Mindfulness Meditation Proves People Can Change
January 26th, 2011
Some people avoid finding a therapist because they believe they are too flawed, that they can never change, that they are ‘stuck’ with elements of themselves they resent with no hope for change or improvement. “I’m wired this way,” they might say, and to some extent they’re right. Our brains are habitual: they learn patterns and tend to adopt those patterns as a default. But that doesn’t mean the pattern can’t be over-ridden. In fact just eight weeks of mindfulness meditation can render changes in brain structure that are visible through MRI. Mindfulness meditation is often used as a supplement to psychotherapy and is scientific proof that humans do have the ability to change.
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Absolutely true – we now the brain retains neuroplasticity, the ability to change itself, throughout life. Mindfulness practices are making their way into all sorts of therapy modalities and hopefully into mainstream culture as well. It’s exciting – and needed…
I have always been the kind of person to say don’t try to change me, this is just the way that I am. But I am open to new experiences and learning opportunities so this sounds like something that I would like to explore. There are some things about me that I don’t like and that I would like to change but have never had the strength to do. Maybe this will give me the motivation and the encouragement and the will that I have been looking for. This will maybe let me get to know myself better and the things that drive me and make those changes that need to be made.
i’d call such people just pessimists…because the human mind has the power to change anything and if you say its not possible its only because you are a pessimist and are too damn lazy!
If a person decides to change he definitely can. Those who say they can’t just don’t want to put in an effort. End of the story!
This is the same thing the entry on the positive emotions making you feel good says. Meditation is largely a positive experience for those that do it and those that believe in the effects of it can help them overcome a lot of things.
If a person is refusing to find help,there is a lot that family and friends can do. Sometimes even a small pep talk can change the thinking of a person and convince him to seek help.
Is this something you could work on with a therapist or separate from those sessions?
that a method can have an effect on the brain structure is amazing!it must be very effective too!
If you’re a religious person, worship can work just as well as meditation and vice versa. I believe meditation and prayer work on the principle of belief that it will work. To an atheist, prayer will do absolutely nothing. However a deeply religious person will place all their faith in its rewards. Meditation and prayer are two sides of the same coin. Both are there to reassure and calm your mind. The only difference is that prayer goes out to whichever deity you worship.
I feel that meditation is a bunch of superstitious nonsense. If the soul is above the physical realm, how can your physical makeup become affected by it? Is meditation spiritual or physical? People can’t seem to make up their minds about it.
@Corey: Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, my friend. Have you ever tried meditation? Make the effort sometime and you may find your answer to that question. How’s that for irony? :)
Belle, meditation is impossible for me. Every time I try to do it I either fall asleep or something distracts me. It just seems to be more hassle than it should be and not a good investment of my time. Is it ironic that not being able to meditate correctly stresses me out? LOL.
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