Bart Mendel is the founder of Memory Works, a free, online meditation system designed to help a wide range of people experience the transformative benefits of meditation firsthand. Mendel has studied and taught meditation for over 35 years, and he is now reaching a wider audience through online interviews and essays.
Dementia can be a harrowing condition to experience, especially if you don’t know where to turn or anything about complementary therapies. Today, we’ll explore Bart Mendel’s beliefs and reasoning to provide a better understanding of how invaluable meditation can be for people with dementia.
Mendel’s 35 years of experience in meditation
Mendel began meditating from a young age, eager to see its benefits on mood, the body and the meaning of life. While there’s nothing wrong with the persuasive influences of modern routines, such as money or social media, they have the power to prevent us from seeking things that bring us happiness and real value in life.
Mendel has been taught by several excellent meditation teachers, but what strikes him most about them isn’t their ability. It’s more the fact that they’re genuinely amazing people, with plenty of kindness and wisdom to share. He believes that meditation is the root cause of this, and practising can help us become the best versions of ourselves through positive and powerful thinking.
The idea of Memory Works came from Mendel and his family, who realised that some of the traditions to which they belonged, including Buddhism, were an obstacle for some people. He wanted to create a way of presenting meditation to the world as an accessible tool free from the baggage of religion and culture. Memory Works was the solution: a free meditation training tool featuring courses and daily practice sessions.
The essence of meditation: what is it?
Meditation can mean different things to different people, but Mendel believes its core value is the ability to focus the mind on what’s happening in the present moment. Otherwise known as ‘mindfulness’, this can be used in several ways to boost overall wellbeing and quality of life. However, none of this is possible without the ability to focus the mind on what it’s doing as soon as you ask the question.
Mendel’s Memory Works considers meditation as split into two stages: the first being mindfulness, and the second being awareness. The first stage brings focus and clarity, which you can use as a stepping stone to go even further. Through awareness, you can begin to work on yourself from within, such as breaking down barriers of negative habitual patterns you may associate with certain people or situations.
Mendel believes this is an effective way of becoming a better, kinder human being. He states: “Mindfulness is very powerful in itself, but the second step (the awareness) is where you begin to soar, and live a full human life, benefiting others and improving your own situation at the same time. And this is what to me gives life meaning.”
How meditation can improve later life experiences
Many people see meditation as a lifelong practice best suited to younger people, but there’s no reason why anyone should believe it’s too late for them to exercise their mind. Older adults have the same moment of here as a younger person does, and that’s all you need for an effective mindfulness practice.
Working with your mind is one of the best ways to continue stimulating your brain and slowing down the signs of ageing. Many people fear the idea of getting older, as well as developing health issues later in life. Mendel believes that meditation can help people of all ages become more at peace with the idea through the reduction of fear and anxiety.
Another benefit is that you can meditate from anywhere. Whether you’re outside in nature, at work or even bedridden, you can still practice mindfulness and awareness to bring yourself peace.
Benefits of meditation for older adults
There are several physiological benefits of meditation, including:
- Reduces the risk of memory-related problems
Some researchers believe that meditation can reduce your chances of developing memory-related problems, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Although the evidence is inconclusive, numerous anecdotal stories support this claim.
- Exercise your mind
Similar to how working out at a gym can strengthen your physical body, exercise can enhance certain areas of your brain. The more resilient they become, and less prone to sickness.
- Lowers blood pressure
To help you feel calmer, it has a physiological effect on blood pressure, lowering it. This can help you become more capable of dealing with challenges with a clearer head, preventing stress from clouding your judgment.
Potential downsides to meditation
While there aren’t many barriers to meditation, Mendel does recognise that it’s not an easy practice. Mindfulness requires a commitment to regularly sit down and work on your mind, especially in a world where distractions and a fear of boredom are becoming increasingly common.
One of the most challenging things about meditation is its simplicity. We are often told that it’s beneficial to keep busy with work, social activities and family life. However, the ability to switch off and focus on mindfulness is a skill that needs to be learned and nurtured to be perfected.
Turning distractions off and being alone with your thoughts can be a daunting idea to some people. You have to get used to ‘doing nothing’, and that takes time and patience. However, the benefits of meditation are so powerful that Mendel urges you to try it anyway.
Understanding you are more than your thoughts
Mendel firmly believes that low self-image is a major issue in today’s society, and it’s only exacerbated by the media, advertising, and negative messages the public is exposed to. These outlets like to magnify our ‘faults’ and broadcast them for everyone to see, making us feel ‘less than’ with a negative impact on confidence and personal worth.
Meditation aims to fix this by focusing on our kindness, compassion and confidence. Instead of highlighting what’s ‘wrong’ with us, mindfulness homes in on what’s right. Your view on the world often changes when you improve your self-worth, which is incredibly important later in life when society starts to consider you ‘frail’ or of lower value than younger minds. Instead of focusing on your shortcomings, honour your wealth of experience and knowledge.
While it can be challenging to repackage these thoughts and beliefs, meditation is an excellent way to prevent us from taking ourselves too seriously. Meditation requires you to focus on your breath. Between each one, a thought will often appear. Take it, notice it, and return your attention to your breath.
This allows you to pay attention to the negative ideas without letting them consume your mind for too long. You can acknowledge the idea without believing it or giving it the power to influence your mood and confidence. Many people find this experience liberating and freeing.
Can meditation help people already diagnosed with dementia?
Yes, especially in the early stages of dementia when symptoms are not too prevalent to interfere with mindfulness. Several mindfulness practices can help alleviate symptoms of dementia, including mind-body therapies. For example, Kirtan Kriya meditation is believed to improve memory, reduce anxiety and enhance mood and sleep.
There are hundreds of different meditation options to choose from that are suitable for people with dementia. As Mendel says, you can even practice while in bed. There’s something for everyone, provided they are willing to make an effort and adjust to the idea of doing nothing for a while.
Mendel notes that meditation sessions don’t have to be long. Many people assume meditation sessions need to be 30 minutes of uninterrupted thinking, but that’s not the case. Some people find that short sessions, even five minutes, done more frequently, are an excellent way to draw focus and attention.
While meditation can’t undo the structural brain damage that dementia causes, it may be able to improve psychological well-being and cognitive function. It can reduce stress, depression and anxiety, and improve attention and emotional regulation. Guided meditation sessions are an excellent starting point for people with dementia.
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