Meditation also called dhyanna by yogis, is a mind-body activity practised by many different cultures since antiquity. It is often associated with yoga or cognitive-behaviour therapy. There are many different types of meditation, but they have a common goal of promoting certain mental and physical states like mindfulness, and relaxation.
Some people who practice meditation, have a more spiritual view of it, and practice for enlightenment. They often practice meditation in combination with yoga or entheogens like psilocybin mushrooms.
Improvements in mood, prefrontal and hippocampal functioning, and stress can be achieved by beginners who practice as little as 13 minutes daily for 8 weeks to experienced meditators all the way to Tiebetan Monks. Results from meditation are long lasting.
Neuroscience is starting to unlock the secrets of higher levels of consciousness. Meditation increases neural plasticity and facilitates brain network integration. Brain imaging studies show slowed neurodegeneration and less age-related gray matter and white matter atrophy, meaning it can slow brain ageing.
Recent EEG studies show that after short-term meditative therapy, people have increased gamma wave activity in the brain, which may help people with PTSD, Alzheimer's or schizophrenia.
Try a 10-minute guided meditation for mindfulness. If you bookmark it and make it a new year's resolution, you could change your brain by spring!