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Brain Health Benefits of Meditation Making the News
Meditation Benefits for the Brain
Health Benefits of Meditation
Recently I came across an article in mainstream media that caught my attention and I thought it would be worth sharing with all of you. The article was titled "6 Natural Cures that Actually Work," and was filed under the Alternative Medicine section at msnbc.com. Of the 6 natural cures the article listed, meditation as one of them, and here is what it had to say about the health benefits and medical application of meditation.
The article suggested that meditation had proven effective for combating stress and anxiety, and it was also good for the health of the brain. With regard to the brain, the article indicated that meditation was good for enhancing memory and mental focus. For proof regarding these claims, the article cited the following research…
Ongoing research at Emory University in Atlanta suggests meditation can reduce feelings of anger and stress. And researchers using brain imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston learned that the cerebral cortex — a brain region associated with attention and memory — was thicker in meditators. The cerebral cortex thins with age, which could be linked with memory loss.
In the article Top 10 Benefits of Meditation, I gave my view of all that meditation can do for you, and it is nice to see science and mainstream society starting to get on board and realize the enormous benefits of this incredible spiritual practice.
Meditation undoubtedly is excellent for brain function and several brain researchers are now listing meditation as a must if you want to ward off all kinds of brain health issues as you age. Meditation can help with everything from Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, memory problems, concentration, awareness, etc, and the sooner you start the better it is for you.
To help you get started, or to enhance your practice, here are 2 free resources available on Mastery of Meditation: Learn How to Meditate | Beginner’s Meditation Course and The Free Online Guided Meditation Techniques E-book. No more excuses, just begin!
If you are interested in reading the original article and learning about the other alternative cures they listed, here is a link to that article: 6 Natural Cures that Work.
on June 18th, 2008 at 5:14 am
Dear Anmol,
I wish you write about how to break and remove mental / psychological blocks / barriers / walls and let ones hidden talents and infinite possibilities to grow??
I question you because I am suffering with such blocks which i need to remove.
This will help thousands of other visitors of your site also.
Love,
vikram.
on June 18th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Yes meditation is really helpful to release all stress and pain, really. In recent past I was facing some drastic situation in my family and I was just lost, completely lost that how to overcome, then I read an article about meditation on Soulcurrymagazine.com, then I realized that I need to be in meditation atleast an hour a day.
I am thankful to God, that he helped me, this is his grace only that now I feel myself light, free from all tensions and burdens. I start meditating with Active Meditation, this helped me to throw out all of my suppressed emotions, now I practice with Beyond Boundaries, a kind of passive meditation in which you don’t need to do any efforts, one can sit calmly with the music going on, and the main thing is both technique are guided meditation techniques by an enlightened master Anandmurti Gurumaa from India, but they are available in English as well.
I also practice a new relaxation technique known as Yoga-Nidra (conscious sleep), in which one can see his/her own body in sleeping mode, yet aware of everything, this is awesome. I think each person should try it, it’s benefits are countless, really.
on June 18th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
For this I have two recommendations. What worked for me was Zazen (Zen Meditation Technique). It seemed “to fix” what needed to be fixed all on it’s own.
What has worked for others (specially those who prefer the physical approach to the mental approach) is Sodarshan Chakra Kriya.
Be warned that both techniques require proper dedication, if you can make the commitment though you will have your solution.
All Good Wishes,
Anmol
on June 18th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Thanks for sharing so many wonderful resources with everyone. Great to hear all the wonderful benefits you have received from meditation.
Blessings,
Anmol
on June 19th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Hi Anmol,
It’s my pleasure to share some spiritual links with the seekers & lovers.
on June 27th, 2008 at 12:26 am
Hey Anmol,
Interesting stuff. It’s always helpful to get some scientific verification for the subjective experience of meditators.
On a similar note, I read some research recently that implied spiritual experiences were tied in with the release of DMT from the pineal gland. You can check out the synopsis at rickstrassman.com/dmt
keep smiling,
ben
on July 2nd, 2008 at 8:56 am
Have you heard of Centerpointe Holosync? If you have, what do you think of it?
Thanks, Tom (TRCoach)
on July 13th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Being a retired pediatrician, it is wonderful to me that the benefits of meditation are being proven in ways that some people will find more acceptable. Teaching children to meditate is so helpful in today’s very hectic, stressful society. Also, I’ve enjoyed several of your articles on meditation (including your wife’s comments re your meditation “designer duds”) and am very grateful that you showed how you child-proof your meditation area and supplies.
You are a very valuable example of a thoughtful, good choice making individual who is sharing his light with the world. I will add your website to my life coaching recommendations. Thanks for all you are doing…and making free to folks. Light, Unconditional Love, and the Peace that Passes Understanding
on July 16th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Thank you for your kind words and inspiring feedback. I am glad you are enjoying the articles and I appreciate you sharing the website with those you coach.
All Good Wishes,
Anmol
on July 16th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I am always interested in these scientific studies related to meditation. Thanks for passing along the info, and please continue to do so if you come across such research in the future.
Thanks,
Anmol
on August 8th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Have heard of it, but not tried or researched it. If I do, I will pass on my thoughts to you for sure.
Cheers,
Anmol
on August 14th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
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