Are you sure calming is only a byproduct? When the mind is calm you are more likely to think creatively and laterally. Wouldn't "intuition" then be the byproduct?
Yes. I'm sure. Meditation is for attaining altered states of consciousness. Calming is a byproduct of meditation, caused by the knowledge you acquire, and by the habit of relaxing, a necessary step in meditation. Creativity isn't related to being calm. I don't know what is lateral thinking, and if it is desirable. Intuition isn't a byproduct of meditation, it is a stage of evolvement of the consciousness. If you want to achieve any of the above, a quicker and more controllable way is self-hypnosis. I am pretty familiar with these terms. You might be too, but have a different opinion, and, using different definitions for some words adds to our apparent difference of opinions. edit: There are several good books, DVDs, articles about improving your golf score with self-hypnosis.
Benson's book was kind of a reaction to the TM 'movement', which took a really simple and effective technique and built a belief-system around it. Thus, when people ask me what meditation is all about, I follow his suggestion just to pick a simple sound/word, and "One" works as well as anything. So that was a good catch!
Focus, clarity and over long sessions 3plus hours practiced daily long term it has been shown to rewire the brain. 20 min 5am , 20 min 10pm for me, I have gone 1plus hours when time is available. Listen to the Devi prayer. I use a 1” mat and a meditation bench. Crossed leggged not good for me after 10 min. We have a Buddhist temple here in homestead and they walk in silence to meditate. Mantra is “ love” . When I wonder off I focus on breathe 4 sec out, 4 sec hold, 4 sec in, 4 sec hold, repeat. Over the summer when not having to take son to school I go to the oceans shore . Peace
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