Meditation has the ability to transport the one who is meditating to another place. Despite the noise, glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, many have found a sense of peace, serenity and an inner youth with continued mediation and quiet contemplation.
While there is a definite allure on the Strip, many Las Vegas residents have discovered that removing themselves from the clubs, black jack tables and/or buffets allows them to focus on what is really important to them.
How do you meditate? Some say a mantra repeatedly as they try to clear away thoughts that have taken up residence in their heads. Others read a passage from a spirituality-based book such as the Bible, The Buddha Book or a specific meditation book.
Where you meditate is also important. Author Elizabeth Gilbert recounted her memories of meditation in her memoir “Eat Pray Love” during her time in India. While it is not necessary to travel across the globe to visit a mediation cave as she did, thousands enjoy the opportunity to go to faraway lands to quiet overactive minds.
Las Vegas has several places that are suitable for quiet contemplation. Red Rock Canyon provides a quiet and serene place for solitude. Not only is it absolutely breath-taking, once there, it feels distinctly “non-Vegas like.” Vegas Hot! Yoga & Pilates is now offering a new yoga class that incorporates breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques which aims to help manifest balance and harmony. Finally, every year Canyon Ridge Christian Church has a Prayer Week which includes a number of contemplative exercises including The Prayer Path which is a Christ-centered labyrinth experience. This allows for prayer and meditation at each station.
Research supports meditation as a stress reliever and is often used in conjunction with conventional treatment options to help with anything from anxiety to depression to high blood pressure. Experience has shown that the aforementioned health issues can spiral out of control causing a youthful person to age dramatically. As a result, it appears that the West is finally realizing what the East has known for thousands of years, meditation provides significant health benefits which can include slowing down the aging process.
