Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Yoga Moves Adapted For MS Sufferers
One of the masters of modern yoga was in Philadelphia Tuesday to launch a special project.
Former Eagles trainer and yoga instructor Baron Baptiste was hosting a class for people with multiple sclerosis.
Baptiste has adapted some of the traditional poses, to make them easier for those who may have MS-related disabilities.
He also taught them how yogic breathing can help them manage stress. Stress can make MS symptoms worse.
Baptiste has produced the program into a video, so it can be used at home. (MORE)
Former Eagles trainer and yoga instructor Baron Baptiste was hosting a class for people with multiple sclerosis.
Baptiste has adapted some of the traditional poses, to make them easier for those who may have MS-related disabilities.
He also taught them how yogic breathing can help them manage stress. Stress can make MS symptoms worse.
Baptiste has produced the program into a video, so it can be used at home. (MORE)
Source: 6abc.com
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Meditation, An Uninterrupted Flow
Meditation in its truest sense ought to be constant and not intermittent. A short story reveals the fact.
Ananda, the disciple of Buddha once asked his master,
“I have observed you when you are asleep. There is no movement of your body. You wake up the way you go to sleep” He continued
“Once out of curiosity, I even kept awake the whole night to see if you stirred in your sleep. But you maintained the same posture throughout, until you woke up the next day. Are you controlling your movements in your sleep?”
Buddha said, “There is no place for control. I am in constant meditation. I sleep in meditation as the way I awake up in meditation. Meditation for me is a constant, uninterrupted flow”
Buddha continued, “I am calm and quiet as deep down within, I am aware. Since meditation is an uninterrupted flow, there is no need to move” (MORE)
Ananda, the disciple of Buddha once asked his master,
“I have observed you when you are asleep. There is no movement of your body. You wake up the way you go to sleep” He continued
“Once out of curiosity, I even kept awake the whole night to see if you stirred in your sleep. But you maintained the same posture throughout, until you woke up the next day. Are you controlling your movements in your sleep?”
Buddha said, “There is no place for control. I am in constant meditation. I sleep in meditation as the way I awake up in meditation. Meditation for me is a constant, uninterrupted flow”
Buddha continued, “I am calm and quiet as deep down within, I am aware. Since meditation is an uninterrupted flow, there is no need to move” (MORE)
Source: Oneindia
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Meditation’s Influence on Brain Activity
The growing popularity of meditation has stimulated scientific investigation on how the technique influences brain function.
“Given the popularity and effectiveness of meditation as a means of alleviating stress and maintaining good health, there is a pressing need for a rigorous investigation of how it affects brain function,” says Professor Jim Lagopoulos.
Lagopoulos is the principal investigator of a joint study on changes in electrical brain activity during non-directive or mindfulness meditation.
The brain always has some level of activity whether we are mentally active, resting or asleep. In the study, researchers monitored the frequency and location of electrical brain waves through the use of EEG (electroencephalography). (MORE)
“Given the popularity and effectiveness of meditation as a means of alleviating stress and maintaining good health, there is a pressing need for a rigorous investigation of how it affects brain function,” says Professor Jim Lagopoulos.
Lagopoulos is the principal investigator of a joint study on changes in electrical brain activity during non-directive or mindfulness meditation.
The brain always has some level of activity whether we are mentally active, resting or asleep. In the study, researchers monitored the frequency and location of electrical brain waves through the use of EEG (electroencephalography). (MORE)
Source: PsychCentral.com
Friday, March 26, 2010
Stay on Your Cushion: The Importance of 'Hot' and 'Cool' Boredom During Meditation
Boredom is an underrated experience in the modern world. The rate at which new information, new opportunities, new entertainment, new distractions are coming towards us is, in almost everybody's estimation, accelerating to a dizzying speed.
Many people come to meditation hoping to simply slow down the traffic jam in their head -- to get a little space, a little clarity, a little "breather."
We sit down to meditate in order to remember what it feels like to relate simply and directly to being present. We connect with our breathing to stabilize the feeling of being present and also take note of the activity in our mind streaming by. Our practice is to keep coming back to the to the breath and thereby to the present moment. This technique is extremely simple and can be very powerful and effective in calming our mind down and allowing us to feel more centered and balanced. (More)
Many people come to meditation hoping to simply slow down the traffic jam in their head -- to get a little space, a little clarity, a little "breather."
We sit down to meditate in order to remember what it feels like to relate simply and directly to being present. We connect with our breathing to stabilize the feeling of being present and also take note of the activity in our mind streaming by. Our practice is to keep coming back to the to the breath and thereby to the present moment. This technique is extremely simple and can be very powerful and effective in calming our mind down and allowing us to feel more centered and balanced. (More)
Source: Huffington Post
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Meditation for Beginners
In meditation the first thing is the posture. You may sit in any posture and must be very comfortable and still. You can meditate on the floor or on a chair, you can meditate anywhere you want that you feel comfortable. it helps if it is a quiet place - no music, TV, phones, etc. to interrupt what you are trying to do.
Sit comfortably with your legs crossed and relax your fingers. Now close your eyes and relax. When we cross our legs and our hands are together it creates an energy circuit around us and gives us more stability. Eyes are doors of the mind, so the eyes should be closed. Any chattering inside or outside are the activity of the mind. Let the thoughts come in, but also do not concentrate on them, let them move out of your mind. The mind is nothing more than a bundle of thoughts. There are always thoughts coming to the surface of the mind. Whenever there are thoughts, we may get many questions known or unknown.
Observation is the nature of the cell, so one should just witness the breath. Do not inhale and exhale consciously. Let breathing happen on its own. Don’t go behind the thoughts, just observe normal breathing, and be with your breath. The density of your thought reduces. The breath becomes thinner and shorter. Finally the breath becomes the smallest and separate like a flash between the eyebrows. In this state one would have no breath and no thought. One would be totally thought-less; this is the state of meditation. The more you meditate the more cosmic energy you receive.
Meditating can bring you a sense of calm and relaxation which people find refreshing and energizing in their lives. Use these basic guidelines and give meditation a try. With time and practice, you will experience what I have written about here.
Sit comfortably with your legs crossed and relax your fingers. Now close your eyes and relax. When we cross our legs and our hands are together it creates an energy circuit around us and gives us more stability. Eyes are doors of the mind, so the eyes should be closed. Any chattering inside or outside are the activity of the mind. Let the thoughts come in, but also do not concentrate on them, let them move out of your mind. The mind is nothing more than a bundle of thoughts. There are always thoughts coming to the surface of the mind. Whenever there are thoughts, we may get many questions known or unknown.
Observation is the nature of the cell, so one should just witness the breath. Do not inhale and exhale consciously. Let breathing happen on its own. Don’t go behind the thoughts, just observe normal breathing, and be with your breath. The density of your thought reduces. The breath becomes thinner and shorter. Finally the breath becomes the smallest and separate like a flash between the eyebrows. In this state one would have no breath and no thought. One would be totally thought-less; this is the state of meditation. The more you meditate the more cosmic energy you receive.
Meditating can bring you a sense of calm and relaxation which people find refreshing and energizing in their lives. Use these basic guidelines and give meditation a try. With time and practice, you will experience what I have written about here.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Do-It Yourself Meditation
In our society of “must-see” and ”must-have,” it’s hard to imagine taking the time to contemplate what we see and acquire. Fast and furious, we move from one trend to the next, never reflecting upon why we wanted something in the first place. This high-paced, mass-consumption lifestyle we’ve carved for ourselves has given way to real health concerns now facing a majority of people. Our hearts race, our weight increases, our anxiety attacks and we don’t have time for a fix that takes longer than the swallow of a pill. What else can we do?
Meditation has existed for over 5,000 years, as an intellectual exercise. Its goal is self-awareness. Once thought to be linked to religion, modern-day science has embraced this practice as a method of stress relief, arthritis, chronic pain and a variety of other conditions. While many methods of meditation exist, one thing connects them all: deep breathing. Deep breathing provides our bodies with an abundance of oxygen, a necessity to all living organisms. Humans can’t even go more than a few minutes without this vital element. (MORE)
Meditation has existed for over 5,000 years, as an intellectual exercise. Its goal is self-awareness. Once thought to be linked to religion, modern-day science has embraced this practice as a method of stress relief, arthritis, chronic pain and a variety of other conditions. While many methods of meditation exist, one thing connects them all: deep breathing. Deep breathing provides our bodies with an abundance of oxygen, a necessity to all living organisms. Humans can’t even go more than a few minutes without this vital element. (MORE)
Source: Conducive Chronicle
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Transcendental Meditation Prevents War, Terrorism
A new research paper has pointed how militaries worldwide could use the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programme, founded by Indian spiritual guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, as a non-religious and scientifically verified way to prevent war and terrorism.
When used in a military context, these meditation practices are known as Invincible Defense Technology (IDT).
The research paper describes the concept of a “Prevention Wing of the Military,” a group of military personnel that practices the advanced TM-Sidhi programme twice daily as a group.
A group that reaches a critical threshold in size has been scientifically shown to reduce collective societal stress.
The paper hypothesizes that war, terrorism, and crime are caused by collective societal stress.
The absence of collective stress translates into the absence of tension between countries, between religious groups, or even within individual terrorists.
The paper proposes that, by applying this non-lethal and non-destructive technology, any military can reduce societal stress and prevent enemies from arising.
If IDT prevents the emergence of enemies, the military has no one to fight, so the nation becomes invincible.
Over 50 scientific studies have found that when 1percent of a given population practices Transcendental Meditation, or when sufficiently large groups practice the TM-Sidhi programme together twice daily, measurable positive changes take place throughout society as a whole. (MORE)
When used in a military context, these meditation practices are known as Invincible Defense Technology (IDT).
The research paper describes the concept of a “Prevention Wing of the Military,” a group of military personnel that practices the advanced TM-Sidhi programme twice daily as a group.
A group that reaches a critical threshold in size has been scientifically shown to reduce collective societal stress.
The paper hypothesizes that war, terrorism, and crime are caused by collective societal stress.
The absence of collective stress translates into the absence of tension between countries, between religious groups, or even within individual terrorists.
The paper proposes that, by applying this non-lethal and non-destructive technology, any military can reduce societal stress and prevent enemies from arising.
If IDT prevents the emergence of enemies, the military has no one to fight, so the nation becomes invincible.
Over 50 scientific studies have found that when 1percent of a given population practices Transcendental Meditation, or when sufficiently large groups practice the TM-Sidhi programme together twice daily, measurable positive changes take place throughout society as a whole. (MORE)
Source: Times of India
Monday, March 22, 2010
Meditation Brings Happiness, Not Just Stress Relief
I’m excited to be teaching meditation with the Chopra Center this weekend. They’re hosting their signature six-day meditation program, Seduction of Spirit, on Marco Island, near Naples.
So why am I excited to teach this ancient practice? I want others to experience the physical, emotional and spiritual health I discovered. Rather than give you a textbook rationale or the latest research on how meditation alleviates anxiety, let me share with you my experience.
Initially, I was a skeptic. I could hardly see the benefit to my stress level of sitting in a chair with my eyes closed and having a zillion thoughts race through my mind. I’d tried meditation before with little success. However, as some of you may know, I had a heart attack — a fluke, the doctors called it — and I wanted to prevent future attacks. I had none of the heart disease risk factors — had low cholesterol, low blood pressure, low heart rate, no family history indicators, exercised, was trim, didn’t smoke — so the doctors had no lifestyle advise or medications for me. I seemed the epitome of health.
What was wrong with me? What could I do? (MORE)
So why am I excited to teach this ancient practice? I want others to experience the physical, emotional and spiritual health I discovered. Rather than give you a textbook rationale or the latest research on how meditation alleviates anxiety, let me share with you my experience.
Initially, I was a skeptic. I could hardly see the benefit to my stress level of sitting in a chair with my eyes closed and having a zillion thoughts race through my mind. I’d tried meditation before with little success. However, as some of you may know, I had a heart attack — a fluke, the doctors called it — and I wanted to prevent future attacks. I had none of the heart disease risk factors — had low cholesterol, low blood pressure, low heart rate, no family history indicators, exercised, was trim, didn’t smoke — so the doctors had no lifestyle advise or medications for me. I seemed the epitome of health.
What was wrong with me? What could I do? (MORE)
Source: Bradenton.com
Sunday, March 21, 2010
A Guided Meditation For a New Perspective
Continuing with the theme of getting a new perspective on whatever is bothering you, this week’s blog is a guided meditation putting yourself in the bubble. Last week the focus was putting your issues in the bubble and becoming aware of their separateness from you. One of the reasons I believe this works I learned in a hatha yoga class: whenever we are witnessing ourselves, we are automatically more relaxed. This allows us to release and access more energy, mind and body. The mental adjustment makes you access a different part of your brain. Viewing yourself objectively is an extremely useful ability. The beginning of learning who we are - aside from our thoughts and feelings. Today your entire self is up for a new perspective. Set an intention for how you’d like to see yourself. Pick something that’s within the realm of possibility and also is measureable. (More)
Source: AnnArbor.com
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Ways to Improve Your Adolescents' Health
Simple, low-cost steps like wearing a pedometer to encourage walking or meditating for a few minutes every day can enhance adolescents' health, say researchers.
According to Dr Vernon Barnes, physiologist at the Medical College of Georgia's Georgia Prevention Institute, these types of side-effect-free steps can quickly help lower blood pressure, heart rate and even weight, neutralizing today's unhealthy, upward trends among young people. (MORE)
According to Dr Vernon Barnes, physiologist at the Medical College of Georgia's Georgia Prevention Institute, these types of side-effect-free steps can quickly help lower blood pressure, heart rate and even weight, neutralizing today's unhealthy, upward trends among young people. (MORE)
Source: Times of India
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
How to Meditate Your Pain Away
On March 15, a new study published in the Journal of Pain, the peer-reviewed journal of the American pain Society, found meditation an effective tool in reducing pain and anxiety. Here are some tips to meditate your pain away.
MeditationGeek, a user-friendly meditation blog, recommends these simple steps to meditating minor pain away.
Step 1: Stabilize your mind
Step 2: Identify the area where you feel pain.
Step 3: Focus your mind to the pain sensation in the area.
Step 4: Notice if the pain sensation changes.
Step 5: If your mind wanders, gently bring your mind back to the object of your meditation, which is a focused awareness on pain. (MORE)
MeditationGeek, a user-friendly meditation blog, recommends these simple steps to meditating minor pain away.
Step 1: Stabilize your mind
Step 2: Identify the area where you feel pain.
Step 3: Focus your mind to the pain sensation in the area.
Step 4: Notice if the pain sensation changes.
Step 5: If your mind wanders, gently bring your mind back to the object of your meditation, which is a focused awareness on pain. (MORE)
Source: The Independent
Monday, March 15, 2010
Meditation Boosts Overall Health
Meditation helps to calm the nervous system, eliminate stress and promote the overall physical and mental wellbeing, a visiting practitioner has said.
Yoga and Meditation expert Tarun Kumar said most diseases originated from the mind and hence it was important to achieve mental peace and tranquillity.
“It is possible to perceive the real essence of problems before they manifest physically and become less vulnerable to diseases.
“Meditation improves the power of immunity,” he said.
But he was quick to add that people with any type of physical ailment or discomfort should always seek medical help.
Mr Kumar, who started serious meditation when he was 16 years old, said he has been able to control his temper and exercise better self-control. (MORE)
Yoga and Meditation expert Tarun Kumar said most diseases originated from the mind and hence it was important to achieve mental peace and tranquillity.
“It is possible to perceive the real essence of problems before they manifest physically and become less vulnerable to diseases.
“Meditation improves the power of immunity,” he said.
But he was quick to add that people with any type of physical ailment or discomfort should always seek medical help.
Mr Kumar, who started serious meditation when he was 16 years old, said he has been able to control his temper and exercise better self-control. (MORE)
Source: Indian Newslink
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Joyful Mindfulness
Most meditation instructors I know tell their students to sit for 10 minutes a day. I tell my students to do that if they can, but if they can't, just commit to one single Mindful breath a day (see: Just One Breath a Day). A friend jokingly called it "Mindfulness Lite". I teased him back by saying, "No, it's much worse, it's Mindfulness UltraLight".
In practicing meditation, one often comes across interesting surprises. My biggest surprise in practicing Shamatha (Calm Abiding), a practice leading to profound concentration, is the insight that relaxation forms the foundation of Shamatha. When the mind is relaxed, it becomes more calm and stable. These qualities deepen Shamatha, which in turn strengthens relaxation, thus forming a virtuous cycle. Paradoxically, deep concentration is built upon relaxation. (MORE)
In practicing meditation, one often comes across interesting surprises. My biggest surprise in practicing Shamatha (Calm Abiding), a practice leading to profound concentration, is the insight that relaxation forms the foundation of Shamatha. When the mind is relaxed, it becomes more calm and stable. These qualities deepen Shamatha, which in turn strengthens relaxation, thus forming a virtuous cycle. Paradoxically, deep concentration is built upon relaxation. (MORE)
Source: Huffington Post
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The Business of Meditation
MEDITATION is now moving into the boardroom with studies showing that it improves concentration, workers are now being encouraged to tune in and chill out.
Once a week, a handful of Blake Dawson lawyers and support staff take the lift to a hushed conference room in Sydney’s George Street.
They are not meeting for a tough legal pitch.
They are there to do a voluntary lunchtime group meditation. They’re not alone.
Businesses such as NAB, Victoria Police, Diabetes Australia, Origin Energy and the CEO Institute have also run meditation sessions.
These are corporate heavies who are as far away from ohm-chanting, saffron-robed monks as you can get. What’s going on? (More)
Once a week, a handful of Blake Dawson lawyers and support staff take the lift to a hushed conference room in Sydney’s George Street.
They are not meeting for a tough legal pitch.
They are there to do a voluntary lunchtime group meditation. They’re not alone.
Businesses such as NAB, Victoria Police, Diabetes Australia, Origin Energy and the CEO Institute have also run meditation sessions.
These are corporate heavies who are as far away from ohm-chanting, saffron-robed monks as you can get. What’s going on? (More)
Source: Hearld Sun
Friday, March 12, 2010
Stop Wasting Time and Start Meditating
Saying that Buddhism is the way to build a more compassionate, joyful way of life is the same as saying that Home Depot is the way to build a house. You will find some useful tools there, some incredible directions, and even people you can ask for help, but eventually all the concepts, teachings, labels, and perceptions of what "it" is have to melt in the presence of who you really are. All alone, yet not alone at all.
Like you, and me, and Home Depot, Buddhism did not always exist, and at some point it will cease to exist. Either because not enough of us practice it, or the human race ends, or everyone practices it so it becomes not a practice but just something you do, like sleeping, eating, or shitting. The body of thought and ritual and practice we call Buddhism is totally impermanent and will end. And that's part of what makes it special, just like our own inscrutable expiration dates are what make us so special. But here's why that doesn't even matter. (MORE)
Like you, and me, and Home Depot, Buddhism did not always exist, and at some point it will cease to exist. Either because not enough of us practice it, or the human race ends, or everyone practices it so it becomes not a practice but just something you do, like sleeping, eating, or shitting. The body of thought and ritual and practice we call Buddhism is totally impermanent and will end. And that's part of what makes it special, just like our own inscrutable expiration dates are what make us so special. But here's why that doesn't even matter. (MORE)
Source: Beliefnet
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Benefits of Mindful Sitting
Mindfulness in America is a rapidly growing phenomenon currently gaining momentum in the form of the awareness meditation movement. While meditation is often taught as a practice distinct from the Buddhist religion, the practice was adapted from and continues to be informed by Buddhist principles.
"Mindfulness is part of the eightfold path for those who would be noble ... taught by the Buddha in his first public teaching at Sarnath," Jay Garfield, a professor of Buddhist studies said. "Mindfulness is necessary to maintain one's practice, whatever one's practice is, for it involves focusing on current state of mind, current intention, current motivation, current action." (MORE)
"Mindfulness is part of the eightfold path for those who would be noble ... taught by the Buddha in his first public teaching at Sarnath," Jay Garfield, a professor of Buddhist studies said. "Mindfulness is necessary to maintain one's practice, whatever one's practice is, for it involves focusing on current state of mind, current intention, current motivation, current action." (MORE)
Source: The Smith College Sophian
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
What Is Meditation?
Meditation is the art of listening to the universe. It is about cultivating and increasing our capacity to be receptive. When we are receptive, we are better able to hear the wisdom of the universe and the wisdom of the soul. During moments of meditation, the aim is to calm the mind in order to hear the whispers of the soul. This soft voice is what we are trying to connect with and access. Once we tune in, it has the power to transfigure our reality. It contains the wisdom to solve our problems, to empower us and lead us on the right path.
Meditation over time teaches us to sit still and listen, to become aware and control our rampant thoughts, to embrace silence and become comfortable with it, open up our minds to receive guidance, inspiration and fulfillment. (More)
Meditation over time teaches us to sit still and listen, to become aware and control our rampant thoughts, to embrace silence and become comfortable with it, open up our minds to receive guidance, inspiration and fulfillment. (More)
Source: Huffington Post
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Transcendental Meditation Activates Brain's Natural Ground State
Transcendental Meditation technique has the ability to activate the default mode network-a suggested natural "ground state" of the brain, according to a new EEG study.
The three-month randomised control study was conducted on college students at American University.
The study found that the TM technique produces a unique state of "restful alertness," as seen in the markedly higher alpha power in the frontal cortex and lower beta and gamma waves in the same frontal areas during TM practice.
It creates greater alpha coherence between the left and right hemispheres of the brain suggesting the brain is working as a whole.
The technique also enhances an individual's sense of "self" by activating what neuroscientists call the "default mode network" in the brain.
The brain's "default mode network" is considered the natural ground state of the brain, glimpsed by neuroscientists during eyes-closed rest but more fully activated during Transcendental Meditation practice. The study has been published in a special issue of Cognitive Processing dedicated to the Neuroscience of Meditation and Consciousness. (ANI)
The three-month randomised control study was conducted on college students at American University.
The study found that the TM technique produces a unique state of "restful alertness," as seen in the markedly higher alpha power in the frontal cortex and lower beta and gamma waves in the same frontal areas during TM practice.
It creates greater alpha coherence between the left and right hemispheres of the brain suggesting the brain is working as a whole.
The technique also enhances an individual's sense of "self" by activating what neuroscientists call the "default mode network" in the brain.
The brain's "default mode network" is considered the natural ground state of the brain, glimpsed by neuroscientists during eyes-closed rest but more fully activated during Transcendental Meditation practice. The study has been published in a special issue of Cognitive Processing dedicated to the Neuroscience of Meditation and Consciousness. (ANI)
Source: OneIndia
Monday, March 8, 2010
Alternative Medicine: The Rising Quest for Magic Bullets
Health experts say alongside conventional medicine, one can use alternative therapy to speed up healing. Practices may base themselves on traditional medicine, folk knowledge, spiritual beliefs, or newly conceived approaches to healing.
Some alternative therapies have proved to be effective. These include Chinese and Indian traditional complementary treatments. (MORE)
Some alternative therapies have proved to be effective. These include Chinese and Indian traditional complementary treatments. (MORE)
Source: The Citizen
Sunday, March 7, 2010
A Mindless Race to the Middle?
What do mindful awareness, Velveeta cheese, and saltines have in common? Other than the fact that I like both meditating and eating Velveeta cheese on saltine crackers, the three don't have much in common. At least not yet.
But as mindfulness meditation moves beyond the realm of academics and adepts (those who have developed an impressive degree of aptitude in the practice of Buddhist meditation) into popular culture there's growing pressure to distill mindfulness down to programs that can be articulated in sound-bites -- or what is called in Hollywood an "elevator pitch." Programs that can be described in one or two lines, the amount of time it takes to ride between floors on an elevator. Sometimes I joke about what seems to be a race to create the "Velveeta Cheese" of mindfulness programs--where wide dissemination, sustainability and replication are paramount, even at the expense of the wisdom upon which the classical traditions (and the programs) are based. (More)
But as mindfulness meditation moves beyond the realm of academics and adepts (those who have developed an impressive degree of aptitude in the practice of Buddhist meditation) into popular culture there's growing pressure to distill mindfulness down to programs that can be articulated in sound-bites -- or what is called in Hollywood an "elevator pitch." Programs that can be described in one or two lines, the amount of time it takes to ride between floors on an elevator. Sometimes I joke about what seems to be a race to create the "Velveeta Cheese" of mindfulness programs--where wide dissemination, sustainability and replication are paramount, even at the expense of the wisdom upon which the classical traditions (and the programs) are based. (More)
Source: Huffington Post
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Learning About Transcendental Meditation
Transcendental meditation is a deceptively simple meditation technique that uses a mantra — a repeating word, phrase or sound — to help a person clear their mind and attain a deep state of relaxation or awareness. If mindlessness is our automatic reaction to everyday events and interactions with others, transcendental meditation seeks to go beyond such reactions,
to experience the source of thought — pure awareness, also known as transcendental consciousness. This is the most silent and peaceful level of consciousness — your innermost Self. In this state of restful alertness, your brain functions with significantly greater coherence and your body gains deep rest. (More)
to experience the source of thought — pure awareness, also known as transcendental consciousness. This is the most silent and peaceful level of consciousness — your innermost Self. In this state of restful alertness, your brain functions with significantly greater coherence and your body gains deep rest. (More)
Source: Psych Central
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Science of Healthy Minds Brings Dalai Lama to UW-Madison
The Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Waisman Center will welcome His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to its public grand-opening celebration Saturday-Sunday, May 15-16.
UW-Madison neuroscientist Richard Davidson established the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds (CIHM) to scientifically determine how healthy qualities of mind develop and to investigate interventions to cultivate those qualities in children and adults.
Davidson has worked with expert meditation practitioners to determine how meditation changed their brains to encourage happiness, compassion and kindness. CIHM will extend this research to a broader audience and will be the first translational research facility to include a brain imaging lab and meditation space under one roof. (More)
UW-Madison neuroscientist Richard Davidson established the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds (CIHM) to scientifically determine how healthy qualities of mind develop and to investigate interventions to cultivate those qualities in children and adults.
Davidson has worked with expert meditation practitioners to determine how meditation changed their brains to encourage happiness, compassion and kindness. CIHM will extend this research to a broader audience and will be the first translational research facility to include a brain imaging lab and meditation space under one roof. (More)
Source: UW Madison
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Can Meditation Reverse Memory Loss?
Study Shows Improvement on Memory Tests After Practicing Meditation for 8 Weeks
Meditation can increase blood flow in the brain and improve memory, according to researchers who tested a specific kind of meditation and found the improvement after just eight weeks.
The 15 participants, ages 52 to 77, all had memory problems at the start, says Dharma Singh Khalsa, MD, one of the researchers and the medical director of the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation in Tucson, Ariz.
For eight weeks, the participants engaged in a meditation at home known as Kirtan Kriya, which originated from the Kundalini yoga tradition.
"It only takes 12 minutes [a day,] it's easy to learn, it doesn't cost anything, and it has no side effects," Khalsa tells WebMD. The technique, he says, "reverses memory loss in people with memory problems." (More)
Meditation can increase blood flow in the brain and improve memory, according to researchers who tested a specific kind of meditation and found the improvement after just eight weeks.
The 15 participants, ages 52 to 77, all had memory problems at the start, says Dharma Singh Khalsa, MD, one of the researchers and the medical director of the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation in Tucson, Ariz.
For eight weeks, the participants engaged in a meditation at home known as Kirtan Kriya, which originated from the Kundalini yoga tradition.
"It only takes 12 minutes [a day,] it's easy to learn, it doesn't cost anything, and it has no side effects," Khalsa tells WebMD. The technique, he says, "reverses memory loss in people with memory problems." (More)
Source: Web MD
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Cool a Stressful Life With Meditation
Visualize the lift. Breathe in… Breathe out. Grip the bar… Lift.
It’s a routine that powerlifter Huy Nhan has performed hundreds of times while preparing to deadlift 575 pounds. He incorporated the visualization and deep breathing techniques into his routine three years ago to improve his concentration, with surprising results.
“I’ve gotten a lot stronger from it,” said Nhan, 24, a kinesiology strength and conditioning major. “I feel a lot healthier from it and my grades are actually a lot better as well.”
The 5′10″, 250 pound Nhan, who is training for his first power competition, uses diaphragmatic breathing and imagery meditation prior to each lift. He also meditates throughout the day to stay focused and calm. (More)
It’s a routine that powerlifter Huy Nhan has performed hundreds of times while preparing to deadlift 575 pounds. He incorporated the visualization and deep breathing techniques into his routine three years ago to improve his concentration, with surprising results.
“I’ve gotten a lot stronger from it,” said Nhan, 24, a kinesiology strength and conditioning major. “I feel a lot healthier from it and my grades are actually a lot better as well.”
The 5′10″, 250 pound Nhan, who is training for his first power competition, uses diaphragmatic breathing and imagery meditation prior to each lift. He also meditates throughout the day to stay focused and calm. (More)
Source: The Cal State Fullerton Daily Titan
Monday, March 1, 2010
Universal Meditation Could Pay For The Public Option
Yes, there was a time when meditation and yoga were scorned upon as "hippie" or "new age" fads. But over and over again scientific studies have shown that meditation improves everything from heart health to study habits to forgiveness! Why wouldn't everyone want to learn meditation as a life skill? It would cut down the cost of medications, hospitalizations, surgeries, therapy needs, medical costs... Heck, everyone would be healthy! And maybe even nicer to each other. (More)
Source: Inventors Spot
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