NHS Hospital Visit - Meditation Helps to Reduce Physical Pain

This evening I visited an NHS hospital in Sutton Coldfield to deliver a meditation session as part of an outpatients group organized by Dr Singh a consultant at the hospital.

It was an inspiration to see a group of twenty or so people meditating at the heart of an NHS hospital.

The root of all sickness lies within the mind - meditation practice addresses and works directly with the mind.  It is essential that more people have access to meditation techniques who are undergoing treatment within the NHS. As any Doctor will tell you many diseases are stress related.  The diagnoses of an illness can also increase our existing stress levels. 

In the session we engaged in a twenty minute meditation and then there was a presentation about how meditation can help to heal both the body and the mind.  At the end some of the outpatients asked questions - one asked 'how can meditation help reduce my physical pain when it is really intense'.

We discussed this issue for sometime...
 
I recounted a story of a close friend of mine, who I was with when they died of cancer. They meditated for many years before their illness.  Obviously it was an extremely painful and traumatic circumstance however his family and friend all remarked how strong and calm he was throughout the whole experience. He was practicing meditation thats why.

He was still in pain but was able to some degree ride the pain through his meditation practice.
He was able to do this because he had behind him a strong meditation practice that he could call upon.

Our culture of instant gratification creates an expectation of immediate results.
Instant food, information, entertainment, pleasure, results, friendships, noodles!

This is often why it can be a struggle to maintain a consistent meditation practice. Where are the results!! They come of course - however its like gardening, seeds don't sprout immediately.

If we can build up and sustain a regular meditation practice then we create a strong force for good within our heart which we can call upon when we encounter challenging situations.
So when we experience strong physical pain - yes we can meditate our way through it and even reduce and eradicate it, if we are well prepared.

As Robert Baden-Powel said: "Be prepared!!"