Practicing Mindfulness|禅修

Practicing Mindfulness

by Leigh Goldberg

Meditation can improve creative thinking, raise energy levels, and lower stress.

　　Upon the mention of the word meditation, most people picture a spiritual person sitting in the lotus position with their eyes closed and in a state of complete Zen. Contrary _(1)_ this perception, meditation is so much more than this stereotypical image. The practice of being mindful can be done sitting as described above or in a more _(2)_ way with prayer beads and chanting. In fact, it can even be done _(3)_ one is going through one's usual day-to-day activities, such as walking to work, waiting for the bus, and even having a meal.

　　In broad terms, meditation is the internal practice of training one's mind to regulate all the noise, desires, and problems in one's life. On one _(4)_, it can be as simple as trying to clear the mind to ease the body. On the other, it can require the individual to generate a problematic emotional state like anger or hatred in order to analyze, acknowledge, and _(5)_ it. Being mindful can be challenging at times, but with a bit of training and regular practice, one can cultivate a more peaceful life while simultaneously enjoying its _(6)_.

　　For many people, meditation does to the mind what working out does to the body, _(7)_ it stronger and more flexible. Countless studies have shown that practicing mindfulness can lower blood pressure, increase one's pain threshold, aid in weight loss, facilitate _(8)_ sleep at night, and enhance one's ability to be compassionate. Additionally, meditation helps people get a handle on anxiety, addiction, _(9)_, eating disorders, and stress in particular. By having more _(10)_ over the brain, people are able to find peace with the powerful practice of meditation.

(A) depression (B) while (C) sounder (D) control (E) to

(F) hand (G) making (H) benefits (I) active (J) release

 

 

禅修

冥想可以增进创意的思维、提升能量等级并且减轻压力。

　　说到『冥想』这个字汇，大多数的人都会想象一个灵修的人以盘腿姿势打坐，闭上双眼进入一种完全禅修的状态。其实与这种认知正好相反，冥想的意义远远超过其刻板印象。禅修可以像上面所说的坐着进行，或是搭配念珠及诵经等更积极的方式来进行。但是其实在日常的活动中，象是走路去上班、等公交车时，甚至吃饭时都可以进行禅修。

　　广义而言，冥想是训练个人内在心灵的做法，用来控制生活中所有外在的喧闹声、欲望以及难题。一方面，它可以是很单纯的，就像试着将心灵净化好让身体放松一般。而另一方面，它可能需要个人引发出象是愤怒或憎恨的问题情绪状态，以便能分析、辨别并将其释放出来。『禅』有时相当有挑战性，但是搭配一些训练和经常的练习，便可养成一种更安宁平静的生活，同时也能享受它所带来的好处。

　　对很多人来说，冥想之于心灵就犹如运动之于身体，它能让我们的心灵变得更坚强且更灵活。不计其数的研究显示，练习『禅』可以降低血压、增加对疼痛的忍耐力、帮助减肥、促进晚上较良好的睡眠质量以及增加一个人的慈悲心。此外，冥想也帮助人们处理焦虑、成瘾、忧郁、及饮食障碍等问题，尤其在调节压力方面。藉由多掌控自己的大脑，人们就能运用强大的冥想方式找到平静。

 

答案： 1. E 2. I 3. B 4. F 5. J

6. H 7. G 8. C 9. A 10. D