Meditation is not some airy-fairy stuff that isn’t proved. In fact scientists are amazed by the wonders of meditation. It’s what even out latest science can’t explain. I, myself, am a science student and I know how wonderful it is.

So here is a recent interview of Matthieu Ricard, a French Buddhist monk with a PhD in molecular biology. He has participated in numerous experiments into the effects of meditation on the human brain.

New Scientist, a popular weekly science magazine interviewed him I think will love the questions and the answers. Here we go:

How did you become involved in the science of meditation?

The Dalai Lama often describes Buddhism as being, above all, a science of the mind. That is not surprising, because the Buddhist texts put particular emphasis on the fact that all spiritual practices – whether mental, physical or oral – are directly or indirectly intended to transform the mind.

Read the full interview here.

Do let me know what do you think of this interview in comments section. I know you will have questions and point of views, both of which I really enjoy and love so keep them coming.

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When I started talking to my friends about meditation, I discovered that many of them think of meditation as a chore, a supplement pill that you could take daily or as a religious ritual. But it is none. Meditation is something as natural as breathing.

Meditation is all about calming your mind’s chatter, letting your body relax, letting your thoughts go and discover the real self in that moment. It is a realization that you are far more than your body, mind and conscious. In fact, most part of us is non-physical and vibrational – soul. It is like going on a treasure hunt, and finding the treasure –you.

What happens next, no language in world can describe. It’s a sleep deeper than sleep and awareness beyond what we know as conscious.
Why should I do it? Why it’s cool?!

“Meditation is pure awesomeness.”

There are loads and loads of reasons. I’ve written the main ones and divided them in sections.

Cool Meditation = Cool Body

• Improves body’s general state of health
• Maintains healthy Blood Pressure
• Increases blood flow to every part of body (especially to heart and brain)
• Increases patience (you don’t loose your temper so often)
• Fast Healing: be it post-operational, wounds, injuries or anything.

And there are many more. If you have a scientific mind (like me ) then an article from my favourite science magazine New Scientist :

“Meditating does more than just feel good and calm you down, it makes you perform better – and alters the structure of your brain, researchers have found.”

Meditation Builds up the brain | Nature

I’ve read articles in Nature magazine too, but you need to pay to read them.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v456/n7219/full/456170a.html

Cool Meditation = Cool You

• Improves concentration: That’s a big one! Very helpful for, both, students and people at work. Make most out of your time, even if kid next door loves rock music!
• Reduces Stress: Tired of looking tired and exhausted? Well, not anymore!
  Boosts Self-Confidence: We know it’s priceless
• More control on thoughts: So when mind tries to procrastinate you can have your control back.

I suggest that mediation breaks the illusion that mind runs the show. We began to realize our true potential and respect & love ourselves even more.

So, where to being?

I will give you some easy steps for starters. Wear easy clothes (you don’t want to keep adjusting that funky jeans, do you?). Now what you need is a comfortable place to sit in. Yoga postures do help, but to start sit in whatever way you like. Just make sure that every part of your body is relaxed. Ease out any stress. Here are steps:

• Close your eyes
• And take a deep breathe in and out ( 2 times)
• Now focus on your breathing, feel yourself breathing in and out.
• Let thoughts come and go, let feelings come and go… just focus on breath.
• If your mind goes on your favourite scene from LOST, lovingly and patiently bring it back and focus on your breathe

Your mind might doze off to sleep or something similar (it’s relaxing finally, you see) let it be. Just focus on your breathe.
That’s it go for as long as you can. Maybe 5 min in beginning and as you will begin to explore and get more comfortable. You will automatically want to do it more.

So how was your experience? Let me know in comments:
Photo by ODDSOCK via Flickr

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