|
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
|
Can Meditation Reduce a Wandering Mind? |
|
|
|
|
Building on a wave of compelling new research suggesting meditation practice positively affects brain structure and function, researchers at Yale University have found meditation practice to reduce activity in brain regions associated with mind wandering. Such research is integral in helping us to begin understanding the precise mechanisms by which meditation exerts positive effects across numerous numerous domains.
Judson Brewer and colleagues assessed the impact of mindfulness-based meditation on activity along the default mode network (DMN) brain axis, a region associated with attentional lapses, anxiety, and certain disorders (i.e., ADHD and Alzheimer’s disease). Functional MRI (brain imaging) was employed to determine brain activity during resting and meditating states among experienced meditators and meditation-naïve subjects. Three types of meditations were measured: concentration (focusing on a single object or experience, such as the breath), loving-kindness (attending to thoughts of kindness and compassion towards oneself and others); and choice-less awareness (allowing attention to note any element of experience as it arises and passes through present awareness). Experienced meditators were found to feature less DMN activation and mind wandering than did novices. Different connectivity patterns were seen in experienced meditators compared to controls in a number of brain regions, most notably the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (associated with cognitive control and attentional resources). The researchers note their results "support the hypothesis that alterations in the DMN are related to reduction in mind-wandering." While these results are promising and feature a host of clinical implications, many more questions remain. Unanswered is the critical issue of causation; does meditation change the brain, or are those with a preexisting proclivity for reduced mind wandering and other constituents of positive psychological functioning drawn to meditation practice, potentially biasing study outcomes? Dr. Charles Raison, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, has conducted research which “suggests that some things thought to be the result of meditation might be cause of meditation.” He muses those gifted at inhibiting mind wandering may be inherently predisposed and simply fulfilling their karmic path, thus explicating why meditation draws them and not others. Future studies may elucidate which individuals may profit most from mindfulness practice, and which approaches are potentially best suited for those less intrinsically talented at ruminative inhibition. Ultimately, longitudinal studies conducted in randomly assigned treatment groups (e.g., meditation group vs. non-meditation control group) would best support discernment of the causal direction of mindfulness meditation and related mechanisms. Have you found meditation to improve your focus and/or reduce your mind wandering? If so, what type of meditation do you practice? 1 Comments
I dont know if anyone is going to say his or hers mind is off center.I do thrid eye meditation at bed time and inner peace meditation in the morning and about two or three times a week i meditate in the woods for atuman or inner word of creation; sort of connection with the sprite. this gives me lots of peace and joy. i do sun solutation every day and some floor poses like bridge and shoulder stand twist and other things. its all connected together to me.i play poker and my cocentration is fine,and it helps maintain.
1
December 04, 2011
Write comment
You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
|
Our Sponsor
 Our
Yoga for Beginners book takes you through the basics of practicing yoga and then teaches you the poses in the context of a yoga practice sequence. |
| Free Newsletter |
|---|
| Premium Content |
|---|
| Our premium members have access to deluxe features, detailed yogic information and downloadable MP3s. Check out our Premium Membership Benefits page to find out all of the rewards of joining. |
| New Users |
|---|
| To get the most out of our site, we suggest you take some time to explore before jumping into the practice. Browse our yoga 101 section for general info on the history and types of yoga, then start exploring asanas the physical postures used in hatha yoga. Remember to breathe and always start your yoga practice with a brief meditation. Questions? check out our yoga message board. If you are new to yoga, please read our Yoga for Beginner's page |
| Yogic Wisdom |
|---|
|
No one can please everyone. Your mental peace is more important. If you are in peace, then others around you will feel peace. So your best effort should be to work on yourself. Baba Hari Dass |
| Our Most Popular Pages |
|---|
| RSS Syndication |
|---|
 Subscribe to our RSS feed to keep informed on all new updates to YogaBasics.com.
In order to use our Newsfeed you need to cut and paste the URL into a RSS reader or use your browser's RSS "subscribe" button.
|
Ahimsa, the yogic practice of non violence must be adhered to when engaging in the practice of hatha yoga. Respect your body's limitations and inner wisdom, if something feels wrong or dangerous, please do not do it.
Please consult your health care practitioner before starting a yoga, pranayama or other exercise program.
All contents copyright 2001-2012 Timothy Burgin and Yogabasics.com. All rights reserved. Om shanti peace.
Please consult your health care practitioner before starting a yoga, pranayama or other exercise program.
All contents copyright 2001-2012 Timothy Burgin and Yogabasics.com. All rights reserved. Om shanti peace.
