The science behind meditation. - by Epos Nix
Epos Nix on 14/3/2008 at 03:44
(
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43006-2005Jan2.html)
(
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/101/46/16369)
These two links take you to a couple of not-so-recent studies done on the effects of meditation on the brain. The results seem to indicate that long-term meditation causes the brain to essentially 'rewire' itself resulting in a much higher output of gamma wave activity, among other things.
Now this is exciting to me for two reasons: a) I'm a practicing Buddhist who meditates on a semi-regular basis and b) It's very rare that any religious (or in this case, semi-religious) practice yields measurable results.
That said, I started the thread not so much to share the study (though I do find it fascinating) but rather to discuss the implications of the data, if any. To be more precise: Buddhists believe the Buddha meditated his way to an elevated state of consciousness he called enlightenment 2500 years ago and here we have a study showing there is a definite change in how the brain works among long-time practitioners. From a scientific standpoint and assuming Buddha did indeed achieve some sort of altered state of consciousness, what in the world is happening here and why would meditation result in this effect? Does the brain indeed tap into some other method of consciousness when it is 'programmed' to totally ignore the Self?
I ask because I'm not nearly as well versed in psychology as I'm sure some of our members are and, as I said, I have a vested interest in what I could be doing to my own being through my practice.
Spaztick on 14/3/2008 at 10:05
This space for rent for trollers. If you can hunt down DX-455 and tell him to give me my copy of Gothic 3 that'd be payment enough.
Okay back on topic.
Koki on 14/3/2008 at 15:47
I'd like to put the following into Spatzick's rental space:
"So the more you think, the better at thinking you are? Holy Batman, Science"
Epos Nix on 14/3/2008 at 16:02
Typically Buddhist meditation requires one to cease active thought actually. One is to remain aware and perceptive, but thinking doesn't play much of a role which is why I find it odd that it results in an increase in brain wave activity.
Thanks for playing though.
37637598 on 14/3/2008 at 17:34
well if you figure anything out, you have to swear to tell us all when you do, otherwise you're not our friend anymore! Buddhists never talk about that stuff! I'm really interested in the same subject, I meditate a lot, and I've found it to bring out many feelings which are new to me. Sometimes good, sometimes scary.
Starrfall on 14/3/2008 at 19:24
To be honest I'd be more impressed if you could shoot the gamma rays out of your eyes or something.
Mingan on 15/3/2008 at 00:05
Gamma WAVES, girl, not RAYS. Totally different.
Don'thurtmeplease
SubJeff on 15/3/2008 at 01:00
Quote Posted by Epos Nix
Typically Buddhist meditation requires one to cease active thought actually. One is to remain aware and perceptive, but thinking doesn't play much of a role which is why I find it odd that it results in an
increase in brain wave activity.
Simple theory explanation: meditation acts to cut off other activity, in the same way as tensing (and thus activating) muscles is required to prevent movement by an external agent.
Therefore gamma spamming the brain is required to blanket block active thought. At low levels it may be used in other ways, but in this way it could act as white noise to neurones.
Word.
Gray on 15/3/2008 at 02:03
If you think "meditation" is too long and difficult a word to understand, then try this.
10 SIT
20 BREATHE
30 GOTO 10
Thusly, meditation will occur, sooner or later.
