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by Gerald Epling

Who and what we experience changes us in ways that are sometimes fleeting, sometimes long lasting, and often somewhere in between.

If changes in thoughts are combined with changes in conscious and unconscious perceptions, then the body will change.  The change that is experienced depends on the nature of the change.  It has been known for years that constant, unrelenting stress leads to a cascade of events that make important parts of the brain smaller over time.

In contrast, learning new ways of doing things leads to an increase in the size of areas of the brain that are associated with good memory.  This sort of positive change was shown in a study of taxi cab drivers learning to navigate through London.

Recently, another positive effect of intentionally engaging the mind has been identified.  Mindfulness meditation has been shown to make rapid changes in the cascade of events that lead to inflammation.  In a University of Wisconsin at Madison study, genes that increase inflammation were show to be down-regulated through rapid changes in gene expression.  Down-regulating the gene expression avoided inflammation that would otherwise have occurred.

If mindfulness meditation can help people feel better then perhaps, we should look into what sort of an experience meditation is?

Ideally, mindfulness is designed to bring the perceptions and sensations of a person into the present time.  What does that mean?  Have you ever had a conversation with someone that left you wondering what the other person got out of the conversation?  The time that you spend reviewing the events that just occurred, is time that you are not able to experience the present in its fullness.  Does this mean that you should never think about what you said or where you went? Definitely, not!  We all experience a division of attention every day. As if to ensure the demise of quality memories, we are all destined to engage in the most inefficient form of mental effort – multitasking.

Experiences may end-up producing positive or negative effects with long lasting impact.  The difference in how you plan your experiences could be the difference between a good night’s sleep and an inability to get to sleep.  Taking some time out of your busy day for effortless calm helps your body to center on your desires.

Most of mindfulness meditation is centered on helping people achieve a sense of observation that leads to knowing.  The understanding that comes from deeply experiencing an event is worth reaching for.  The senses and mind are energized by taking time to see a rose as if it were the first time that you ever saw a rose.  This sort of seeing, and connecting with the scent and touch of a rose in full bloom is something worth reaching for.  The effortless observation, which is one goal of meditation, is not achieved by any effort of your own.  Your goal is to be still and know.

 

Related Reading

Cache Cab: Taxi Drivers’ Brains Grow to Navigate London’s Streets

Study reveals gene expression changes with meditation