Sunday, May 30, 2010
Meditation, Not Medication
Reset your mind and see your life clearly
The other day I opened my eyes from a short nap during meditation class. My instructor, Yogi Allen Finger, chuckled.
"Welcome to New York City Ashram," he cooed. Half-conscious, I giggled.
"With all its nutty people and situations," Alan started, "New York is the perfect place to work out your karma."
Karma or Dharma? I wondered. I always get them confused. Alan clarified later:
"Our Dharma includes the situations we are born into in this life to work out our karma." Of course!
I guess when cabbies try to run me off the road, or a work project hits a snag, I'm being presented with the exact experiences I need to grow.
"Don't react with your ego," Alan instructed of dharmic scenarios. "React with your spirit."
My spirit is what I'd just spent an hour trying to connect with in stillness through pins, needles, and stomach growls. (MORE)
The other day I opened my eyes from a short nap during meditation class. My instructor, Yogi Allen Finger, chuckled.
"Welcome to New York City Ashram," he cooed. Half-conscious, I giggled.
"With all its nutty people and situations," Alan started, "New York is the perfect place to work out your karma."
Karma or Dharma? I wondered. I always get them confused. Alan clarified later:
"Our Dharma includes the situations we are born into in this life to work out our karma." Of course!
I guess when cabbies try to run me off the road, or a work project hits a snag, I'm being presented with the exact experiences I need to grow.
"Don't react with your ego," Alan instructed of dharmic scenarios. "React with your spirit."
My spirit is what I'd just spent an hour trying to connect with in stillness through pins, needles, and stomach growls. (MORE)
Source: Psychology Today
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Teacher Who Helped Shape American Buddhism is Still on a Quest
Jack Kornfield says 'we're teaching meditation not as a religious activity but as a support for living a wise and healthy and compassionate inner life.'
In 1972, Jack Kornfield stepped off a plane in Washington, D.C., his head shaved and his body swathed in golden robes. He had come home to see if he could make it as a monk in America.
Kornfield had spent several contemplative years at a Buddhist monastery in Thailand, where he lived with few possessions, followed a strict monastic code and retreated each day to the lush forest for hours of meditation.
But in the U.S., he found no monasteries that practiced the Vipassana meditation he had studied. And the precepts he had followed in Thailand — which barred him from handling money and required that he eat only donated food — proved difficult to follow.
He gave up his robes and starting driving a taxi. He dated, got a doctorate in psychology and continued to practice Buddhism on his own terms, using the teachings he had learned to help cope with everyday life's ups and downs. And with time, he began to help build a new Buddhism. (MORE)
In 1972, Jack Kornfield stepped off a plane in Washington, D.C., his head shaved and his body swathed in golden robes. He had come home to see if he could make it as a monk in America.
Kornfield had spent several contemplative years at a Buddhist monastery in Thailand, where he lived with few possessions, followed a strict monastic code and retreated each day to the lush forest for hours of meditation.
But in the U.S., he found no monasteries that practiced the Vipassana meditation he had studied. And the precepts he had followed in Thailand — which barred him from handling money and required that he eat only donated food — proved difficult to follow.
He gave up his robes and starting driving a taxi. He dated, got a doctorate in psychology and continued to practice Buddhism on his own terms, using the teachings he had learned to help cope with everyday life's ups and downs. And with time, he began to help build a new Buddhism. (MORE)
Source: LA Times
Friday, May 28, 2010
Breathe Your Way Into Right Living: De-charge Emotions and Recharge Energy
This meditation can be learned by most people to reduce stress and literally take the wind out of strong emotional states. Please practice with caution and common sense. With some experience this practice can be applied in many situations. While I don't recommend meditation while driving, I've found that taking a few slow, deep breaths has reduced my stress in traffic as well as other situations where intense feelings have in the past gotten the best of me. The conscious breathing practice below is something that, if practiced at home, can have an effect on our ability to cope in everyday situations. If you have health issues, consult your doctor before trying any new practices. (MORE)
Source: Huffington Post
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Yoga May Help Fight Depression
Yoga Increases Levels of Brain Chemical That's Low in Mood Disorders, Study Says
Yoga may be helpful in the treatment of depression, researchers say.
In a small study of healthy people with no psychiatric problems, yoga produced greater improvements in mood than walking, suggesting its beneficial effect is not just from physical activity.
"We think that one of the reasons yoga makes people feel better is because it increases levels of GABA, a [brain chemical] that's reduced in depression and doesn't work well in [people with] anxiety," says study head Chris C. Streeter, MD, associate professor of psychiatry and neurology at Boston University School of Medicine.
She presented the findings at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. (MORE)
Yoga may be helpful in the treatment of depression, researchers say.
In a small study of healthy people with no psychiatric problems, yoga produced greater improvements in mood than walking, suggesting its beneficial effect is not just from physical activity.
"We think that one of the reasons yoga makes people feel better is because it increases levels of GABA, a [brain chemical] that's reduced in depression and doesn't work well in [people with] anxiety," says study head Chris C. Streeter, MD, associate professor of psychiatry and neurology at Boston University School of Medicine.
She presented the findings at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. (MORE)
Source: WebMD
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
The Dalai Lama in NYC: Meditation God and Doing Our Best
Meditation and the importance of going to bed early were just a few of the topics the Dalai Lama addressed during his Saturday afternoon teaching in New York City.
The spiritual leader of Tibet, whom Richard Gere called "the hardest working man in the dharma business," gave a series of teachings and a public talk over the weekend at Radio City Music Hall.
I attended Saturday's afternoon session, and although I felt very much like I joined a class at the end of the semester without having done any of the reading, I enjoyed it immensely.
Even the set-up was interesting. The Dalai Lama sat on an elevated chair at the center of the Radio City stage, flanked by monks and nuns sitting on purple cushions. There were two giant screens on either side of the stage, which alternated between the Dalai Lama and his translator. The text for the Saturday teachings was "A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life" by Shantideva.
Much of it was about meditation.
"The best time for meditation is early morning," His Holiness said in English. "There is no question.... The dinner should be less and, of course, go to bed a bit early, then the next morning you can get up earlier." (MORE)
The spiritual leader of Tibet, whom Richard Gere called "the hardest working man in the dharma business," gave a series of teachings and a public talk over the weekend at Radio City Music Hall.
I attended Saturday's afternoon session, and although I felt very much like I joined a class at the end of the semester without having done any of the reading, I enjoyed it immensely.
Even the set-up was interesting. The Dalai Lama sat on an elevated chair at the center of the Radio City stage, flanked by monks and nuns sitting on purple cushions. There were two giant screens on either side of the stage, which alternated between the Dalai Lama and his translator. The text for the Saturday teachings was "A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life" by Shantideva.
Much of it was about meditation.
"The best time for meditation is early morning," His Holiness said in English. "There is no question.... The dinner should be less and, of course, go to bed a bit early, then the next morning you can get up earlier." (MORE)
Source: Beliefnet
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Want to Beat Tinnitus? Try Meditating for 20 Minutes
When John Snow developed a whistling sound in his right ear, his GP blamed an infection that had left his eardrum inflamed and partly blocked his hearing.
He was prescribed antibiotic drops and told the irritating noise would disappear within a few days, once the infection subsided.
But when his ear did finally heal about a week later and his hearing had fully returned, 55-year-old John, from Little Canfield near Stansted in Essex, could still detect the relentless din.
'It was a high-pitched whistling, and although I could hear it during the day, I particularly noticed it when I was trying to get to sleep at night,' says the father-of-two.
'Some nights I would just lie there unable to drop off.' (MORE)
He was prescribed antibiotic drops and told the irritating noise would disappear within a few days, once the infection subsided.
But when his ear did finally heal about a week later and his hearing had fully returned, 55-year-old John, from Little Canfield near Stansted in Essex, could still detect the relentless din.
'It was a high-pitched whistling, and although I could hear it during the day, I particularly noticed it when I was trying to get to sleep at night,' says the father-of-two.
'Some nights I would just lie there unable to drop off.' (MORE)
SWource: Daily Mail
Monday, May 24, 2010
Yoga's Benefits Outweigh Risks for Pregnant Women
Performed properly, it helps build strength and flexibility, aids relaxation, experts say
Yoga is safe for pregnant women, as long as they approach the activity with reasonable caution and moderation, experts say.
"Women who are expecting can benefit greatly from exercise, especially yoga -- they just need to be aware of their limitations," orthopaedic surgeon and mom-to-be Dr. Rachel Rohde said in a news release issued by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
"A pregnant woman's body goes through a lot of changes that will alter the way she practices yoga, whether she is a veteran or a beginner," Rohde added.
As a fitness alternative, yoga allows pregnant women to maintain an exercise program without harming their baby or their heart, according to the AAOS and, overall, the benefits of such a low-impact regimen outweigh the risks. (MORE)
Yoga is safe for pregnant women, as long as they approach the activity with reasonable caution and moderation, experts say.
"Women who are expecting can benefit greatly from exercise, especially yoga -- they just need to be aware of their limitations," orthopaedic surgeon and mom-to-be Dr. Rachel Rohde said in a news release issued by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
"A pregnant woman's body goes through a lot of changes that will alter the way she practices yoga, whether she is a veteran or a beginner," Rohde added.
As a fitness alternative, yoga allows pregnant women to maintain an exercise program without harming their baby or their heart, according to the AAOS and, overall, the benefits of such a low-impact regimen outweigh the risks. (MORE)
Source: US News
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Five Steps to Stoplight Meditation
The mental and physical health benefits of meditation are endless. Even taking a few moments to quiet your mind and focus on your breathing can significantly reduce your body’s stress response, keeping your blood pressure low and your immune system strong. There’s evidence that regular meditation can be just as effective as anti-depressants in treating clinical depression.
So why aren’t more people meditating? One reason may be that people simply don’t know exactly what meditation entails. Another reason may be the most common excuse people give to nearly everything: “I don’t have the time.”
Martin Boroson, author of One-Moment Meditation: Stillness For People On The Go, knows a thing or two about adding meditation to your daily life, even for those with a busy full-time job, kids, and keeping up with the bills.
For people who don’t know where to begin with meditation, he recommends focusing on the rhythm of your breathing to center yourself. No need to worry about mantras, correct sitting positions, or ceremonial bells.
And for the people who claim they just don’t have the time, he offers these five steps to meditation no matter how crazy your day may be. (MORE)
So why aren’t more people meditating? One reason may be that people simply don’t know exactly what meditation entails. Another reason may be the most common excuse people give to nearly everything: “I don’t have the time.”
Martin Boroson, author of One-Moment Meditation: Stillness For People On The Go, knows a thing or two about adding meditation to your daily life, even for those with a busy full-time job, kids, and keeping up with the bills.
For people who don’t know where to begin with meditation, he recommends focusing on the rhythm of your breathing to center yourself. No need to worry about mantras, correct sitting positions, or ceremonial bells.
And for the people who claim they just don’t have the time, he offers these five steps to meditation no matter how crazy your day may be. (MORE)
Source: Good
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Yoga Provides Multiple Benefits for Cancer Survivors
Yoga has long been a form of relaxation, meditation and exercise, dating back to several thousand years B.C. Originating out of India, yoga teaches us to focus on the self: mind, body, spirit. Which is exactly what cancer survivors need to do to heal. So it makes sense that a new study found that yoga can aid survivors with sleep, energy and vitality.
Researchers studied 410 cancer survivors who had difficulty sleeping. Half of the subjects participated in two 75-minute yoga sessions per week, in addition to post-cancer care that the whole group received. The sessions consisted of 18 poses that incorporated breathing exercises and meditation. At the end of a month, sleeplessness improved in the yoga group by 100 percent. (MORE)
Researchers studied 410 cancer survivors who had difficulty sleeping. Half of the subjects participated in two 75-minute yoga sessions per week, in addition to post-cancer care that the whole group received. The sessions consisted of 18 poses that incorporated breathing exercises and meditation. At the end of a month, sleeplessness improved in the yoga group by 100 percent. (MORE)
Source: healthnews.com
Friday, May 21, 2010
Inmates Breathe Easier After Meditative Classes
The qigong meditative class begins with instructor David Ezra asking the participants if they have any worries this week.
A burly man with tattoos running down his arms speaks up.
"Any little thing will set me off," Sonny Mitchell says.
Ezra tells Mitchell to control his emotions and then instructs all the men in orange jumpsuits to stand in two rows of five or six. He turns on a portable CD player, which plays soothing melodies.
Several feet away, Deputy Frank Oathout, a guard at County Jail in Martinez, watches to ensure the inmates behave while they're performing their slow movements and controlled breathing techniques.
Mitchell was arrested on suspicion of stealing a car and leading police on a high-speed chase. He also faces a charge of possessing stolen property and violating parole. The 36-year-old Antioch resident has a trial scheduled for May 24, and this has him stressed. (MORE)
A burly man with tattoos running down his arms speaks up.
"Any little thing will set me off," Sonny Mitchell says.
Ezra tells Mitchell to control his emotions and then instructs all the men in orange jumpsuits to stand in two rows of five or six. He turns on a portable CD player, which plays soothing melodies.
Several feet away, Deputy Frank Oathout, a guard at County Jail in Martinez, watches to ensure the inmates behave while they're performing their slow movements and controlled breathing techniques.
Mitchell was arrested on suspicion of stealing a car and leading police on a high-speed chase. He also faces a charge of possessing stolen property and violating parole. The 36-year-old Antioch resident has a trial scheduled for May 24, and this has him stressed. (MORE)
Source: Mercury News
Thursday, May 20, 2010
20 Minutes to Less Stress
Two of our favourite stress reducers are laughing and meditating. But there are times when you just can't muster up a hearty chuckle. You can meditate, on the other hand, at will. All you need is a quiet place.
That's one reason we're such avid fans of meditation. Another: Its benefits go far beyond relaxation. For starters, regularly quieting your mind maintains your brain cells and tunes up your memory. There's now new evidence of this:
University of North Carolina researchers gave students 20-minute quickie meditation classes for four days (similar to the Stress Free Now program on www.360-5.com,run by Dr. Mike's home base, the Cleveland Clinic). Then they compared the students' mental test scores to those of a control group. Everyone's mood improved, but those who took the meditation training scored significantly better on critical mental skills, like memory and the ability to pay attention. (MORE)
That's one reason we're such avid fans of meditation. Another: Its benefits go far beyond relaxation. For starters, regularly quieting your mind maintains your brain cells and tunes up your memory. There's now new evidence of this:
University of North Carolina researchers gave students 20-minute quickie meditation classes for four days (similar to the Stress Free Now program on www.360-5.com,run by Dr. Mike's home base, the Cleveland Clinic). Then they compared the students' mental test scores to those of a control group. Everyone's mood improved, but those who took the meditation training scored significantly better on critical mental skills, like memory and the ability to pay attention. (MORE)
Source: The Province
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Maternal Stretching and Meditation Keep Expecting Mothers Healthy During Pregnancy:
Keeping safety in mind when you're on "the bump"
Perfect for mind and body rejuvenation, yoga uses meditation and aligning movements to encourage fitness and relaxation. This low-impact fitness alternative allows pregnant women to continue an exercise regimen without putting strain on their heart or harming the baby. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the rewards of basic yoga outweigh the potential physical risks, as long as you take caution and perform the exercises in moderation, according to your individual flexibility level. Executing yoga positions properly is important, especially when pregnant or after giving birth.
"Women who are expecting can benefit greatly from exercise, especially yoga -- they just need to be aware of their limitations," said orthopaedic surgeon and mom-to-be Rachel Rohde, MD. "A pregnant woman's body goes through a lot of changes that will alter the way she practices yoga, whether she is a veteran or a beginner." (MORE)
Perfect for mind and body rejuvenation, yoga uses meditation and aligning movements to encourage fitness and relaxation. This low-impact fitness alternative allows pregnant women to continue an exercise regimen without putting strain on their heart or harming the baby. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the rewards of basic yoga outweigh the potential physical risks, as long as you take caution and perform the exercises in moderation, according to your individual flexibility level. Executing yoga positions properly is important, especially when pregnant or after giving birth.
"Women who are expecting can benefit greatly from exercise, especially yoga -- they just need to be aware of their limitations," said orthopaedic surgeon and mom-to-be Rachel Rohde, MD. "A pregnant woman's body goes through a lot of changes that will alter the way she practices yoga, whether she is a veteran or a beginner." (MORE)
Source: The Medical News
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The Process of Meditation
Turning the mirror inward is a metaphor for the process of meditation. Medically speaking meditation has proved particularly helpful in cases where the patient’s physical and mental states have become severely disjointed.
In my eyes, the primary advantage of meditation lies in the fact that it is an entirely natural process – it allows the mind to discover its own subtlest layers without force, just as they are discovered in moments of calm quietness in normal life.
To unveil the most delicate feeling level of the mind, a meditation technique has to be as effortless as possible; otherwise, one is just forcing the mind into a preconceived mold. (The opposite of a natural meditation would be one where intense concentration is used.) (MORE)
In my eyes, the primary advantage of meditation lies in the fact that it is an entirely natural process – it allows the mind to discover its own subtlest layers without force, just as they are discovered in moments of calm quietness in normal life.
To unveil the most delicate feeling level of the mind, a meditation technique has to be as effortless as possible; otherwise, one is just forcing the mind into a preconceived mold. (The opposite of a natural meditation would be one where intense concentration is used.) (MORE)
Source: Care2.com
Monday, May 17, 2010
8 Survival Tips for Your First Meditation Retreat
I just came back from my first mindfulness meditation retreat in years. While I am very glad for the experience, and would repeat it in a heartbeat, I can also appreciate how challenging it was to make it through the whole retreat. The practice of 'just' sitting and slow walking in silence, day in and day out, for seven consecutive days, was demanding, both physically and emotionally.
In case you are considering going on a retreat, here are some of the ways that helped me survive, and that may make it easier for you as well: (MORE)
In case you are considering going on a retreat, here are some of the ways that helped me survive, and that may make it easier for you as well: (MORE)
Source: Huffington Post
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Dalai Lama Helps Scientists Understand Meditation's Affect on Health
The Dali Lama has a strong interest in science and has long supported researchers interested in studying the mind’s role in healing. This weekend he is at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the opening of a new brain imaging and meditation lab.
The Dalai Lama joins neuroscientist Richard Davidson in a public dialogue on the intersection of science, meditation and health on Sunday, May 16, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The event starts at 2:15 p.m. CST and will be webcast from the new Center for Investigating Healthy Minds on the Madison campus. (The video will be archived and viewable online after the event.)
The center will be the first translational research facility to include a brain imaging lab and meditation space under one roof. (MORE)
The Dalai Lama joins neuroscientist Richard Davidson in a public dialogue on the intersection of science, meditation and health on Sunday, May 16, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The event starts at 2:15 p.m. CST and will be webcast from the new Center for Investigating Healthy Minds on the Madison campus. (The video will be archived and viewable online after the event.)
The center will be the first translational research facility to include a brain imaging lab and meditation space under one roof. (MORE)
Source: Flesh and Stone
Saturday, May 15, 2010
UW to Study Effects of Meditation, Yoga on Veterans' Stress
In the seven years since he finished his stint in the U.S. Navy, Todd Dennis has rarely slept well.
Though never diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, he's struggled with some of the symptoms, including insomnia and feelings of anger.
Dennis says those symptoms have eased since February, when he began practicing yoga and meditation techniques he learned through the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Investigating Healthy Minds.
Beginning this fall, the center will apply the tools of neuroscience - including brain imaging - in studies to determine what if any effect such contemplative practices have on veterans with symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.
"We'll be looking at whether they make an impact in their lives, their overall function, their sense of well-being," said Emma Seppala, a psychologist and research associate, who will oversee the research, some of the first of its kind. (MORE)
Though never diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, he's struggled with some of the symptoms, including insomnia and feelings of anger.
Dennis says those symptoms have eased since February, when he began practicing yoga and meditation techniques he learned through the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Investigating Healthy Minds.
Beginning this fall, the center will apply the tools of neuroscience - including brain imaging - in studies to determine what if any effect such contemplative practices have on veterans with symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.
"We'll be looking at whether they make an impact in their lives, their overall function, their sense of well-being," said Emma Seppala, a psychologist and research associate, who will oversee the research, some of the first of its kind. (MORE)
Source: JS Online.com
Friday, May 14, 2010
Goodbye Hospital Chapels, Hello 'Meditation Rooms'
For some hospitals, gone are the days of "chapels" with pews and crosses. Three Sacramento facilities are building "meditation rooms," spaces that officials hope will cater to all faiths and offer others a quiet place to think.
"People of all faiths -- and people of non-faith -- need a place where they can sit down and reflect, many as they are trying to make a decision," Samuel Brown-Dawson, of the clinical pastoral services at UC Davis Medical Center, told the Sacramento Bee. UC's meditation room opens this fall. The one at Kaiser Medical Center makes its debut in two weeks, while Sutter Medical Center's space will be unveiled in 2013.
The designs for these places of respite will reflect the push for inclusiveness. At Kaiser, for example, crosses and altars will be replaced with stained glass depicting a bridge and a bowl for written prayers. The Sutter space will feature prayer rugs and Jewish prayer shawls, said one official there.
An interesting side note: According to Brandeis University associate professor of sociology Wendy Cadge, meditation rooms are a West Coast thing. "In the Midwest and the East Coast, they're still called chapels," said Cadge.
"People of all faiths -- and people of non-faith -- need a place where they can sit down and reflect, many as they are trying to make a decision," Samuel Brown-Dawson, of the clinical pastoral services at UC Davis Medical Center, told the Sacramento Bee. UC's meditation room opens this fall. The one at Kaiser Medical Center makes its debut in two weeks, while Sutter Medical Center's space will be unveiled in 2013.
The designs for these places of respite will reflect the push for inclusiveness. At Kaiser, for example, crosses and altars will be replaced with stained glass depicting a bridge and a bowl for written prayers. The Sutter space will feature prayer rugs and Jewish prayer shawls, said one official there.
An interesting side note: According to Brandeis University associate professor of sociology Wendy Cadge, meditation rooms are a West Coast thing. "In the Midwest and the East Coast, they're still called chapels," said Cadge.
Source: The Sacramento Bee
Thursday, May 13, 2010
There's a Different Way to 'Meditate' For Everyone
The other night a husband and wife were asking me about meditation; the wife was a mediator and the husband was not. She clearly reaped great benefit from it and must have trying to get her husband to do it, but to no avail. I told the husband that I've been working to bring meditation to UCLA, in the medical school where our center is located (www.marc.ucla.edu), with a goal to teach meditation practices in a secular way, particularly in light of emerging research supporting its benefits on health and well-being.
I also noted that meditation is really a means of investigating the mind, something perhaps we can all benefit from in this very "outward" oriented culture. I could see that he was interested (despite his wife's facial expression of 'I told you so'). But he acknowledged that he has been very 'turned off' by anything that seemed "New Age." (MORE)
I also noted that meditation is really a means of investigating the mind, something perhaps we can all benefit from in this very "outward" oriented culture. I could see that he was interested (despite his wife's facial expression of 'I told you so'). But he acknowledged that he has been very 'turned off' by anything that seemed "New Age." (MORE)
Source: Huffington Post
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Mystic Astounds Doctors in Two-Week Study
AN INDIAN mystic aged 83 who claims to have spent seven decades without food or water has astounded a team of military doctors and specialists who observed him for a fortnight.
The 30-odd doctors who monitored Prahlad Jani round the clock with cameras and via closed circuit television at a hospital in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat province said the long-haired and bearded yogi did not eat, drink or go to the toilet during the experiment.
He remained fit, and exhibited no signs of lethargy.
“Jani’s only contact with any kind of fluid was during gargling and bathing periodically during the period,” said G Ilavazahagan, director of India’s Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, in a statement after the project ended last week. (MORE)
The 30-odd doctors who monitored Prahlad Jani round the clock with cameras and via closed circuit television at a hospital in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat province said the long-haired and bearded yogi did not eat, drink or go to the toilet during the experiment.
He remained fit, and exhibited no signs of lethargy.
“Jani’s only contact with any kind of fluid was during gargling and bathing periodically during the period,” said G Ilavazahagan, director of India’s Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, in a statement after the project ended last week. (MORE)
Source: Iris Times
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Meditations on Real Life
Have you ever tried to meditate? If you have, you may have thought to yourself, "How on earth am I meant to empty my mind and sit completely still?" That's assuming you've even found the quiet time to meditate at all!
Many people seem to think you need to have a dedicated quiet room with no interruptions. No wonder it's hard if these are the expectations. Until a few years ago, even after many years of teaching yoga, I felt the same: 'Why won't my mind shut up? Why does my back hurt after only a few moments? I forgot to send that email off'. You get the picture ... (MORE)
Many people seem to think you need to have a dedicated quiet room with no interruptions. No wonder it's hard if these are the expectations. Until a few years ago, even after many years of teaching yoga, I felt the same: 'Why won't my mind shut up? Why does my back hurt after only a few moments? I forgot to send that email off'. You get the picture ... (MORE)
Source: Huffington Post
Monday, May 10, 2010
Study: Meditation Improves Cognitive Skills in Four Days
If you are still undecided whether to sign up for that meditation class, perhaps this piece of research news would do the trick.
A study published on the journal Consciousness and Cognition found that 20 minutes of meditation each day can improve cognitive skills in as short as four days.
The research, which involved 63 students randomly split into two groups, trained one group on mindfulness meditation while the other group listened to J.R.R. Tolkein's fantasy novel, The Hobbit. Before and after the experiment, students from both groups were assessed on their mood and cognitive functions, including memory, concentration and visual attention.
A total of 49 students completed the experiment. All of them reported an improvement in mood, but only students in the meditation group fared a noticeable improvement in cognitive abilities. They scored consistently higher averages than those in the listening group on all tests. (MORE)
A study published on the journal Consciousness and Cognition found that 20 minutes of meditation each day can improve cognitive skills in as short as four days.
The research, which involved 63 students randomly split into two groups, trained one group on mindfulness meditation while the other group listened to J.R.R. Tolkein's fantasy novel, The Hobbit. Before and after the experiment, students from both groups were assessed on their mood and cognitive functions, including memory, concentration and visual attention.
A total of 49 students completed the experiment. All of them reported an improvement in mood, but only students in the meditation group fared a noticeable improvement in cognitive abilities. They scored consistently higher averages than those in the listening group on all tests. (MORE)
Source: Technorati
Read more: http://technorati.com/lifestyle/article/study-meditation-improves-cognitive-skills-in/#ixzz0nWd0GdNB
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mothers Day Prayer
God our Creator, we pray:
for new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility ;
for expectant mothers, wondering and waiting;
for those who are tired, stressed or depressed;
for those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;
for those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty;
for those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities;
for those who have children they do not want;
for those who raise children on their own;
for those who have lost a child;
for those who care for the children of others;
for those whose children have left home;
and for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled.
Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender,
and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good,
living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others.
Amen.
Author Unknown
for new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility ;
for expectant mothers, wondering and waiting;
for those who are tired, stressed or depressed;
for those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;
for those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty;
for those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities;
for those who have children they do not want;
for those who raise children on their own;
for those who have lost a child;
for those who care for the children of others;
for those whose children have left home;
and for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled.
Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender,
and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good,
living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others.
Amen.
Author Unknown
A Heart-Breath Meditation Technique
As a psychotherapist I’ve encountered many adults with heartache or “broken” hearts. With grief it’s not uncommon to feel pressure or tightening in the chest. Sometimes I’ve noticed people with sunken chests, their shoulders hunched forward, a way to protect their vulnerable heart.
Whether you believe that the pain comes from the physical heart or the heart center (chakra) most people can relate to emotional pain centered on the heart. Meditating on the heart or heart center can be a way to get relief from pain. Even better, if you’re pain-free, you can expand your sense of peace and joy. You’ve heard the expression a “heart bursting with joy.” That’s the end of the continuum and meditation can help you get there step by step. (MORE)
Whether you believe that the pain comes from the physical heart or the heart center (chakra) most people can relate to emotional pain centered on the heart. Meditating on the heart or heart center can be a way to get relief from pain. Even better, if you’re pain-free, you can expand your sense of peace and joy. You’ve heard the expression a “heart bursting with joy.” That’s the end of the continuum and meditation can help you get there step by step. (MORE)
Source: AnnArbor.com
Saturday, May 8, 2010
..Brief Meditation Helps Concentration
We have long believed that a cup of coffee every morning can make us more awake, yet a newly published study suggests that brief meditation can prepare us for the day just the same.
In past research, neuroimaging technology has shown that meditation techniques can promote significant changes in brain areas associated with concentration, but it was thought that the effect required extensive training to achieve.
However, according to the new research, the benefits may be achievable with much less effort. It suggests that the mind may be more easily trained to focus than we previously believed.
Psychologists found that participants who meditated for 20 minutes a day for four days showed an evident improvement in their critical cognition skills and performed significantly better in cognitive tests than a control group. (MORE)
In past research, neuroimaging technology has shown that meditation techniques can promote significant changes in brain areas associated with concentration, but it was thought that the effect required extensive training to achieve.
However, according to the new research, the benefits may be achievable with much less effort. It suggests that the mind may be more easily trained to focus than we previously believed.
Psychologists found that participants who meditated for 20 minutes a day for four days showed an evident improvement in their critical cognition skills and performed significantly better in cognitive tests than a control group. (MORE)
Source: Epoch Times
Friday, May 7, 2010
Meditation Can Keep BP Under Control
Meditation is not only a stress buster, it also helps in regulating high blood pressure with an added benefit of bypassing possible side effects and hazards of anti-hypertension drugs, says a new study.
In the new meta-analysis, researchers from University of Kentucky conducted nine randomized, controlled trials with Transcendental Meditation as a primary intervention for hypertensive patients.
The findings revealed that practicing Transcendental Meditation led to approximate reduction of 4.7 mm systolic blood pressure and 3.2 mm diastolic blood pressure.
Dr James W Anderson, lead author and professor of medicine at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, insisted that reduction the blood pressure could significantly reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease without the side effects of drugs.
"Adding Transcendental Medication is about equivalent to adding a second anti-hypertension agent to one's current regimen only safer and less troublesome," he said.
The study appears in the March issue of the American Journal of Hypertension.
In the new meta-analysis, researchers from University of Kentucky conducted nine randomized, controlled trials with Transcendental Meditation as a primary intervention for hypertensive patients.
The findings revealed that practicing Transcendental Meditation led to approximate reduction of 4.7 mm systolic blood pressure and 3.2 mm diastolic blood pressure.
Dr James W Anderson, lead author and professor of medicine at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, insisted that reduction the blood pressure could significantly reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease without the side effects of drugs.
"Adding Transcendental Medication is about equivalent to adding a second anti-hypertension agent to one's current regimen only safer and less troublesome," he said.
The study appears in the March issue of the American Journal of Hypertension.
Source: Times of India
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Meditation at Sunset
In Hatboro/Horsham Township, Montgomery County, PA a lot of people are feeling intense stress all day from working, taking care of their children, cleaning their homes, and, potentially, doing hospital volunteer work. All of this can create a busy and wandering mind.
In order to clear the mind, meditation techniques are offered by myself and a few other yoga teachers, at dusk, outside on the lawn, for ongoing clients.
About 28 people joined in. The crowd was huge and all anticipated being "mindful" at the end of the hour long meditation. Music was playing - it was very low-key and spiritual. Everyone took his/her place on a yoga mat on the ground (they were in a corner for anyone who did not bring a personal mat). Lying in "corpse" position, on their backs, the sun was still bright but starting to set. It was 7:30 pm; the hour long sunset was inspirational and creative in reaching a quiet, peaceful state of mind. (MORE)
In order to clear the mind, meditation techniques are offered by myself and a few other yoga teachers, at dusk, outside on the lawn, for ongoing clients.
About 28 people joined in. The crowd was huge and all anticipated being "mindful" at the end of the hour long meditation. Music was playing - it was very low-key and spiritual. Everyone took his/her place on a yoga mat on the ground (they were in a corner for anyone who did not bring a personal mat). Lying in "corpse" position, on their backs, the sun was still bright but starting to set. It was 7:30 pm; the hour long sunset was inspirational and creative in reaching a quiet, peaceful state of mind. (MORE)
Source: The Examiner
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Find your Passion: Conscious Meditation
The purpose of the Conscious Meditation is to help you find what it is you would love to do, what it is that inspires you to be the greatest you can be.... to live your inspirations and achieve your dreams, hopes and goals in life. Before you start, make sure you have a pen and paper near you. You will need this at the end of the meditation. This meditation is designed to help you relax and teach you easy techniques to gain focus and clarity in your life. This is a conscious meditation, with your eyes open while you read the mediation, however, all of your senses should connect to the words while doing the conscious meditation.
Create a personal space where you can do your meditation on a regular basis, somewhere you know you won’t be disturbed by phones, people or other interruptions, somewhere you can feel safe and comfortable. Go to this space now and sit in a comfortable chair. It is best to sit when doing a longer meditation like this one because if you lie down you are likely to fall asleep and miss the experience. (MORE)
Create a personal space where you can do your meditation on a regular basis, somewhere you know you won’t be disturbed by phones, people or other interruptions, somewhere you can feel safe and comfortable. Go to this space now and sit in a comfortable chair. It is best to sit when doing a longer meditation like this one because if you lie down you are likely to fall asleep and miss the experience. (MORE)
Source: NY Daily News
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Meditation Could Help Alcoholics Avoid Relapse
Meditation might help alcoholics become aware of their urges and develop coping skills that may reduce their risk of going back to the bottle.
That’s according to Dr. Aleksandra Zgierska, assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
She conducted a small study that showed meditation was as successful as conventional therapies in preventing alcohol relapse.
One meditation technique Zgierska uses is called “urge surfing.”
“While meditating, one visualizes a craving or urge as an ocean wave that begins small and gradually builds to a large cresting wave,” she explains. “Using the awareness of one’s breath as a ’surfboard,’ the goal is to ’surf the urge’ by allowing it to first rise and then fall without being ‘wiped out’ by giving in to it.”
Successfully ’surfing the urge’ can weaken addictive conditioning and enhance healthy coping skills, she says. (MORE)
That’s according to Dr. Aleksandra Zgierska, assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
She conducted a small study that showed meditation was as successful as conventional therapies in preventing alcohol relapse.
One meditation technique Zgierska uses is called “urge surfing.”
“While meditating, one visualizes a craving or urge as an ocean wave that begins small and gradually builds to a large cresting wave,” she explains. “Using the awareness of one’s breath as a ’surfboard,’ the goal is to ’surf the urge’ by allowing it to first rise and then fall without being ‘wiped out’ by giving in to it.”
Successfully ’surfing the urge’ can weaken addictive conditioning and enhance healthy coping skills, she says. (MORE)
Source: NJ.net
Monday, May 3, 2010
Working to Heal the Mind-Body Connection
Sixteen students bend, twist and stretch.
Some sit in the prayer position and others lie on mats, moving and strengthening different parts of their bodies.
The teacher, Matthew Sanford, wraps up with a breathing meditation.
"Thank your body," he tells them. It's a message that drives his personal and professional life.
The students -- young and old, male and female -- get up from the floor. Most return to their wheelchairs with the help of several volunteers.
The unique adaptive yoga class has been offered for more than a decade at the Courage Center in Golden Valley, which has seen success by strengthening the connection between mind and body.
"The biggest thing people are getting from the class is they're more connected to their entire body after an injury or illness," said Carrie Shogren, an occupational therapist and adaptive yoga assistant at the center. Plus, people end up with better balance, posture and flexibility, she said. (MORE)
Some sit in the prayer position and others lie on mats, moving and strengthening different parts of their bodies.
The teacher, Matthew Sanford, wraps up with a breathing meditation.
"Thank your body," he tells them. It's a message that drives his personal and professional life.
The students -- young and old, male and female -- get up from the floor. Most return to their wheelchairs with the help of several volunteers.
The unique adaptive yoga class has been offered for more than a decade at the Courage Center in Golden Valley, which has seen success by strengthening the connection between mind and body.
"The biggest thing people are getting from the class is they're more connected to their entire body after an injury or illness," said Carrie Shogren, an occupational therapist and adaptive yoga assistant at the center. Plus, people end up with better balance, posture and flexibility, she said. (MORE)
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Listen to Your Heart: a Meditation Lesson
Recently my three-year-old grandson advised a family member who was feeling lonely, “Listen to your heart. It will speak to you.” A profound truth, it seems to me. Today when I sat for meditation I decided to try listening to my heart. It was a wonderful experience. What I “heard” was softness. In the mental health technique of Focusing, the term “felt sense” is used. So I felt into the softness and sweet memories began to flood me. Feelings of love - loving and being love. I continued to meditate on this feeling in my heart. A great way to begin the day!
For me one of the biggest changes that has come from meditating is feeling loved. I used to know I was loved, but it was hard to accept it. I struggled with experiencing it, fully receiving it. I’ve been reading the book Will Yoga & Meditation really change my life? (edited by Stephen Cope.) It’s a compilation of stories from leading yoga & meditation teachers around North America. Over and over a similar theme appears: compassion. It seems the more we feel loved, the more love we have to give. (MORE)
For me one of the biggest changes that has come from meditating is feeling loved. I used to know I was loved, but it was hard to accept it. I struggled with experiencing it, fully receiving it. I’ve been reading the book Will Yoga & Meditation really change my life? (edited by Stephen Cope.) It’s a compilation of stories from leading yoga & meditation teachers around North America. Over and over a similar theme appears: compassion. It seems the more we feel loved, the more love we have to give. (MORE)
Source: AnnArbor.com
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Can Training Soldiers to Meditate Combat PTSD?
Meditation exercises could boost mental toughness in soldiers and help them better cope with the trauma of war, according to findings recently published in Emotion.
The study involved 48 U.S. Marines preparing for deployment in Iraq. In the months prior to the soldiers' deployment, roughly two-thirds of the group was enrolled in an eight-week mindfulness training program. The rest of the troops did not participate in meditation exercises and served as a control group.
Researchers found: (MORE)
The study involved 48 U.S. Marines preparing for deployment in Iraq. In the months prior to the soldiers' deployment, roughly two-thirds of the group was enrolled in an eight-week mindfulness training program. The rest of the troops did not participate in meditation exercises and served as a control group.
Researchers found: (MORE)
Source: SCOPE-Medical Blog
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