There’s a nation with 330 million people, bordering the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It’s a global superpower and is also one of the largest nations by land in the world, coming in at the fourth. The largest city in this country is New York City, with 8.8 million residents as of August. It’s a “melting pot”, a nation of immigrants who come to start a new life.
No points for guessing what this country is – The United States of America. The United States is near the top of almost every chart, whether Olympic medal counts or meditation.
…
What?
Yes, America is growing into a deeply spiritual nation as meditation, mindfulness, and other Eastern principles start to trickle in. These are quickly adapted by the stressed-out public of the country, especially on the West and East Coasts.
Don’t believe me? Take a look at some of these stats, and these numbers are growing by the day.
1. 55% of all Americans meditate
And out of these 55%, 40% meditate regularly (about once a week).
2. Meditation has been adopted in several American schools
As of 2012, 91 public schools in 13 states have made meditation a part of the curriculum. High schoolers who practice daily meditation had 25% fewer class absences and 38% fewer suspension days.
Wondering what the thirteen states are? Here you go:
- California (41 schools)
- Pennsylvania (34 schools)
- Vermont (5 schools)
- Virginia (2 schools)
- Florida (1 school)
- Michigan (1 school)
- New Jersey (1 school)
- Rhode Island (1 school)
- Ohio (1 school)
- Maryland (1 school)
- Colorado (1 school)
- Tennessee (1 school)
- Massachusetts (1 school)
3. 52% of companies offer mindfulness training
This has increased employee productivity by 120% in the USA, causing a 520% increase in profit!
(Forbes)
4. Meditation can reduce PTSD 73% of the time
Therapists have started to use meditation as a tool to manage PTSD. Groups trying to help people with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), and ASD (autism spectrum disorder) are all also beginning to use meditation as a form of stress relief. At least one of my friends has told me that they have practiced meditation to help them with panic attacks.
(NCBI)
5. Several religious groups in America meditate
- 77% of Jehovah’s Witnesses meditate
- 66% of Buddhists meditate
- 60% of Mormons meditate
- 55% of historically black Protestants meditate
- 49% of Evangelical Protestants meditate
- 40% of Catholics meditate
- 36% of mainline Protestants meditate
- 35% of Muslims meditate
- 33% of Hindus meditate
- 28% of Jews meditate
- 28% of non-religious people meditate
- 24% of agnostics meditate
- 19% of atheists meditate
You’ll notice that in two of the oldest religions – Judaism and Hinduism – with meditation practices, only one in three people meditate. We need to get our act together and those numbers need to rise. In my opinion, that number should be at least two in three, and eventually (hopefully), 100%. Meditation is essential to all, and we need to start meditating now!
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