In these accelerated times where it feels like faster is never fast enough, carving out a few moments of peace to catch our breath and reconnect with ourselves can seem like a gargantuan struggle. But as more and more Westerners come to realize the negative impacts of stress and overwork on their performance and well-being, increasing numbers are discovering the surprising powers of meditation to greatly augment all aspects of their lives.
The age-old practice of meditation, now practiced by tens of millions of Westerners ranging from hipster yogis to corporate executives, has gone mainstream. Scientific studies and its expanding mass of devotees are discovering what Buddhists and yoga masters have known for thousands of years: that a dedicated meditation practice has the power to not only restore a sense of calm amidst the demands of daily life, but also to strengthen the mind and body, promote long-term happiness and well-being, and unleash the mind's vast reservoirs of creative potential.
Unleash Your Mind's Potential With the Power of Meditation
Meditation is the tongue of the soul and the language of our spirit.- Jeremy Taylor
How meditation strengthens the mind and body
Studies have begun to reveal the far-reaching impacts a long-term meditation practice can have on our minds and bodies. Meditation lowers blood pressure and generates the slower alpha and theta waves in the brain, and can affect the area of the brain known as the amygdala, which is linked to fear, anxiety, and surprise. This explains the feeling of Zen we get from meditating, which allows us to sail through stressful situations with calm, clarity and a sense of perspective.
But the physiological benefits of meditation go even further than that. Science is increasingly proving what many Eastern traditions have insisted for a long time: that in contrast to the Western notion of a mind-body split (thank you, Descartes), the two are in fact intimately linked. Doctors have begun recommending meditation to patients as a way to deal with a wide range of conditions, including migraines, heart disease, AIDS, cancer, infertility, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, stomach cramps, premenstrual syndrome, and depression. A five-year study in the U.S. even found that people who practice transcendental meditation are 56% less likely to be hospitalized.
Calm the mind, awaken to the beauty of life
People who practice meditation daily (and for long enough -- sorry workaholics, but 5 minutes a day of peace won't cut it) often report feeling as though their bodies have awoken for the first time. They find themselves focusing more attentively on their every movement and activity, and being fully present in every moment. Without the frenetic chorus of their mind to distract them from what their senses are sending them, they can suddenly taste, smell and hear things more vibrantly, and fully savor their surroundings.
We might not be able to slow down time, but the power of meditation to make us more present for every precious minute of life can almost make it feel as though time has slowed.
We might not be able to slow down time, but the power of meditation to make us more present for every precious minute of life can almost make it feel as though time has slowed. This could in part explain why meditation has been shown to promote long-term emotional well-being. A 2003 study by scientists at the University of Wisconsin scanned the brains of people with a long history of Buddhist meditation, and found that their left prefrontal lobes, the part of the brain that's tied to our feel-good emotions, were unusually active. Which means that meditation can actually make you physiologicallyhappier!
Unleash your mind's creative power
For many of us, the fast-paced environment of the modern workplace pushes us to accelerate our thinking, with our performance often measured by our ability to produce more in less time. But as many companies in the creative industries have (belatedly) started to figure out, some things get inevitably sacrificed when the mind is primed to prioritize speed above other factors. Deep thinking, creativity, and problem-solving are all important casualties of our obsession with speed.
Experts believe that the brain has two modes of thought, and that they should be carefully balanced if we're to harness our mind's full powers. Most modern workplaces are powered by what British psychologist Guy Claxton refers to as Fast Thinking, which calls on our rational, linear and analytical abilities. Slow Thinking, by contrast, is intuitive, meandering and creative in nature.
Our most creative thoughts come to us when we calm the mind, and allow ideas to gently bubble up from the depths of our subconscious.
If you've ever felt your greatest ideas come to you when you step away from focusing on it intensely -- to take a walk or a bath, cook dinner, or attend a yoga session, for example -- then you understand that our most creative thoughts come to us when we calm the mind, and allow ideas to gently bubble up from the depths of our subconscious. Creativity, by its nature, is inefficient. That's why many of history's deepest and most creative thinkers, from Charles Darwin to Albert Einstein, were famously slow.
When you meditate, you calm the mind's overheated machinery enough to allow these subconscious thoughts to wind their way to the surface. So if you're looking for ways to tap into your imaginative potential, find a comfortable position, take a deep breathe, and get ready to come along on our guided meditation.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.