Harvard researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), decided that meditation literally rebuild the gray matter of the brain just eight weeks. This is the first study to document that meditation produces changes from time to time in the gray matter of the brain.
Although the practice of meditation is associated with a sense of peacefulness and physical relaxation, meditation practitioners have long claimed that meditation also provide cognitive and psychological benefits that persist throughout the day. This study demonstrates that changes in brain structure may underlie some of these improvements and feel better because they spend a relaxing time ", says Sara Lazar of the MGH Psychiatric Neuroimaging Research Program and an instructor in psychology at Harvard Medical School.
The study involved taking a magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the brains of 16 study participants two weeks before participating in the study. MRI images of the participants were also taken after the study is completed.
"Analysis of MR images, focusing on the areas where differences related to meditation shown in previous studies, found an increase in the density of gray matter in the hippocampus, which is known to be important for learning and memory, and structures associated with self-awareness, compassion and introspection" ,
For this study, participants were involved practice of meditation every day for about 30 minutes. These practices include a focus on audio recordings for guided meditation, a state of mind that does not thrill jumping, feelings and state of mind at peace.
"It's exciting to see the plasticity of the brain. That by practicing meditation, we can play an active role in changing the brain and can improve the health and quality of life. Other studies in different patient populations have shown that meditation can make significant improvements in symptoms, and we are now investigating the underlying mechanisms in the brain that facilitate this change ", said Britta Hölzel, author and a researcher at the MGH and Giessen University in Germany
How to Meditate
A common misconception about meditation is someone has to sit in a certain way or doing something in order to achieve a variety of benefits that can be provided. All you have to do is put yourself in a position that is most comfortable for you. You can do with sitting cross-legged, lying in bed, sitting on the couch etc, it's all your choice. Prayer, in fact also a form of meditation, because prayer is able to reconcile the mind.
Another common misconception about meditation is that you are required to strive to empty your mind. One important factor that I enjoy after reading the studies mentioned above are, involving participants reveal "state of mind that does not thrill of jumping, feelings and state of mind of peace". When meditating, you do not need to try to empty your mind. Instead, try to let the thoughts, feelings and emotions that you feel whatever continues to flow naturally. Do not try to stop, let it come and go, and make peace with it.
