Western Science Confirms Eastern Spirituality

I have been educating people on the healing power of prayer and meditation to overcome destructive emotions for the last decade. Recently, Western science has finally begun to confirm what the wisdom traditions of the Orient have known for millennia: that meditation practice literally and physically improves your brain behavior.

Several scientific studies are converging to confirm this idea. As recently reported in the Wall Street Journal Science column (1/10/2003), studies at the University of Wisconsin confirmed that "meditation, Buddhist or otherwise, might change the brain and, in particular, its emotional circuitry."

The focus of these studies was on the brain structure called the amygdala, a little almond-shaped center that is located deep in the brain. It has been shown to be involved with the negative emotions, such as fear, anger, anxiety and depression. This emotional center needs to be modulated by the prefrontal cortex; when it is not, its negative emotions can snowball into destructive behavior patterns. The psychiatric community commonly treats these poor states of mental health with neuroplastic drugs such as seratonin uptake inhibitors (Prozac and Zoloft etc.) with mixed success.

But now, according to Sharon Begley, placebo-controlled clinical studies are suggesting, "Meditation strengthens connections between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. Inhibitory signals from the prefrontal cortex appear to rein in the amygdala like a good yank on a kite string. The stronger or more numerous those "stop firing!" signals, the stronger the inhibition." Indeed, "[i]t appears that the inhibitory signal reaching the amygdala can be modulated voluntarily," says Prof. Richard Davidson, of the University of Wisconsin.

Most importantly, Ms. Begley continues, "The plasticity of connections between the thinking and feeling regions of the brain casts doubt on the belief that each of us has a "set point" for happiness, and that neither a Powerball win nor a Sept. 11 tragedy budges it for long. If inhibitory connections between the frontal lobes and the amygdala can be strengthened in an enduring way, then perhaps you can voluntarily shift that point." Increasing our capacities for happiness, fulfillment and for actualizing our own unique human and higher powers.

For more info, please see the Wall Street Journal article at: wsj.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMailToID=1390364541