Unless you’ve been living in a cave the last few years (meditating of course), you’ve been reading the huge number of articles touting the benefits of meditating from stress reduction to better concentration.
Here are two more research areas – supporting what cave dwelling meditators have experienced but not read (cave dwellers don’t get good internet reception)- which found that meditation has very real effects on your brain and can be seen on a brain scans (which are not available in caves).
Cushy Cave by Peggy
Meditation measurably reduces anxiety.
The medial prefrontal cortex is the part that processes information relating to ourselves and our experiences. Normally the neural pathways from our bodily sensation and fear centers in the brain to the prefrontal cortex are really strong. When you experience a scary or upsetting sensation, it triggers a strong neuro-chemical reaction creating a “fear response” and you think you are “under attack”.
Meditation weakens this neural connection and consequently we don’t react as strongly to any sensations we might have . The more we meditate the betterwe weaken this connection and simultaneously strengthen the connection between the part of our brains known for reasoning. So when we experience frightening or upsetting sensations, we can more easily look at them rationally.
Meditation improves memory recall
Researcher Catherine Kerr “found that people who practiced mindful meditation were able to adjust the brain wave that screens out distractions and increase their productivity more quickly that those who did not meditate. She said that this ability to ignore distractions could explain ‘their superior ability to rapidly remember and incorporate new facts.
MAXyourMIND 
Not sure if meditating while being attacked by a mountain lion is a good course of action, but definitely understand and have experienced the benefits of calmly breathing and tuning out external influences on a regular basis.
Our go-go/news of the moment/instant gratification/constant distraction world is not conducive to rational thought and reasoning – all the more reason to regularly stop and smell the roses.
LikeLike
Rick,
I totally agree.
On the other hand, if paying dead is the best option in dealing with a mountain lion…….
Peggy
LikeLike
Rick,
Breathing is an excellent way to shift away from tension and stress. I do a walking meditation with Freddie. Just say a “mantra”, prayer or word over and over. I’m continually surprised to see people walking for exercise while on their phones.
LikeLike
Interesting info. I should learn to meditate more regularly – I should do a lot of things more regularly.
LikeLike
Shari,
That makes two of us!
jw.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seriously, I wonder if both of us might benefit from a meditation class – to relieve my stress, your pain. I think it’s really hard to actually get into a true meditative state.
LikeLike
Sharon,
I used to meditate, but stopped. I keep trying to get back to it, and have been doing a bit lately. The most inspiration I have gotten was from the book “Joy on Demand” by Chade-Ming Tan (it is on our “need to read” list here). It encourages small meditations to start.
Peggy
LikeLiked by 1 person
I got the book today from the library! I sure need to learn how to meditate etc. thanks
LikeLike
Happy meditating 🙂
Peggy
LikeLike