THE ART & SCIENCE OF MEDITATION

Dr Sudhir Shah MD DM Neurology

Professor of Neurology K.M.School of PGMR Head, Department of Neurology VSGH, AHD Director of Neurosciences Sterling Hospital Consultant Neurologist - Ahmedabad, INDIA

India

3rd Jan 2010

Why Meditation ?

 We exist in two forms : body and mind.

: exercise.. (essay)

At some stage you realize that peace and

happiness are not outside.

The cause of miseries : thoughts, aspirations, past &

present and attitude

The quest for the god.

All great people have done meditation.

What is meditation
Exercise of mind to keep it healthy and clean, as we do for body. A state of altered consciousness. Fourth stage of consciousness. Spiritual ecstasy with neurological manifestation. Not really a Hallucination. Caution.

Spirituality
Meditation

Philosophy Devotion

RELIGION

Karmayoga Charity Character Morality Rituals

What is meditation? Definitions

Stability of mind

Wavering of mind is stopped

Concentration on one target Unified thought process Thoughtlessness

Introspection
Lack of activity To leave, to give away Mental aerobics Intentional self regulation Dedication Stay connected Patanjali

Buddha
Narad

What is meditation? Definitions

Definition : Thinking deeply or spiritually about a subject It is a complex cognitive task

It is more than relaxation, concentration, contemplation or posturing

Frees the mind from distractions and allows for communication with the Master Within The ultimate goal is ILLUMINATION : ENLIGHTENMENT

Meditation : advantages
Physical, mental and emotional health. Cure / control of psychosomatic disorders including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, DM, asthma, rheumatism etc. Stress relief. Spiritual health. Better concentration and sharpness.

Produces relaxation and reduces reactivity.

Improves Job performance. Interpersonal relations.

Meditation : advantages
Brings change of attitude Inner peace, patience and happiness. Cultivates and promotes positive emotions and removes negative thoughts.

Helps in controlling anger and conquering fear.

Brings control over thought process. Improves quality of life.

Intuitive knowledge, healing power, magnetic personality and

occult powers.

Meditation is an antidote to stress

The neuro chemistry and neuro physiology of

meditation is just the reverse of stress. Stress : Over activity of Sympathetic system.

Meditation:

Over

activity

of

Parasympathetic

system.

Caution
However, it is not a push button system, you need patience. Hence there is a 90 to 95% -drop out rate. You

need

to

have

right

guide,

right

method,

correct

understanding, appropriate place, constant practice, extreme faith and full conviction. Please do not sleep. Meditation industry is at height, because of

commercialization, so one should be careful. Not to make comparisons, All systems are great

 Meditation

is

hard

work.

It

demands the highest form of discipline which comes through constant awareness, not only of the things about you outwardly, but also inwardly. - J. Krishnamurti

The Real Purpose Of Meditation

Elimination of Ego

Elimination of Mind

MEDITATION : PHILOSOPHICAL PURPOSE

Philosophical self realization God realization

Total bliss (total relief of pain)

Total liberation

Meditation techniques
Focus on Breathing Focus on an object, light Focus on a sound Focus on a thought

Focus on sensual object

Focus on sensory perception Imagery Soul meditation

Meditation Practice
Choosing a place and atmosphere Sitting Posture Time of meditation Importance of Consistent Practice 4 purities : Mouth, Body, Place & Clothes Mental attitude bare attention, or neutral witness Pure moment-to-moment awareness, or mindfulness Non-judgmental inner listening, equanimity -WARMING UP Prayer Pranayama internet connection... Broadband

Meditation : methods
Patanjal Dhyana Anapan Sati Smriti Upasthan Vipashyana Preksha Dhyana Jain Dhyana Spand Dhyana Mantra Dhyana Nabhi Dhyana Swapna Dhyana Nidra Dhyana Yoga nidra, Nyas Kriya Yoga Mrutyu Dhyana T.S Meditation Kundalini Kayotsarga Tratak Suryasamyam Adarshdhyana (mirror) Swaminarayan Dhyana Arup Dhyana Purnayoga Dhyana Atit Dhyana (past) Bhavidhyana (future) Sarpalanchan Dhyana Samarpana Dhyana Tathata Hoo-Dhyana (Dynamic Meditation) Sahaj Dhyana Your own system

All methods are great

PATANJAL RAJ YOGA

Yama : Nonviolence, truth, non-stealing celibacy and aparigriha (Non-collectiveness) Purity, Penance (Austerity) Satisfaction Spiritual learning Worship & dedication

Niyama

Asana Pranayama Pratyaahar Dharna Dhyana Samadhi

: : : : : :

Meditation over an object, place or thought Chakra, Flame or Photo with eyes open or closed

Basic Instructions for Meditation

Anapan Sati
To bring the attention to the breath, but not to control the breathing. It is not pranayama. Give full attention to the feeling of the breath as it goes in and out. Dwell in the present, moment by moment, breath by breath. Observe your mind with moment-to-moment awareness.

Basic Instructions for Meditation

When attention wanders, note it and then gently bring awareness back to the breath. Why breathing ? Truth, vital, secular, always with you, present tense, carrier of mind Emotions, thoughts, and perversions Continue to watch the breath, accepting each moment as it is for 1 hour. Not to loose single breath - The power of NOW - The concept of VOID When breathing takes consciousness into each cell, there is a vital dance

Meditation-Techniques
Smriti Upasthan : Observation & awareness of thoughts Budhha, Krishnamurti Avoid conflict with mind The root cause of miseries is thoughts Study beginning, end, structure & content of thoughts. Pl. do not criticize Observe & know your thoughts Study movement of mind and feel separated This will lead to detachment with thoughts Becoming aware of ones consciousness Observer will realize that himself is being observed Maharishi Aurobindos method of combination Yoga Empty your thoughts & know your mind

Purnayoga

Meditation Jaindhyana
Jain religion is Bhavadharma, so
meditation is of utmost importance.

Dharmadhyana & shukladhyana

excellent remedy for all health. types of

Several types of meditations.

Samayik & kayotsarga are super

meditations.

Preksha, vipashyana, granthibheda

Atmadhyana.

Atmadhyana
Meditating on the soul is one of the best
meditations.

To remain constantly aware of the soul and its

characteristics and its functions. To dissociate soul from the body at every moment and the sentinence the application of knowledge is the ultimate meditation.

Samayam api ma pamayae GOYAMA !

Meditation-Techniques
Prekshadhyana : To see To observe ( Jain Method-Lord Mahavir) Acharya Tulsiji Acharya Mahapragyaji
Breathing (Shwas-Preksha) Thoughts (Vichar-Preksha) Body (Sharir-Preksha) Mind (Anupreksha) Leshyadhyana etc.

Prerequisites : Mitahaar, Mitbhashan, Maitri, Pratikriya - Shunyakriya, Bhavkriya Truth, Non-violence, non-stealing, celibacy and non-collectiveness

Meditation-Techniques
Vipashyana : To see To observe ( Buddha) Goenkaji through mahasi sayado Breathing : control of emotions & perversions

Thoughts : detachment from thoughts

Body and perception of sensations : control of Raga and Dwesha

Vipashyana
Operation of the mind, by the mind

Calm and quiet mind

Awake and attentive mind

Equanimous mind

The Sound of Om in a Drop of Oil CHANTING MEDITATION

"Since all things are made by the power of sound, of vibration, so can we create this world by the same power. The knowledge of sound is supreme, for it is beyond all form. By the knowledge of sound we obtain the knowledge of creation, And the mastery of that knowledge helps us to rise to the formless. This knowledge acts as our wings, helping us to rise from the earth to heaven and penetrate through life seen and unseen."
-- Pir Hazrat Inayat Khan

To do chanting on mantra, its meaning and vibration

Effect of sound chanting

Mr. Emoto decided to see how thoughts and words affected the formation of untreated, distilled water crystals by typing words onto paper and then taping them on glass bottles overnight.

These are effects of the words Love and Appreciation

These are the effects of You make me sick. I will kill you!

A Yantra is a graphic representation of the sound of Mantra

Mr. Emoto decided to see what effects music had upon the structure of water. He placed distilled water between two speakers for several hours while playing music and then photographed the crystals that formed after the water was frozen. The results of the effects of these two very different types of music speak for themselves.

This is the effect of Bachs Air for the G String

This is the effects of Heavy Metal Music

Mindfulness Practice
Observing
the body and mind intentionally Letting experiences unfold from moment to moment and accepting them as they are.

Observing thoughts without getting caught up in them.

No effort to control anything except the focus and direction
of the attention. Not a passive process, yet does not involve trying to get anywhere.

Eating meditation, sitting meditation, working meditation

and meditation during each act is the goal of mindfulness practice.

Rule No. 1

Wherever there is body, mind should also be

there without any exception

Rule No. 2

Develop wakeful plain observorship

(Sakshibhav or Drushtabhav)

Rule No. 3

Know your soul with your own soul.

Transcendental Meditation (TM)

Movement

founded by Maharshi Mahesh Yogi of India.

T.S.MEDITATION

Sri Sri Ravishankarji

Sudarshan kriya Art of living course has changed thousands of lives

SILENCE / CONTEMPLATION

In the silence of the heart God speaks Let God fill us, then only we speak. Do small things with great love.

The fruit of silence..is Prayer The fruit of Prayer.. is Faith The fruit of Faith..is love The fruit of Love .is Service - Mother Teresa

DHYANA YOGA

Perfect relaxation
Observorship Non Decisiveness

Dynamic Meditation

Purnayoga
Aspiration
Rejection Surrender

Meditation : methods
Patanjal Dhyana Anapan Sati Smriti Upasthan Vipashyana Preksha Dhyana Jain Dhyana Spand Dhyana Mantra Dhyana Nabhi Dhyana Swapna Dhyana Nidra Dhyana Yoga nidra, Nyas Kriya Yoga Mrutyu Dhyana T.S Meditation Kundalini Kayotsarga Tratak Suryasamyam Adarshdhyana (mirror) Swaminarayan Dhyana Arup Dhyana Purnayoga Dhyana Atit Dhyana (past) Bhavidhyana (future) Sarpalanchan Dhyana Samarpana Dhyana Tathata Hoo-Dhyana (Dynamic Meditation) Sahaj Dhyana Your own system

All methods are great

Swapnadhyana
Nidradhyana Yognidra

Nyasa

First Practice Silence of body, speech and learn to get isolated Then, chanting, seeing an idol, inner flame, breathing etc.

Benefits of meditation
Oxygen consumption is reduced by 16%, even greater than the reduction of 12% in sleep Neural structures that are intimately related to the control of the autonomic nervous system are activated Diurnal, cyclic secretion of stress hormones (adrenocorticotrophic hormone, cortisol and beta-endorphin) is absent

STATISTICS
Physicians,
Psychotherapists, and other Professionals are increasingly adding Meditative Techniques to their practice.

Over six thousand Physicians have begun the

practice of Transcendental Meditation and regularly recommend the TM technique to their patients.

Many Physicians consider Meditation a key

element of an Integrated Health Program.

Health Conditions in which Yoga may help heal or treat

Arthritis Allergies Asthma Hypertension Coronary Artery Disease Irritable Bowel Syndrome Heartburn (GERD) Constipation Tension Headaches and Migraines

PMS and Menstrual

Discomfort Menopause Pain of the Back, Hips, Knees Depression & Anxiety Substance Abuse Skin Disorders Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Overweight Sleep Problems

Medical benefits of meditation

Researching the Benefits of on Meditation :

With 7 weeks of meditation, cancer patients decreased their degree of depression, anxiety, anger, confusion, and chest and stomach symptoms by 50% - and felt more vigor. With 10 weeks of meditation, 2/3s of chronic pain patients had a 30% reduction in pain, and half had more than a 50% reduction. With 10 weeks of meditation, chronic pain patients had less pain, less mood disturbances, used less pain medication, and could be more active. The benefits were still present one year later.

Three years after an 8-week meditation instruction, patients with anxiety and panic disorders still showed a benefit.
All patients with fibromyalgia who meditated for 10 weeks improved, and over half showed moderate to marked improvement in pain, fatigue and quality of sleep.

Medical benefits of meditation

Meditation has been found to be quite useful in most of the
psychosomatic disorders including asthma, rheumatism, gut problems, blood pressure, diabetes etc. less flatulance, belching, bloating and diarrhea.

With 6 weeks of meditation irritable bowel syndrome patients had Even though daily fluctuations in cortisol are unchanged, people

who meditate dont have the daily fluctuations in the cortisolstimulating hormone (ACTH), or beta-endorphins, suggesting a change in feedback sensitivity.

People trained in and performing an imagery-based relaxation

prior to injection, had less inflammatory reaction to chili pepper extract (capsaicin) injected under the skin.

With 6 months of meditation, athletes had less increase in the

CD8+ suppressor T cell response to strenuous physical stress, improving the immune systems helper to suppressor cell ratio. It also reduces post-traumatic stress.

Medical benefits of meditation

Patients who meditated during ultraviolet light treatment for
psoriasis had quicker clearing of their skin disease.

With 6 months of meditating for 20 minutes twice a day,

hypertensive African Americans had a decrease in the carotid artery wall thickness.

With 4 years of daily meditation, coronary artery narrowing

showed regression rather than progression.

Over a 5 year period, people who meditated had over 50% less

doctors office visits, and an average of 50% less hospital admissions (including a reduction all 17 major treatment categories such as benign and malignant tumors, heart disease, infectious disease, and nervous system disorders). Only childbirth rates were the unchanged.

Relative contraindications of meditation

Psychosis Severe depression Confusional states Extreme anxiety

Dementias

Physiology of Meditation
Meditation produces a specific physiological response pattern that involves various biological systems.
Mechanisms producing meditative effects include metabolic, autonomic, endocrine, neurological, and psychological manifestation.

Physiological response to meditation occurs on a multidimensional, interactive basis.

Neuro Electrical Changes During Meditation

BETA: Alert/Working 14-20 waves per second ALPHA: Relaxed/Reflecting 813 waves per second

THETA: Drowsy/Meditating 4-7 waves per second

DELTA: Sleep/Dreaming 3-4 waves per second DELTA: Deep & Dreamless Sleep .5-2 waves per sec

Neuroelectrical Effects
Mediation (the Fourth State) was shown to - increase Alpha (8-13 Hz or cycles per second) production - increase Theta (4-7 Hz) production - increase high Beta (20 - 40 Hz) activity ( with experienced meditators). Alpha patterns are associated with calm and focused attention. Theta patterns are associated with reverie, imagery, and creativity. High Beta activity is associated with highly focused concentration

Important features of EEG changes related to meditation are :

Establishing alpha activity in spite of open eyes

Increased amplitude of alpha activity Slower frequency of alpha rhythm

Rhythmical theta waves

Increased synchronization (hypersynchronization) Dissociation of perception from the external sense organs

Transcendent signal
Occasional fast wave activity

Decrease in Beta-wave activity after meditation

ALPHA brainwaves are the brainwaves of relaxed detached awareness, visualization, sensory imagery and light reverie.

Ranging between about 8 cycles per second and 13 cycles per

second, alpha is the gateway to meditation and provides a bridge between the conscious and the subconscious mind.

BETA brainwaves are the fastest frequencies ranging from 14 cycles per second up to 38 cycles per second. Beta is your normal thinking state, your active external awareness and thought process. Without beta you would not be able to function in the outside world.

THETA brainwaves are the subconscious mind. Ranging from

about 4 cycles per second up to 8 cycles per second, theta is present in dreaming sleep and provides the experience of deep meditation when you meditate. Theta also contains the storehouse of creative inspiration and is where you often have your spiritual connection. Theta provides the peak in the peak experience

The MEDITATION brainwave pattern is a combination of

alpha and theta where theta provides the depth and profundity of the meditation experience the subconscious inner space from which creativity, insight, and healing spring and alpha provides the bridge, or the link, to the conscious thinking mind so that you can actually remember the contents of your meditation.

DELTA brainwaves are your unconscious mind, the sleep state, ranging from about 4 cycles per second down to 0.5 cycles per second. But when present in combination with other waves in a waking state, Delta acts as a form of radar seeking out

information reaching out to understand on the deepest

unconscious level things that we can't understand through thought process. Delta provides intuition, empathetic attunement, and instinctual insight.

AWAKENED MIND brainwave pattern

It is a brainwave pattern shared by people in higher states of consciousness regardless of their philosophy, theology or meditation technique. This brainwave pattern can be found during peak experience and in all forms of creativity and high performance

Permanent EEG changes

Davidsons research is consistent with his earlier work that pinpointed the left prefrontal cortex as a brain region associated with happiness and positive thoughts and emotions. Using functional magnetic resonance imagining (fMRI) on the meditating monks, Davidson found that their brain activity as measured by the EEG was especially high in this area

With chronic meditation, gamma wave activity(high level information processing) is found in many meditators

Evoked potentials & meditation

Meditation sometimes produces altered amplitudes, with practitioners seeming to demonstrate decreased amplitude & latency for sensory EPs & with mindfulness inducing a decrease in habituation

 In meditation the usual frameworks of time,

space and other aspects of conscious content are absent, although the mind is not asleep

Compared to quiet or slow-wave sleep, in which

brain blood flow is reduced, meditation shows no reduction in total brain blood circulation or perfusion

Regional maps of brain blood flow/perfusion

differ among meditation, slow-wave sleep and wakefulness

Neurobiology of Meditation
Imaging, such as rCBF (regional Cerebral Blood Flow), real time MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), MEG (magnetoencephalography), and improved EEG (electoencephalography) allow detailed studies in understanding the effects of meditation on neural behavior. SPECT study shows- Parietal area of the brain is responsible for giving us a sense of our orientation in space and time. By blocking all sensory and cognitive input into this area, meditation results in the sense of no space and no time.

cms

DYNAMIC BRAIN MAPPING

meg -eeg fmri seeg pet

neurons ms

spatial resolution

temporal resolution

minutes

ANDREW NEWBERG

SPECT Images at Baseline and During Meditation

Prefrontal Cortex Prefrontal Cortex

Baseline

Meditation

SPECT Images at Baseline and During Meditation

Baseline Meditation

Superior Parietal Lobe

Superior Parietal Lobe

Comparison of Baseline to Prayer : Limbic inhibition

Baseline Scan
Prayer Scan

LIMBIC

LIMBIC

Results from Meditation SPECT Study

Part of the Brain P-value 0.0074 Baseline Mean 1.25 Meditatio n Mean 1.34 Percent Change 7.2 SD 0.08

Anterior Cingulate Cingulate Body

DLPFC Inferior Frontal

0.0001
0.0001 0.0025

0.91
1.31 1.25

1.14
1.45 1.36

25.3
10.7 8.8

0.13
0.08 0.09

Midbrain
Orbital Frontal Cortex Posterior Cingulate Sensorimotor Thalamus

0.0166
0.0075 0.0114 0.0017 0.0114

1.16
0.97 1.19 1.19 1.40

1.29
1.22 1.29 1.26 1.60

11.2
25.8 8.4 5.9 14.3

0.14
0.24 0.09 0.06 0.21

Summary of SPECT findings

Increase rCBF in frontal lobe and shut down of rCBF in OAA in parietal lobe is the key finding.

This is not hallucination.

All Meditators have same findings.

fMRI changes during Meditation

Results
Significant signal increases were observed in the
dorsolateral prefrontal and parietal cortices, thalamus, hippocampus/parahippocampus, temporal lobe, pregenual anterior cingulate cortex, striatum, and pre- and post-central gyri during meditation.

This indicates that the practice of meditation

activates neural structures involved in attention and control of the autonomic nervous system.
Neuroreport. 2000 May 15;11(7):1581-5. Functional brain mapping of the relaxation response and meditation. Lazar SW,, Benson H.

fMRI changes during Meditation

PET, SPECT & fMRI allow examination of changes

in regional blood flow, metabolism or receptor (sites of neurochemical and drug actions) activation in the brain in response to various tasks

Most types of meditation, which involve an initial

focusing of attention, are associated with increased regional blood flow or glucose metabolism in the prefrontal and cingulate cortex, areas that are important in selection of a mental task

 The frontal lobes, especially the prefrontal

regions help to organize, prioritize, plan and focus attention

During visualization regional blood flow

increases in the visual cortex and visual association areas in the occipital lobes

In contemplation of self the parietal lobes on

both sides are activated

visual imagery

meditation on weight of body parts

abstract perception of joy

symbolic representation of the self

Thalamus & Hippocampus in meditation

 Thalamus is a relay station and filtering station for sensory information. Excitation of RN through PFC, decreases activation of PSPL & thereby decreases body awareness & also decreases input to visual centre (GABA) The studies point to prefrontal activation (predominantly right), transient hypofrontality, increased frontal lobe & decreased parietal lobe activity & also to a Deafferentation of the PSPL Functional Deafferentation means a decrease in distracting stimuli to visual cortex & PSPL, hence, increase focus This results in altered perception of selfexperience

 Activity in Hippocampus is increased in connections with hypothalamus & autonomic nervous system Stimulation of Right amygdala causes stimulation of ventromedial hypothalamus & peripheral parasympathetic system, thereby causing subjective sensation of relaxation & more profound sense of quiescence

Herzog, et al., 1990 PET, Yoga meditation Jevning, et al., 1996 Rheoencephalography, TM meditation Lou, et al., 1999 PET, Yoga Nidra Lazar, et al., 2000 fMRI, Kundalini Yoga Khushu, et al., 2000 fMRI, Raja Yoga Baerensten, et al., 2001 fMRI Onset of meditation Newberg, et al., 2001 SPECT, Tibetan meditation Azari, et al., 2001 PET, Psalm 23 recitation Kjaer, et al., 2002 PET 11C-raclopride binding, Yoga Nidra Newberg, et al., 2003 SPECT, Franciscan Prayer Lazar, et al., 2003 fMRI, Mindfulness vs. Kundalini Ritskes, et al., 2003 fMRI, Zen Lazar, et al., 2005 MRI, Buddhist Insight Meditation Kakigi, et al., 2005 fMRI, Noxious LASER stimulation of a Yoga master who claims to feel no pain during meditation Orme-Johnson, et al., 2006 fMRI, TM effects on brain reactivity to pain

Neurochemical Changes During Meditation Meditation increases Serotonin production, an

important neurotransmitter and neuropeptide that

influences mood and behavior in many ways. It can stimulate increased production of

Acetylcholine, involved in memory mechanisms &

attention

Meditation

has

also

been

associated

with

increased melatonin availability

Neurochemical changes during meditation

During meditation, locus ceruleus activity

decreases, thereby decreasing norepinephrine production

Relatively greater activity of parasympathetic

system causes decreased production of catecholamines, epinephrine & norepinephrine by adrenal medulla

Neurochemical Changes During Meditation Neurochemical

Arginine Vasopressin GABA Melatonin Serotonin

Observed Change
Increased Increased Increased Increased Increased Decreased Decreased Rhythm changed; levels unaltered

CNS Structure
Supraoptic Nucleus Thalamus, other inhibitory structures Pineal Gland Dorsal Raphe Basal Gangia Paraventricular Nucleus Locus Ceruleus Arcuate Nucleus

Dopamine Cortisol Norepinephrine -Endorphin

Meditation and the Autonomic Nervous System

An increase in the skin resistance. Galvanic skin responses, showed that meditators recovered from stress more quickly than non-meditators. Decreased limbic arousal in the brain-reduces stress and increases autonomic stability to stress. Reduction in limbic arousal may explain how meditation strengthens and enhances the ability to cope with stress.

Meditation and the Central Nervous System

The practice of meditation decreases muscle reflex time.
Accelerates neural conduction or augments the release of neurotransmitters, thereby decreasing synaptic time, resulting in a change in muscle firing threshold and pattern.

By inhibiting the left cortical hemisphere, the sense of time and logic no longer dominate consciousness during meditation.Suppression of Ego faculty and later on Mind.

The Plausible Hypothesis

When meditation acts as a constant repetitive stimulus, certain permanent qualitative and quantitative changes develop in nervous system. Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators may stimulate growth of dormant neurons to develop a centre higher than neocortexGod module. This higher centre will exert inhibitory control over present neocortex and thereby over mind as a whole- thereby suppressing consciousness and all mental activities. Spiritual ascent is from the least evolved state of consciousness to near perfect state with which the mind itself will cease to be and there will remain only non-dual experience.

Meditation and the Endocrine System

Reduced blood levels of lactate, cortisol, and epinephrine.

Reduces sympathetic adrenergic receptor sensitivity, producing a decreased response to stressful situations . Increased levels of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), melatonin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Meditation produces its anxiolytic effects by promoting GABA action in specific areas of the brain. Similar effects can be achieved by Reiki, Acupuncture.

Meditation and Metabolism

A wakeful state accompanied by decreased metabolism. Decreased breathing pattern, decreased heart rate, and decreased blood pressure. Blood flow to the kidneys and liver declined in the practitioners, with an increase in cardiac output. Decrease in the level of oxygen utilization and carbon dioxide elimination by muscles. The metabolic changes arise from a natural reduction in metabolic activity at the cellular level, not from a forced reduction of breathing. Longevity and delayed aging !

Meditation & Neuroplasticity

A recent MRI study showed that, brain regions

associated with attention, interoception & sensory processing like the PFC & right anterior insula were thicker in meditation practitioners

Meditation probably offsets age-related

cortical thinning & thereby suggesting to promote Neuroplasticity

Meditation and Psychology

Practice of meditation improves cognitive task

performance, increases mental concentration, and reduces susceptibility to stress. Both subjective and objective examinations reveal that meditation enhances perceptual sensitivity.

Meditation and Psychology It improves the attitude & personality of a person Improved concentration and attention, allowing for greater productivity, problem-solving, creativity, learning ability and organization of memory. Enhanced self-image Less catastrophic reaction to stressful situations, e.g., in survivors of attempted suicide Better sociability, tolerance and compassion Improved mood, sleep & scores on selfactualization

Attitude
The Longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me, is more important than facts. It is more important

than the past, than education, successes, than what other people
think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company.. a church. a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We can not change our past..... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is to play on the only string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you.. We are in charge of our Attitudes .

- Charles Swindoll

Neural correlates of anxiety

Factors decreasing anxiety during meditation :

Increased parasympathetic acitivity, GABAergic drive, serotonin, endorphins & AVP Decreased LC firing with decreased noradrenaline & decreased levels of stress hormone cortisol
Depression

Factors contributing antidepressant effect :

Increase in serotonin, dopamine, melatonin, endorphin & AVP Decrease in CRH & cortisol

Psychosis

A variety of schizophrenic effects can be seen Meditation can induce psychotic states via
mechanisms such as : Increased 5HT 2 receptor activation, leading to inhibition of LGB Increased DMT, causing hallucinogenic effects Increase in NAAG, having dissociative hallucinogenic effects Increase in dopamine affecting temporal lobe

Implications for Psychiatry

Complementary & alternative medicine ? Alternative to Hypnosis Low cost, with continuation for life Group dynamics & group practice Combination e.g. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy or Spiritually Augmented CBT Enhancing ones psychological resources/holistic living/self actualization Meditative state changes may develop into traits Preventive Psychiatry

Unresolved issues New Frontiers

Although we can understand how the various lobes

and neurotransmitters function during meditation, how are these actions directed and by whom?

What accounts for the actual awareness of the

experience and of self and where are they perceived?

How do we actually know that something is true and

meaningful? What accounts for this conviction?

The link with the Master Within and with Cosmic

Consciousness has not been explained and cannot be approached from a neuroscience perspective

Four way Truth

That there is a problem That there is a cause That there is a way If you follow the path, you will get the solution

Now Monks, I have nothing more to

tell you but all that is composed will decay. Strive after your own Salvation. -Lord Buddha

WAIT AND MEDITATE,

TILL I CALL YOU BACK
- Swami Vivekananda

REFERENCES
Jain Agam Dhyana Dipika, Dhyana Shatak Patanjal Yoga Sutra Holy Vedas, Puranas and Upanishadas Tripitak

Dhyana Yoga
Meditation Dhyana Kumbh Meditations Why God will not go away

- Swami Vivekananda
- Osho - Suresh Vakil - J.Krishnamurti Andrew Newberg

Medical References from several journals

REFERENCES
Aries et al;2006, Systematic review of efficacy of meditation
techniques, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Cahn B.R., Polich J.,(2006), Meditation states and traits:EEG,ERP and

neuroimaging studies, Psychol Bull,(2005),Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness,Neuroreport

Mohandas E.,(2008) Neurobiology of spirituality, Mens Sena

Monograph.

Newberg A.B.(2003),The neural basis of the complex mental task of

meditation:neurotransmitter and neurochemical consideration,Med Hypotheses.

U.S.Department of Health(2007) Meditation Practices for Health:state

of the Reasearch