NationStates Jolt Archive

Meditation alters brain patterns in ways that are likely permanent, scientists have known. But a new study shows key parts of the brain actually get thicker through the practice.


Brain imaging of regular working folks who meditate regularly revealed increased thickness in cortical regions related to sensory, auditory and visual perception, as well as internal perception -- the automatic monitoring of heart rate or breathing, for example.

The study also indicates that regular meditation may slow age-related thinning of the frontal cortex.
(Article continues here (http://www.livescience.com/humanbiology/051111_medidate.html))

Opinions?

I've been meditating regularly for quite some time, and I'm now studying Classics at Oxford University. I mean, I was clever anyway, but it can't have done any harm. Haha.

I've been meditating regularly for quite some time, and I'm now studying Classics at Oxford University. I mean, I was clever anyway, but it can't have done any harm. Haha.

What sort of meditation?

I do Zazen weekly.

Eh, not surprising. The sort of mental discipline meditation requires (especially to keep from getting bored, which is the main reason I've never really tried it) is sure to exercise some parts of the brain more than others. Plus, having that no-stress period can only help. In the same way that regularly playing video games will increase your ability to spot and track moving objects and to juggle several bits of data at once, regularly meditating will logically increase your ability to structure your thoughts and body, deal with stress, calm your breathing, and so on.

I'd try it, but, again, I get bored. I'll stick with video games for R&R.

Generic FWBO meditation - mainly mindfulness of breathing and metta bharvana (sp?), but I've done Dzogchen (SP?!) and 'just sitting' whilst on retreats and stuff.

I've always wanted to try meditation, but can't seem to find the time to lean how to do it. Could somebody tell me where to go to get an idea of general technique?

I find that I meditate quite often. When I first considered the idea, I was like, great boreing. But after doing it a few times, I found that it wasn't boring. It gave my mind a chance to relax, and let my subconsious kick in. I've also found that drinking green tea and other herbal teas help with it too, just beware of too much caffinee found in the darker drinks.

I don't really do it with any religious perpuse behind it, but I have used it to consider spiritual concepts and such.

There was a story in National Geographic a few months back about the differences they find between "normal" people and monks who follow rigorous meditation routines. Interesting...

Napping in the sun gets all the benefits of meditation and is less silly. Why would I meditate?

Why the fuck would anyone think it is wrong?

Why the fuck would anyone think it is wrong?
my mother feels that its wrong, and that it allows people to commune with demons and the devil himself. I am also not allowed to use the words Satan, Sammael, Lucifur, or any other names such as those around her either, but am allowed to use, The Devil, The Adversary, or the Evil One.

Why the fuck would anyone think it is wrong?

It's ungodly! Darksided!! :p

my mother feels that its wrong, and that it allows people to commune with demons and the devil himself. I am also not allowed to use the words Satan, Sammael, Lucifur, or any other names such as those around her either, but am allowed to use, The Devil, The Adversary, or the Evil One.

If she can demonstrate that it actually does allow communication, she could win $1,000,000 from these (http://www.randi.org) people.

Why the fuck would anyone think it is wrong?

Primarily fear and ignorance.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/011/10.78.html