Although not a mega meditator, with time I noticed some effects of meditation and got curious in what exactly happens in the brain when I sit on the cushion and watch my mind jumping around, patiently learning to bring attention to the intention and stay with life itself instead of the virtual reality my mind entertains me with. How do these changes in the brain influence how I relate to everything and everyone around, including myself?
I am now more aware of what is going on inside my body and my head which means that a lot of junk that earlier went unnoticed gets caught in the net of awareness. When catching a little thought that gets lots of attention and suddenly swells up to the size of a huge mountain, in this more awakened state of mind I can trace how it leads to a lower state and starts stinking. I find this little self-observation more valuable than all the years I spent in college as it opens the door to liberation from the years of being a slave to the small, hungry and jealous mind. There is little joy in noticing how easily the mental trash can start nesting inside the head but on the other side this is my chance to clean up the house and ensure I do not start unloading it on others.
Here come a few podcasts that answer some of the “hows” about the ways meditation rewires our brain and subsequently influences who we are.
Meditation and creativity
David Lynch has been diving into TM (Transcendental Meditation) for over 30 years and intends to bring meditation to those who are willing to give it it a try. The video includes a live demonstration of meditator’s brain waves.
Meditation and the brain
Doctor Campbell (a k a Docartemis) interviewes Daniel Siegel on meditation and the brain on The Brain Science Podcast. Interestingly, Dr. Siegel wrote a book on mindful parenting not knowing anything about the mindfulness meditation (Vipassana). On the base of scientific evidence and the first-person experience he gives an overview of how the mindfulness meditation changes the brain both in short-term and in long-term leading to structural changes, when the states we develop during meditaion become traits.
According to Dr. Siegel the following prefrontal functions can be developed through meditation and become automated traits:
- regulating your body (improved blood pressure and immune system and its functioning);
- attuning to yourself and others in a deeper kind of way (compassion)
- the ability to better regulate your affect of states
- develop the ability to extinguish fear
- “response flexibility” or the capacity to pause before you act
- more insight into yourself
- more empathy for others
- more morality
- access to intuition
More brain and meditaion
Rick Hanson, PhD and Rick Mendius, MD, bring insights and tools from the fields of psychology, neuroscience and Buddhism, in their talk on Neurology of Awakening that can be streamed or donwloaded from Audiodharma’s site and the slides can be obtained from the Wisebrain site.
Have YOU noticed any of those or other tangible effects of meditation?
Nice article! If anyone is interested in reading my blog “How to Learn Transcendental Meditation” just click on my name above. Peace!
Wow, a blog specifically on TM! Thanks, I will check it out
Meta,
Irina
I have been doing TM for years and have nothing but good effect from the twice-daily practice. It reduces stress, keeps me healthy and happy. It makes mind calm and orderly. And it is completely effortless to do, and so simple to learn. And what I also like about TM is that there are over 600 studies showing how good it is for my mind and body. Have a look at the web site http://www.TM.org for all scoop on the Transcendental Meditation program.
Hey CandyShoes!
Thanks for your comment and the advice. I will check the site. Lots of positive words on TM!
Meta,
Irina
I have been practicing Transcendental Meditation for over 13 years and can say first-hand how powerful it is for reducing stress and maintaining good health. I am thankful David Lynch has stepped out to support TM in a big way through his foundation. His idea of instructing one million at-risk youth to meditate is something which I think will have an enormously beneficial impact on those kids lives and the communities in which they live. I wish David and his foundation the best of luck!
Hi RiverRunner!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I too believe that if people spent some time in meditation there would be less war and (self)distructive behavour and hope more people will discover the benefits of meditation,whatever the type may be. In the West we are pretty fortunate to be able to pick and choose whatever suits us most. How did you come to TM?
The best of luck!
Meta,
Irina
Yes, I practice Transcendental Meditation (tm.org) and have noticed all of the benefits mentioned and much more. Transcendental Meditation and it’s benefits cannot be lumped into a category with any other meditations. For example, there was a study comparing TM to any other mental technique that had published research on “anxiety reduction” and TM was found to be at least twice as effective and if the researchers only considered research that had been rigorously done, then TM was found to be three to four times as effective. In addition the benefits that TM brings to brain functioning as evidenced by the brain waive research done on TM is absolutely unprecedented. These are just two examples. Many more can be found on the TM.org website.
Hey Jean!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving the comment! I will definately check the site as I am curious in TM as a creativity enhancer
.
I cannot compare TM to other types of meditation as I only practiced Vipassana (Insight or Mindfullness) Meditation and zazen (Zen meditation) but with those two we learn to stay with whatever arises, even “uncomfortable” feelings like anxiety and see feelings for what they are. This might not seem like a short term anxiety reduction strategy (but it is when one just looks at the emotion or feeling and not the thoughts that we connect to it) but it is very helpful in everyday life.
If you read this answer, do you mind sharing how YOU came to TM? Was it the first type you tried or have you done anything else before and then chose TM for some particular reason?
Meta,
Irina