few times to clear your mind of clutter. Just as water drops can change stone, daily meditation can help you to alter your mind.

So what’s stopping you?

Namaste.

Photo Courtesy of Stuart Miles at Freedigitalphotos.net