Plasticity and meditation

rainer · Post by **rainer** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 12:50 pm

Kinda cool.

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-01-min ... weeks.html

Participating in an 8-week mindfulness meditation program appears to make measurable changes in brain regions associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress. In a study that will appear in the January 30 issue of Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, a team led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers report the results of their study, the first to document meditation-produced changes over time in the brain's grey matter.

Lyon · Post by **Lyon** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 1:17 pm

sou · Post by **sou** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 7:39 pm

What's next? Prayer? Divine intervention?

These sound like spells from RPGs. Don't they have anything better to research about rehabilitation?

scorpion · Post by **scorpion** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 8:02 am

sou wrote:What's next? Prayer? Divine intervention?

These sound like spells from RPGs. Don't they have anything better to research about rehabilitation?

Hey you forgot the (r)! Nice to hear from you Sou hope things are well!

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:04 am

Kabat-Zinn wrote:How to Try Mindfulness Meditation

1. Find a quiet and comfortable place. Sit in a chair or on the floor with your head, neck and back straight but not stiff.

2. Try to put aside all thoughts of the past and the future and stay in the present.

3. Become aware of your breathing, focusing on the sensation of air moving in and out of your body as you breathe. Feel your belly rise and fall, the air enter your nostrils and leave your mouth. Pay attention to the way each breath changes and is different.

4. Watch every thought come and go, whether it be a worry, fear, anxiety or hope. When thoughts come up in your mind, don't ignore or suppress them but simply note them, remain calm and use your breathing as an anchor.

5. If you find yourself getting carried away in your thoughts, observe where your mind went off to, without judging, and simply return to your breathing. Remember not to be hard on yourself if this happens.

6. As the time comes to a close, sit for a minute or two, becoming aware of where you are. Get up gradually.

From: http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/mindbod ... tation.htm