OccultForum.org

Original post: Artur Machen

Hello,
Do You know any scienitific research on a subject how meditation can influnce on our nervous system ?

I would be very greatefull...

Original post: Dionesia La Maga

Different types of meditation have different effects on the nervous system and also do change the stucture of the brain, such as an increase in white matter.
You can find abstracts from the medical literature on meditation at the Medline database at:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed

Simply type "meditation" in the search field.

You will not only find info on the benefits of meditation but controversies about its value in persons with epilepsy or latent neuropsychiatric problems.


Another good site for information on meditation and its effects from a scientific based yoga perspective is http:http://www.scand-yoga.com which is a Web site of Bihar School yoga and its publication Bindu (I'm not sure if the site is still active, I haven't visited it for quite a long time.)

Also see if this link is still accessible:
http:http://www.trancenet.org/research/2000p ... eniz.shtml

Original post: Draginvry

Yeah, I've also heard that certain types of meditation can increase white matter and the size of the pituitary gland. But I haven't really seen much actual science, just a bunch of random claims.

Original post: IAO131

You havent been looking very hard then...

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Ad ... ne.0003083

http://www.thescientificworld.co.uk:80/ ... cleId=2330

http://www.news.wisc.edu/10420

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7319043.stm

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/33448.php

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/bei ... n8317.html

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/23697.php

http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/2002 ... tummo.html

Original post: Artur Machen

I asked, but it diddent mean, that i was not searching, just wandering what You could recommend

Ill start reading then...Thanx for help.

[QUOTE=IAO131;367589]You havent been looking very hard then...

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Ad ... ne.0003083

http://www.thescientificworld.co.uk:80/ ... cleId=2330

http://www.news.wisc.edu/10420

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7319043.stm

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/33448.php

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/bei ... n8317.html

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/23697.php

http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/2002 ... tummo.html[/QUOTE]

Original post: IAO131

[QUOTE=Artur Machen;368744]I asked, but it diddent mean, that i was not searching, just wandering what You could recommend

Ill start reading then...Thanx for help.[/QUOTE]

I was referring to Draginvry who said he hadnt seen any actual science/evidence. Have fun with the links.

IAO131

Original post: DropAndRiver

The brain is amazingly plastic, so meditation has the ability to modify its behavior and capacities just like everyday living makes subtle modifications.

Nature has gifted us with an awesome ability to play with the switchboard of our mind; it's a shame people spend most of their lives reinforcing negative behaviors.

Original post: CyberCandyGirl

I'm not an expert, but it's my guess that meditation helps calm the mind and body. It also helps the nervous system in everyday functioning. Being able to sit in peace and feel a calmin energy is the greatest gift a person could ever have. But thought alone cannot put one in a meditative state: there needs to be inner peace. A willingness to let go of thought. To be happy sitting alone in a silent room. It takes an advanced soul to do this. At least that's my opinion.

Original post: IAO131

[QUOTE=CyberCandyGirl;370449]I'm not an expert, but it's my guess that meditation helps calm the mind and body. It also helps the nervous system in everyday functioning. Being able to sit in peace and feel a calmin energy is the greatest gift a person could ever have. But thought alone cannot put one in a meditative state: there needs to be inner peace. A willingness to let go of thought. To be happy sitting alone in a silent room. It takes an advanced soul to do this. At least that's my opinion.[/QUOTE]

My opinion is that (a) theres no such thing as advanced souls and (b) anyone can do this.

IAO131

Original post: AstralMagickCraft

93,

I'm an older soul than IAO so don't listen to him :p JK

On a more serious note, of course anyone can meditate, Intelligent people can stop their thoughts, and the rest have them off by default...

BUt really, I have yet to meet a person who cannot meditate that can function in society, if you are correct about older souls, than maybe the only ones too young are those mentally handicapped people who we already know cannot meditate?

93 93/93

Original post: IAO131

[QUOTE=AstralMagickCraft;370499]93,
BUt really, I have yet to meet a person who cannot meditate that can function in society[/quote]

Seriously? Really, seriously? Ever been to a meditation class? A Shambhala, Vedanta, Zen meeting? You are speaking to one and I am sure you speak to many others on this board.

IAO131

Original post: AstralMagickCraft

93,

I'm sure you could if you apply yourself.

Try this.

Think "I am about to stop thinking" as though that is your own thought.

Then think "My thoughts are malleable."

Or some such thing, now with the same type of direction that directed you to think those thoughts that had not come up naturally think ""

But if not able, you would really be the first...

93 93/93

Original post: Dionesia La Maga

[42]:whistle:

No, I'm not into the "advanced souls" thing either and this concept ironically is often used in spiritual circles to keep people in their place instead of letting them get past the neurosis, guilt, and limitations that the meditative process is supposed to help them surmount. This is what guru-cults are often about.

And with proper preparation and instruction, anyone can learn how to meditate just like a person can learn anything else. The operative words are "preparation" and "instruction." There are many different types of meditation techniques that have different effects on the brain and physiology. Buddhist mindfulness meditation is different from Hindu or yogic concentrative meditation and the brain reacts differently under these different influences. Tantric types of meditation are different. Tantric concentrative meditation (such as meditation on the tattvas) is different from more shamanic type meditation (although both are geared toward "kundalini" arousal). Western occult meditation techniques are sometimes discursive, such as in "astral journeying" and guided visualization type practices. All in all, the end goal is (or should be) a catharsis and transformation of consciousness in which the artificial, conditioned self is attenuated and a more willful and "conscious" or intentional self is more fully established. --And this all happens on a neurological level. . . .

Original post: IAO131

[QUOTE=AstralMagickCraft;370511]93,

I'm sure you could if you apply yourself.

Try this.

Think "I am about to stop thinking" as though that is your own thought.

Then think "My thoughts are malleable."

Or some such thing, now with the same type of direction that directed you to think those thoughts that had not come up naturally think ""

But if not able, you would really be the first...

93 93/93[/QUOTE]

You have a serious misconception about meditation if you think its only about 'stopping thoughts.' In short, its more abotu controlling thoughts (Hindu Yoga) or being aware about thoughts (Buddhist mindfulness). Theres many types of meditation including western notions of meditation meaning essentially "thinking about a certain subject in depth" (c.f. Descartes' "meditations" or Fortune's suggestion to meditate on the correlations of symbols). Either way Im amazed that you dont know anyone that meditates and functions - perhaps that is another symptom of your ignorance about meditation and your utterly strange meditation suggestion.

IAO131

Original post: Vindictus

Eh?

I have yet to meet a person who cannot meditate that can function in society...

Im amazed that you dont know anyone that meditates and functions...

Am I missing something, or is this a simple misunderstanding?


Anyway, I think IAO131 was right when he said that meditation is "more about controlling thoughts or being aware about thoughts" then anything else. It is impossible to meditate on nothing. You can meditate on the idea of nothing though, but it gets very boring. I prefer to meditate by listening to music- Calm down, feel the music, BE the music. I've actually spent more then a few hours in zoned out bliss like that...

Edit- Speaking of bliss...