New looks at the types, and effects, of meditation

[Thom Little]

Meditation seems to energize the sleep-deprived. It seems to help with concentration. It even seems to bolster the structure of the brain as we age.

Neuroscientists presenting their latest research at a convention of 34,000 colleagues last week had so much praise for meditation that it was starting to sound like a mantra. Their work fits into a growing body of data that tries to bring science to bear on age-old methods to quiet the mind.

Enthusiasts have long touted the health benefits of meditative practices such as chanting, yoga and prayer. Now, using the latest high-tech tools of neuroscience and biochemistry, they are teasing out how those benefits work. And increasingly, they are focusing on how meditation may help not only the body but the brain.

"As time goes on, we're understanding this phenomenon in ever more advanced scientific terms," said Dr. Herbert Benson, president of the Mind/Body Medical Institute and a Harvard Medical School associate professor who has studied the body's "relaxation response" for nearly 40 years.


http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file=/articles/2005/11/23/news/snmed.php

[libbygurl]

1. Very interesting stuff! Goes against the attention-deficit-

hyperactivity trend that seems to be de riguer in every modern urban society today.

Also interesting that some neuroscientists objected vehemently to the presence of the Dalai Lama at the proceedings. So much for open-mindedness on the part of some scientists! Their point was well taken, but their reaction seemed like a knee-jerk one.

Gosh, I gotta get into this - and hope more people do take it up, for their sakes, and everyone else's!

[marions ghost]

2. somehow we need to slow down

maybe meditation can be part of that quest for people who have patience enough to even try it. I don't find it easy myself. But there are definite benefits in terms of energy and concentration.

[drduffy]

3. have taught autogenics and self-hypnosis

for thirty years. Am a neuropsychologist who has no probs with the Dali Lama. My biggest problem is that I do not rigorously practice my own skills. Like when I think about GWB and other repuke criminals, the war and other atrocities...... my blood pressure begins to rise.... I envision blood and guts and veins in my teeth (a paraphrase of Arlo Guthrie) and I imagine tearing heads and limbs from repuklian neoconseratives.......

ah..... I feel better already......

[Poet Lariat]

4. My wife swears by meditation

and Yoga as well. She attends a Yoga class 4 to 5 times per week and after 15 years of this, I would say it has significantly changed her life. I'm further behind. Been to a few classes but have a hard time putting it into my daily routine. Guess I should start.

Thanks for the article TL

[morningglory]

5. Yoga, practised with a 'teacher', has the effect of bringing about great

patience. You have to hold the postures for a minute or two, and like holding your breath, those minutes seem an eternity to a hyperactive, impatient person. Gradually, one learns to just relax and go with the 'now'. After a year or two, I no longer fidgeted when put on hold on the phone, I just zoned out into a meditation whenever I could get agitated, like at stoplights. But I agree with the poster who gets bothered by the repugs. Those thugs are killing people in more ways than the 2 or 3 that we are well aware of.