Meditation can speed up the brain, researchers say

[ashling]

UCLA researchers have discovered that meditation may speed up brain processing by increasing something known as "gyrification."

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/business-tech/science/120315/meditation-can-speed-the-brain-researchers-say

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. Thank you for this. I've been having trouble meditating, and neglected it for years

But now I'm going to try to get back to doing it. I get very frustrated when I get constantly distracted by thoughts, and that frustration is counter-productive to meditation.

[Speck Tater]

2. Being distratced by thoughts

is part and parcel of meditation. Start by accepting that you will be distracted by thoughts, and that is perfectly alright.

Here are some introductory mp3s from Spirit Rock meditation center that you might find useful.

http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/101/talk/15516/
http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/115/talk/15557/
http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/153/talk/15418/
http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/175/talk/2010/
http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/175/talk/2011/
http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/175/talk/2011/
http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/174/talk/2/
http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/39/talk/1072/
http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/106/talk/1473/

Or explore http://www.dharmaseed.org/talks/ where you will find about 9300 hours of recorded talks and instructions on meditation.

[snagglepuss]

3. to view later. thanks for posting

[snagglepuss]

4. I always assumed folds were set at birth. It's shocking to think they increase.

Does this mean the brain grows or at least moves around? It's very strange.

[HereSince1628]

5. The brain pulsates in ryhthm to the heartrate.

If meditation changes the prominence of the folds of the brain, then it seems almost inevitable that other activities do as well.

Consequently its hard to know what to make of this...

[tama]

7. Neuroplasticity

Brain changes throughout life: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroplasticity

[ashling]

6. I can't keep up with my brain as it is

the last thing I have time for is to think of more things to do!

[TalkingDog]

8. I think...you've got that backwards. Wouldn't you want to think of LESS things as you meditate?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[ashling]

9. That would be my students

Many of them work very hard at thinking less and less every day

[TalkingDog]

10. Touche!

n/t