AFM: Who can benefit from meditation?

JM: Everyone can benefit from meditation. Meditation is simply a practice to relax and calm the mind and body by focusing on the present moment. Current Meditation in Phoenix was launched to help educate people that anyone can—and should—meditate. No matter your experience level, comfort level, goals, obstacles or personal challenges, Current Meditation’s team encourages you to seek out the world from within yourself and gain control of your own thoughts and feelings, and help focus on meditation as part of a regular routine.

 AFM: What are some benefits of meditation?

JM: There are many benefits of meditation, and these can differ with each person. It is a powerful practice in that it can affect all measures of health in a positive way. Meditation allows us to develop a greater sense of compassion, love, patience, generosity and forgiveness toward ourselves and others. The practice of regular mediation can even influence our minds in extoradinary ways. Significant benefits such as enhanced creativity, increased strength of memory, reduction of stress, fear, anxiety, and depression, along with heathier relationships and improved communication have also been recorded.

AFM: How would you recommend meditation for those who are busy?

JM: Start off by simply bringing mindfulness into everyday activities.  Always bring full attention to anything that you are doing. This will bring you into the present moment. This is a simple form of what would be considered an informal meditation. After this, try to practice in a supportive group, as opposed to sitting along.