The Power of Silence
The hectic pace of modern life may be rewarding. Overcoming professional challenges may give us a sense of achievement. But the wear and tear of daily life can leave us exhausted. You wonder whether this is all there is to life. Something is missing. You feel the need to slow down, reflect on your life and find meaning. You want to stop all that noise in your mind. You need to feel the power of silence. You need to meditate.
Meditation—Relaxation and Beyond
Scientific studies have revealed that Acem Meditation provides deeper relaxation than ordinary rest; on some accounts even quicker benefits than what can be gained from sleep. Such relaxation comes as a natural biological response and works as an antidote against stress. During meditation, muscle tension is released, and breathing becomes slower and more relaxed. Blood pressure tends to go down. The body’s production of stress hormones is reduced, and your mood tends to change in a healthy direction. In some cases, meditation is known to alleviate stress-related aches and pains. But meditation is not just about relaxation. It is a journey which will help you discover your actual self, by slowly unraveling the layers of conditioning and illusions in your mind.
What is Acem?
Acem is an international non-profit organization devoted to establishing an understanding and teaching of meditation in Europe, India and other parts of the world. Acem Meditation is based on modern psychology and scientific research. It is free of any particular religion, belief system or political ideology. The activities of the organization seek to address basic existential questions. It is devoted to helping people live better lives through self-realization and personal growth.
Acem was founded in Oslo, Norway by Dr. Are Holen in 1966. He is a psychologist, physician and a world renowned expert in stress psychiatry. He spent in his early years time in India studying Sanskrit, and comparing and exploring different meditative techniques. Mr. Torbjorn Hobbel has been guiding Acem India since the start in 1996.
The Acem Way
In Acem Meditation, you repeat a meditation sound mentally without effort, while thoughts and impressions are allowed to come and go freely. There is no attempt at emptying the mind. The point is not to control your thoughts, but to produce greater inner freedom. Thoughts and impressions are allowed to come and go freely. In Acem, the focus is on the process of meditation and not on achieving a particular state of mind.
Physical and Mental Relaxation
You just sit comfortably in a chair with eyes closed, practicing a simple mental technique, allowing a deep relaxation to take hold of body and mind. The important thing is you don’t try to relax. Relaxation comes naturally. Stress and worries gradually give way to a calmer frame of mind. Afterwards you feel refreshed, energized and often more creative. The anti-stress effects of Acem Meditation are confirmed by scientific research. Blood pressure and heart rate are reduced, the immune system is strengthened, performance under pressure is enhanced, and brain waves show deep relaxation.
Acem Meditation – A Path to Self-Discovery
Regular practice of Acem Meditation has the potential to fulfill a need within you that transcends the basic needs for food, shelter and intimacy. It inspires deep reflection about the nature of life. The long-term practice helps you to address core questions about the nature of existence. The inner freedom evolved through Acem Meditation may initiate fascinating processes of self-understanding and personal growth. See these testimonials of people who have been practicing Acem for a long time.
How Do I Start?
To learn Acem Meditation, you must enroll in a beginner’s course. It is easy to learn and practice, but must be learned from accomplished instructors. You cannot learn the method from the Internet, a CD, or a book. Acem encourages meditators to meet and discuss each other’s meditation experiences as group discussions which improve understanding of the technique and enhances the personal process. It may also help you to get back on track if you have got out of the habit. Visit your nearest Acem Center to get started.
The Annual Retreats
In addition to the beginner’s course, there are opportunities for deeper exploration of Acem Meditation. The most fruitful of these are the retreats Acem arranges annually in India and in other countries in Europe and Asia. These retreats with their extended periods of silence provide the right ambience to access new dimensions of external and internal existence. See Acem Meditation Retreats in India for detailed information.