Nourish Your Spirit - Benefits Of Reishi For Meditation

February 18, 2023 Vlady H

There are often more stressors in modern life than we realize, from deadlines to disagreements with family members to constant digital demands and distractions. These situations can not only affect us in the moment, but they can also accumulate in the background, occupying mental space and lingering within us.

As far as managing stress and anxiety is concerned, we like to focus on offense rather than defence. In an effort to maintain a sense of balance rather than allowing tension to build and gather energy, which ultimately leads to a crash, meditation practice is one of the tools we could use regularly to stay in the present moment, focused, calm and balanced.

In the Daoist tradition, Reishi is known as a Shen tonic, which loosely translates as a herb that nourishes the spirit

We can be considered to be in our element when we are connected to our Shen essence and allow our personality and radiant spirit to shine.

Reishi has long been recognized for its spiritual potential, with tradition suggesting it can support a calm and harmonious state of being. This reputation is now backed up through scientific understanding.

Reishi’s adaptogenic beta-D-glucans and triterpenes work to soothe the nervous system, helping ease mental tensions. Aligned with this benefit is its ability to help bring about a relaxed, meditative-like state of focus – something valued by those wishing to manage life's stressors, such as spiritual seekers, yogis and meditators alike.

If you have gotten out of the practice of meditation, tried it before and couldn't keep up with it, or are not sure where to begin, you may want to try to meditate while you walk.

The Tibetan Buddhist tradition advises people with restless and agitated minds to practice walking meditation. As you walk slowly in a quiet place and pay attention to your body and sensations, you will be able to bring your mind back to the present moment.

Typically, during walking meditation, you walk in a circle, back and forth in a straight line or in a labyrinth. You can also do walking meditation over a longer distance. The main goal is to keep your focus on the sensations that are emerging in your body while you walk, especially in your feet.

The Anapana meditation (Pali, Sanskrit - ānāpānasmṛti; meaning "mindfulness of breathing”) is another great one to begin with. It teaches you to concentrate on your breath, as it comes in and goes out. It's just about being aware of your breath, observing any sensations that occur below your nostrils and above your upper lip. Do not alter your breath, don't imagine, don't look for any specific sensations. Just observe your breath as it is.