Career in Meditation

RANJAN K BARUAH

EDUCARE

 We should know that according to archaeologists, meditation dates back to 5,000 BCE, and the practice itself has ties in ancient Egypt and China, Judaism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism. Additionally estimates suggest that between 200 and 500 million people practice meditation worldwide. There is no doubt that meditation can help reduce stress, blood pressure and anxiety, promote emotional health, enhance self-awareness and improve sleep.

We are discussing meditation and how we can choose it as a career path for ourselves. It is an earliest practice that involves focusing one’s concentration on the present moment. Rooted in religious, yogic, and secular traditions across cultures, meditation has been practiced for thousands of years. Today, it is embraced worldwide, transcending its spiritual origins to become a universal mechanism for personal well-being and mental health.

The most recognized definition of meditation generally describes it as a practice where an individual uses techniques such as mindfulness, focused attention, or concentrated thought to train the mind and achieve a state of mental clarity, emotional calmness, and physical relaxation.

There are diverse types of meditation, each offering unique approaches to achieving calm, clarity, and balance. Research underscores its ability to reduce stress, improve focus and emotional balance, alleviating anxiety and depression, and enhance sleep quality. It also contributes to better physical health, including lowering blood pressure and managing pain.

Technology has further expanded access to meditation, with apps and online platforms enabling individuals to practice anywhere and anytime. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the significant benefits of meditation, particularly mindfulness meditation. WHO's discussions on stress management underscore the importance of learning coping mechanisms, such as meditation, to support mental and physical well-being.

The WHO acknowledges the mental health benefits of practices like yoga, which often incorporate meditative elements. To raise awareness about meditation and its benefits, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 December as World Meditation Day, recalling the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

There are courses related to meditation in different parts of India which cover a range of meditation techniques, including mindfulness, Vedic Japa, Vipassana, Kundalini, and more. These courses can be suitable for those who want to teach meditation or deepen their own practice. Courses are available for beginners who want to deepen their practice and learn about the relationship between the mind and meditation.

One may choose the course for self or to impart training to others. We have already seen the mental stress amongst people due to work pressure and other issues. Meditation can be one of the best tools to keep balance in life and get rid of many mind issues. There are demands for experts in educational institutions, corporate to impart mediation.

One may not get a direct job in the government sector but they may work with the government and get engaged in many other ways for which apart from becoming an expert in mediation they must have other skills. Patience, good communication skills are a must apart from other skills. (With direct inputs from UN publication)

 (The write is a Career Mentor and Skill Trainer and currently the Advisor, Skill Employment and Entrepreneurship Department of Bodoland Territorial Council and can be reached at bkranjan@gmail.com or 8473943734)