Comments on: Meditation and the Brain – Research Report http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/ Exploring Healthy Psychotherapy Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:06:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Edison Carter http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/#comment-13875 Edison Carter Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:45:13 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1159#comment-13875 Thanks, Daniel. When I was in college I tried some of the do-it-yourself approaches to meditation. But found it difficult. What worked for me was TM. Even from the very first session it was totally and completely effortless. The subjective experience was amazing. I've been doing it for a while now and it is still a welcome relief to the cares of the work-a-day world. All the Best to You. Thanks, Daniel. When I was in college I tried some of the do-it-yourself approaches to meditation. But found it difficult. What worked for me was TM. Even from the very first session it was totally and completely effortless. The subjective experience was amazing. I’ve been doing it for a while now and it is still a welcome relief to the cares of the work-a-day world. All the Best to You.

]]> By: tudy http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/#comment-13795 tudy Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:56:55 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1159#comment-13795 I find it easy to meditate with meditation CD's. These are wonderful and I tend to go with the low humming of music in the backgrounds. This is very hypnotic and I enjoy just listening to the sounds. Also, I may be strange, but I love listening to CD's that have the thunderstorm sounds. I find it easy to meditate with meditation CD’s. These are wonderful and I tend to go with the low humming of music in the backgrounds. This is very hypnotic and I enjoy just listening to the sounds. Also, I may be strange, but I love listening to CD’s that have the thunderstorm sounds.

]]> By: Laura http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/#comment-13589 Laura Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:59:01 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1159#comment-13589 So I am wrong in thinking that I am just too busy and stressed overall to give meditation a try? I am not sure I am open to it. So I am wrong in thinking that I am just too busy and stressed overall to give meditation a try? I am not sure I am open to it.

]]> By: Caroline http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/#comment-13571 Caroline Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:52:11 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1159#comment-13571 Thanks for that Daniel. I have always been too busy thinking about what was supposed to be happening that I would lose focus on just being. Thanks for that Daniel. I have always been too busy thinking about what was supposed to be happening that I would lose focus on just being.

]]> By: BlissCat http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/#comment-13551 BlissCat Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:35:47 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1159#comment-13551 I agree with the article that regular meditation is very important. I learned Transcendental Meditation when I was a child, and it’s been great help to me in dealing with whatever comes my way. It is a very simple, effortless technique, yet it yields such wonderful results. No matter what happens, I know that twice a day I will experience the deep silence within me, get that rest which is deeper than any sleep. Then my mind is clearer, stronger, I feel so much happier, and everything is easier to handle. TM does not solve your problems for you, but better than that, it helps you achieve the strength and clarity needed to deal with any situation and be successful. I agree with the article that regular meditation is very important. I learned Transcendental Meditation when I was a child, and it’s been great help to me in dealing with whatever comes my way. It is a very simple, effortless technique, yet it yields such wonderful results. No matter what happens, I know that twice a day I will experience the deep silence within me, get that rest which is deeper than any sleep. Then my mind is clearer, stronger, I feel so much happier, and everything is easier to handle. TM does not solve your problems for you, but better than that, it helps you achieve the strength and clarity needed to deal with any situation and be successful.

]]> By: daniel brezenoff http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/#comment-13529 daniel brezenoff Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:50:54 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1159#comment-13529 To all those who report trying to meditate but being unable to control or dispel random or intrusive thoughts, I want to suggest something: Stop trying to control or dispel thoughts, stop trying to change anything about what you are or are not doing, thinking, or feeling, stop trying to "meditate"...and simply observe and accept anything that occurs, including random thoughts, your desire to control them, your inability to control them, your frustration about this inability, and your belief that this means you are not doing what you are "supposed" to do in meditation. All of that is simply your *self occurring*, and in meditation is all material to observe. That's what meditation is, essentially - self-observation. Whatever happens is fine. There is no "supposed to," no goal to achieve, no need to change a thing. Control is an illusion. I suggest, instead: Stop trying; just watch, feel, and breathe. It's much more fun that way, and the benefits will come more quickly than if we "try". It worked for me, anyway. To all those who report trying to meditate but being unable to control or dispel random or intrusive thoughts, I want to suggest something: Stop trying to control or dispel thoughts, stop trying to change anything about what you are or are not doing, thinking, or feeling, stop trying to “meditate”…and simply observe and accept anything that occurs, including random thoughts, your desire to control them, your inability to control them, your frustration about this inability, and your belief that this means you are not doing what you are “supposed” to do in meditation. All of that is simply your *self occurring*, and in meditation is all material to observe. That’s what meditation is, essentially – self-observation. Whatever happens is fine. There is no “supposed to,” no goal to achieve, no need to change a thing. Control is an illusion. I suggest, instead: Stop trying; just watch, feel, and breathe. It’s much more fun that way, and the benefits will come more quickly than if we “try”. It worked for me, anyway.

]]> By: Patty http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/#comment-13519 Patty Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:37:46 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1159#comment-13519 Meditation has many benefits and is very well worth the time and effort put into it. Meditation at first, does take some time getting used to, especially controlling those random thoughts that keep popping up. Be patient and the benefits will happen. Meditation has many benefits and is very well worth the time and effort put into it. Meditation at first, does take some time getting used to, especially controlling those random thoughts that keep popping up. Be patient and the benefits will happen.

]]> By: jeni http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/#comment-13515 jeni Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:35:45 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1159#comment-13515 I agree that meditation takes some time and practice. I have tried to meditate, but like many others, I have a hard time focusing on what I am supposed to be doing at the time due to other things keeps crossing my mind while meditating. I agree that meditation takes some time and practice. I have tried to meditate, but like many others, I have a hard time focusing on what I am supposed to be doing at the time due to other things keeps crossing my mind while meditating.

]]> By: Kelly http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/#comment-13509 Kelly Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:28:33 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1159#comment-13509 Meditation has helped me through many rough experiences. it did take me a while to get the hang of it but I now wouyld never trade it for anything in the world. There are many times when I feel very stressed that this helps me to relax and focus on all of the good rather than the bad things in my life. I would highly recommend this as a way to experience one's own personal therapy. It can be quite useful and therapeutic for not only the great stresses of life but also the everyday small things that can sometimes get you down. Meditation has helped me through many rough experiences. it did take me a while to get the hang of it but I now wouyld never trade it for anything in the world. There are many times when I feel very stressed that this helps me to relax and focus on all of the good rather than the bad things in my life. I would highly recommend this as a way to experience one’s own personal therapy. It can be quite useful and therapeutic for not only the great stresses of life but also the everyday small things that can sometimes get you down.

]]> By: Kbob108 http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/#comment-13495 Kbob108 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 20:22:37 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1159#comment-13495 I have been practicing TM for several years and find it to be very easy to do and get really profound benefit from it. I look forward to my TM sessions and I can do it anywhere; in a car, the airport etc. it doesn't require a quiet place. Its really quite amazing. Oh, I also wanted to mention that TM does no involve focusing on the breathe or trying to keep the mind free of thoughts. Its a natural technique for diving within. I highly recommend it. You can get more info by calling 888-LearnTM Enjoy! I have been practicing TM for several years and find it to be very easy to do and get really profound benefit from it. I look forward to my TM sessions and I can do it anywhere; in a car, the airport etc. it doesn’t require a quiet place. Its really quite amazing. Oh, I also wanted to mention that TM does no involve focusing on the breathe or trying to keep the mind free of thoughts. Its a natural technique for diving within. I highly recommend it. You can get more info by calling 888-LearnTM
Enjoy!

]]> By: Michael http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/#comment-13481 Michael Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:08:57 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1159#comment-13481 I am like the author in the Eat, Pray, Love book. I am usually thinking of something else during meditation time when I am supposed to be thinking about nothing. I am like the author in the Eat, Pray, Love book. I am usually thinking of something else during meditation time when I am supposed to be thinking about nothing.

]]> By: naomi http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/#comment-13453 naomi Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:00:25 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1159#comment-13453 I have been trying light meditation techniques over the last 2 weeks and I find myself energised and focussed all day long. I was advised to do so because of depressive spells over the last 2 years. It definitely has helped to a large extent. I have been trying light meditation techniques over the last 2 weeks and I find myself energised and focussed all day long. I was advised to do so because of depressive spells over the last 2 years. It definitely has helped to a large extent.

]]> By: Oliver http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/#comment-13441 Oliver Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:12:44 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1159#comment-13441 I would love to be able to meditate but find that I never can locate the time or the energy to do it most effectively. Sometimes when I am able to take a little time out of my hectic achedule i will attempt to take a few minutes for myself and go to another place mentally but I feel I never really can get away from it all. I hope to do a little more research on the subject though and commit to it more than I have done in the past especially since there are now so many conclusions about how good it can be for you. I would love to be able to meditate but find that I never can locate the time or the energy to do it most effectively. Sometimes when I am able to take a little time out of my hectic achedule i will attempt to take a few minutes for myself and go to another place mentally but I feel I never really can get away from it all. I hope to do a little more research on the subject though and commit to it more than I have done in the past especially since there are now so many conclusions about how good it can be for you.

]]> By: Glory Dog http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/meditation-brain/#comment-13437 Glory Dog Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:18:47 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=1159#comment-13437 Very exciting to see more research coming out on the effects of meditation. Also interesting is the phenomena of "EEG coherence" found in subjects practicing Transcendental Meditation. A dozen studies on TM have noted this, finding strong coherence (and heightened alpha power) throughout all areas of the brain during the meditative state and a resulting growth of more orderly and efficient brain function outside of meditation. The research has also found correlates between increased EEG coherence and growth of IQ, creativity, learning ability, and better memory, and decreased anxiety—all resulting from regular meditation practice. To look at the research, you can go to DoctorsOnTM.org. Thanks for the article. Very exciting to see more research coming out on the effects of meditation. Also interesting is the phenomena of “EEG coherence” found in subjects practicing Transcendental Meditation. A dozen studies on TM have noted this, finding strong coherence (and heightened alpha power) throughout all areas of the brain during the meditative state and a resulting growth of more orderly and efficient brain function outside of meditation. The research has also found correlates between increased EEG coherence and growth of IQ, creativity, learning ability, and better memory, and decreased anxiety—all resulting from regular meditation practice. To look at the research, you can go to DoctorsOnTM.org.

Thanks for the article.

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