Acceptance Of Meditation Widens

Meditation is becoming increasingly mainstream. A 2007 survey by the government found that about 1 out of 11 Americans, that’s more than 20 million people, meditated in the past year. This widening acceptance of meditation is also reflected in a growing number of medical centers teaching meditation to patients for relief of pain and stress. More than 240 programs in clinics and hospitals teach mindfulness meditation.

This widening acceptance has much to do with the continuing research into the effects and benefits of meditation. The first scientific research on meditation began at Yale University in the 1930s. Research over the next 4 decades was sporadic and focused on experienced Yoga and Zen masters. In the 1970’s researchers really began in earnest to look into the effects of meditation in quantifiable detail.

Numerous studies have shown evidence that practicing meditation can ease pain, improve concentration and immune function, lower blood pressure, curb anxiety and insomnia, and even help prevent depression. The latest research tools, such as brain imaging scans, show how meditation can have surprising effects.

In a brain-scan study of meditators who have practiced for a long-time was compared with a control group that never meditated. Brain scanning showed the meditators had increased thickness in areas of the brain associated with attention and with sensitivity to internal sensations of the body. A consequence of this is greater awareness of the body’s responses to external stimuli. For example stressful conditions would be noticed as tension in the body and shortening of the breath.

Another UCLA study published in May found that, in comparison with a control group that didn’t meditate, meditators’ brains have larger volume in areas important for attention, focus and regulating emotion. They also have more gray matter, which could sharpen mental function, according to study leader and neuroscientist, Eileen Luders.

Scientist argue that nobody knows if these meditators brains were already different. According to Richard Davidson, a pioneering meditation researcher and neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin, while studies have improved, most still need to be bigger and have good control groups.

His research shows that even novice meditators have greater activation in a part of the brain tied to well-being. The more activation, the greater their antibody response to a flu vaccine, which makes the vaccine more protective. By changing the brain, meditation could affect many biological processes, he says.

The proof is in the pudding, as they say, and today millions of people will testify to the value and benefit of meditation in their lives, scientist will continue to explore and understand why.

Another manifestation of this widening acceptance is in schools. In scattered locations across the USA, children are learning meditation at school to tangible benefit.

Steve Reidman, a fourth-grade teacher in North Hollywood, CA, reports that  teaching meditation to children has helped curb fighting and also sharpening students focus. "You can just watch them breathe deeply and settle down rather than lashing out."

Another study showed that Los Angeles preschoolers ability to pay attention and focus improved after they were taught meditation.

As research expands, scientists expect to understand more of the benefits of meditation. Meanwhile, for those who don’t need scientific proof to know they benefit… assume the position!

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