How to tap into the healing power of meditation

Wellness

By Issy von Simson

August 20, 2024

There was a significant sea change in the mid 2010s in public perceptions of mindfulness and meditation. With the launch of trailblazing apps, led by the brilliant Headspace and competitors such as Calm, Breethe and Mindfulness, the concept of meditation bubbled up yet again in our general consciousness. The apps brought this ancient practice right there into the palms of people’s hands. It was an awakening for a new generation.

The simplicity of the tools on offer and the language used by the apps challenged the assumption that meditation was some kind of elevated higher power, that it was complex, distant and required years of dedication. They busted the myths that you had to decamp to the foothills of the Himalayas and check into a Rishikesh ashram as The Beatles did in the 1960s. Or that you ought to submit to a six-month programme at a guru’s retreat in California, or join devotees including Oprah Winfrey, Donna Karan and Demi Moore and read Deepak Chopra’s books from cover to cover, as was the way in the 1990s. Instead, suddenly this healing modality was shown to be accessible, relevant, something that was entirely achievable for all, that needed no equipment, no set up and no application other than a little time and a lot of concentration.

The simplified goal of meditation is learning how to maintain mental focus. In a modern, fast-paced world as frenetic as ours, that is such an important tool. The origins of meditation, though, of course run deep in the seams of history. The practice was described in the ancient Vedic texts of India in the sixth century BC and also in the Torah and Hellenic philosophy, but it clearly existed long before the oral traditions were written down. It was a concept that threaded its way, independently, through Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism and Judaism, amongst many religions. Historically, the point of the devoted contemplation has been to seek spiritual awakening. These days, the goal is more mainstream and more secular: to find a sense of calm amid the noise.

The benefits of meditation on physical health are impressive. Studies point towards a lowered heart rate, improved sleep quality, increased pain tolerance and the potential to slow neurodegeneration and delay cognitive decline. And the benefits on mental health make a list as long as an arm – learning to quieten the mind, creating feelings of peacefulness, discovering how to achieve contentment and recognise balance, reducing stress and staying centred. The improved mental resilience that meditation brings about feels increasingly more crucial. As we look forward to World Mental Health Day this coming October, it’s worth considering taking the time for a pause and a reboot to remember to look after your emotional wellbeing.

Therapists at Mandarin Oriental hotels including The Landmark Hong Kong, New York, Miami, Hyde Park London and Costa Navarino can organise guided meditation sessions on request.

About the Author

Issy von Simson

Formerly the Editor-in-Chief of Loupe and Editor of Condé Nast Traveller, Issy writes for T+L, The Times, The Telegraph, BOAT and ES magazine and is the author of Secret Stays, published by Assouline.