Weekly Newsletter: Meditate or Medicate

     Both words meditate and medicate share a similar goal, to make us healthy. Medicate deals more specifically with the physical body whereas meditate deals more with the spirit, soul, or emotional health of the individual. Both words share the concept of better health. Medication may seem like a simple solution — take a pill and be healed, but what is often overlooked is the cause. That is where meditation often yields better results.
    For many health and emotional issues we can meditate in order to avoid medicating. The practice of meditation doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as sitting alone with our thoughts or daydreaming. Better still is the determination to choose which thoughts we will allow influence over us. Will we meditate on love or hate, peace or strife, gentleness or judgment?
      Meditation shouldn’t be hurried, and we don’t have to wait until we are feeling good to begin. The practice should be enjoyable and not something to dread. We don’t have to “succeed.” We simply have to be still, relaxed, and calm. I’m not suggesting we replace medication with meditation. That is an individual’s decision. What I am saying is that meditation can aid in our overall health, and can be a wonderful spiritual practice.