Meditation may help the brain ‘turn down the volume’ on distractions
May 9, 2011 by scc
Filed under Gus, Sleep 411, Sleep and Spirituality
Enhanced control of alpha rhythms may underlie some effects of mindfulness meditation BOSTON — The positive effects of mindfulness meditation on pain and working memory may result from an improved ability to regulate a crucial brain wave called the alpha rhythm. This rhythm is thought to “turn down the volume” on distracting information, which suggests [...]
Brains of Buddhist monks scanned in meditation study
April 28, 2011 by scc
Filed under Gus, Sleep 411, Sleep and Spirituality, Sleep disorders, Sleep Environment
By Matt Danzico BBC News, New York The study peers into brains of monks. In a laboratory tucked away off a noisy New York City street, a soft-spoken neuroscientist has been placing Tibetan Buddhist monks into a car-sized brain scanner to better understand the ancient practice of meditation.
A Little Meditation Goes a Long Way
March 18, 2011 by scc
Filed under Guest poster, Gus, Sleep 411, Sleep and Spirituality
A new study offers the strongest evidence to date that meditation can change the structure of your brain. by Jason Marsh posted Feb 25, 2011 on: I consider myself something of a prospective meditator—meaning that a serious meditation practice is always something I’m about to start… next week. So for years, I’ve been making a [...]
Why do we sleep? Who knows? Who cares?
March 14, 2011 by Gus
Filed under Gus, Sleep 411, Sleep and Spirituality, Sleep disorders, Sleep Environment
Why do we sleep? Nobody knows! There are many theories, ideas, traditions and explanations. Medicine and Science describe the function of sleep, but not the reason why we sleep, as having to do with resting the body and muscles that we used through out the day. Or there are theories about memory consolidation, addressing psychological [...]
Sleep with RUMI
March 8, 2011 by scc
Filed under Gus, Insomnia, Sleep 411, Sleep and Spirituality
When I am with you, we stay up all night, When you’re not here, I can’t get to sleep. Praise God for these two insomnias! And the difference between them. The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep. You must ask for what you [...]
Emotional intelligence peaks in your 60s
February 28, 2011 by scc
Filed under Gus, Sleep 411, Sleep and Spirituality
People’s ability to empathise with others peaks during their 60s, scientists have found. This article first appeared on THE TELEGRAPH, Science News on 02 Jan 2011 Older generations have greater ‘emotional intelligence” than younger members of society, the researchers said. They are also better at seeing the positive side of stressful situations. The US scientists believe [...]
Meditation in prison – Doing time by Being Present!
February 14, 2011 by scc
Filed under Gus, Sleep 411, Sleep and Spirituality
The Dhamma Brothers, (the story, book, documentary and movement) has had a significant impact on my life. The story has recently appeared on the Internet and on NPR 02-08-2011 (see below for links), which is most timely, as I begin an MBSR course for a group of us that are interested in bringing Mindfulness and MBSR into a local prison!! From [...]
Do you mind being absent-minded? Does it matter?
February 1, 2011 by scc
Filed under Gus, Sleep 411, Sleep and Spirituality
Turn absent-mindedness into mindfulness and improve your life. Andrea Markowitz , Tribune Health contributor December 28, 2010 Have you ever misplaced something that you use daily–like your keys or eyeglasses? Or walked into a room to get something and then you can’t remember what? Why aren’t you paying attention? Your brain is bombarded with more [...]
Paying Attention makes you Happy!
January 25, 2011 by scc
Filed under Gus, Sleep 411, Sleep and Spirituality, Teens and Sleep
Is a Wandering Mind an Unhappy One? This article first appeared on TIME HEALTHLAND on Thursday, November 11, 2010 ** By Maia Szalavitz
Visual Perception Heightened by Meditation Training
January 17, 2011 by scc
Filed under Gus, Interviews, Sleep 411, Sleep and Spirituality
Intensive mental training has a measurable effect on visual perception, according to a new study from the Center for Mind and Brain at the University of California, Davis. People undergoing intensive training in meditation became better at making fine visual distinctions and sustaining attention during a 30-minute test. This article first appeared on Upaya.org newsletter [...]
