Meditation for stress relief and personal development

[DavidS]

Meditation Correlated With Structural Changes In The Brain

A study published this week finds that an 8-week meditation course leads to structural changes in the brain. Christie Nicholson reports here in Scientific American. Meditation Correlated With Structural Changes In The Brain: Scientific American Podcast

Neuroscience has confirmed that the emotional centre (amygdala) and learning centre (hippocampus) both undergo structural changes during as little as eight weeks meditation practice (for 20 mins a day, I think it was, not all day, obviously).

[culchie82]

Yeah I had read before that Meditation supposedly makes parts of your brain larger. I've given it a go quite a few times, along with the deep Breathing. It's not bad, but for me, aerobic exercise the best way to combat stress. Leaves you totally relaxed, yet buzzing inside (probably the endorphins). Swimming is probably the best - kind to the old joints!

[DavidS]

It's not bad, but for me, aerobic exercise the best way to combat stress.

Problem with swimming is the chlorine exposure. I gave up because of that. Swimming is quite meditative, actually.

Meditation often will not combat stress instantly: the idea is that when you meditate its hard work and nothing much beneficial seems to happen. But miraculously, with hindsight, you can see that you are, somehow, more chilled, more focused, and need less in terms of material things to be content.

That's how it's been for me, and it fits in with the research, too.

[culchie82]

What side effects did you get from chlorine exposure David? Must do some research into any long term effects.

[DavidS]

Sore eyes, itchy skin, esp around the orifices. Wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't strip the skin of its natural defences, esp antifungal.

And on one memorable occasion when it wasn't mixed right, a completely transparent costume. I'm surprised the society didn't get involved. Fortunately I wasn't the only one lol. A lot of interested spectators that day.

[culchie82]

Lol to the above David. That reminds me, laughing Yoga is supposedly an excellent way to cope with stress as well.

[scott56]

i find indian cherokee music works well just close your eyes and listening i found my self in a trance and much better whne i came out (but that may just work for me just thorugh i would share)

[DavidS]

I notice there is a new free site devoted to my favourite meditation system for the secular or religious westerner,
http://guidestoenlightenment.com .

The two books can be read and searched on-site, questions can be asked/answered.

The meditation method itself is at 2.3.2 The practice of meditation. | Guides to Enlightenment

[Revolutionnaire]

Out of interest, how do you really meditate? Do you actively empty the mind and think of absolutely nothing for a period of time like 2 hours?

[DavidS]

The meditation method itself is at 2.3.2 The practice of meditation. | Guides to Enlightenment

Out of interest, how do you really meditate? Do you actively empty the mind and think of absolutely nothing for a period of time like 2 hours?

Well, read the above.

The key to success in meditation is to realise that the period of meditation (initially and for some time just 15 mins a day, every day) is often very tiresome and aggravating. It is the REST of the time that life becomes easier.

You cannot "empty the mind." That is a theoretical endpoint of meditation - it will happen, but only when you have long since given up trying to do it. It is a common mistake, but it is like saying that you have to get rid of your headache before taking the paracetamol.