Meditation

Contemplative practices of some form are found in all of the major faith traditions. Scientists are only now beginning to understand how meditation produces positive effects. It is easy to start a contemplative practice, and with time and practice you may find that the benefits are transforming.

Five things you should know about Meditation

1. Neuroscientists have discovered that meditation is associated with increased activity in brain regions that are important in learning, decision making, happiness, and optimism
2. Although every faith tradition has some form of contemplative practice, meditation can be practiced separately from any spiritual tradition
3. Meditation helps develop mindfulness: open-minded and nonjudgmental attention in the present moment
4. People who meditate report that they regularly spend more time savoring pleasures
5. Most people who practice meditation say that it works best as a daily practice, just like physical exercise; meditating five minutes daily is often more effective than 30 minutes once in a while

Remembering to exhale


Featuring: Michael Baime M.D.

Dr. Michael Baime, director of the University of Pennsylvania Program for Stress Management, tells us why meditation and mindfulness may help us undo the negative affects of stress. He says “We found huge changes in what (program participants) report. Anxiety and depression drop by about 50%.”

http://www.remembering%20to%20exhalepbs.org/thisemotionallife/topic/meditation