I recently read some research concerning how meditation affects and supports us. I always find it encouraging to find research that proves it is possible to improve our health and life-balance naturally – research that challenges and changes the way we think of the world. Professor of psychology and psychiatry, Dr. Richard Davidson, a pioneer in the research of neuroscience, has made revolutionary discoveries. He became fascinated with meditation in the 60s and has been meditating since he was a medical graduate student at Harvard University. He is passionate about meditation and his research concentrates on how meditation affects us and changes the brain.
Professor Richard Davidson’s latest research has been with war veterans from Iran and Afghanistan. Soldiers who returned home with deep traumas and wounded souls, suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and high anxiety. He studied how meditation affected them. And he has shown that meditation has a tremendous positive effect on the war veterans suffering from PTSD and anxiety.
His research shows that the brain is elastic and that it is an organ that is transformable.
A Danish Documentary (in English) called Free The Mind, has been made about Richardson’s work – it has just been released.
Free The Mind – read more about the documentary and see the trailer here
“You should sit in meditation for 20 min a day -unless you are too busy, then you should sit for an hour” – Old Zen adage
Anne Sture Tucker 
I love the topic of meditation. I am challenged her but do find meditation in running and walking – however I did go on a yoga retreat on Saltspring a year ago that focused on true meditation. Incredible. I would LOVE to develop a more disciplined practice!
Wow,a meditation retreat on Salt spring Island, must have been amazing!!
Thanks Shira!!
I love that quote at the end. It’s so true! The busier we are, the more we need quiet.
Meditation is something I am always trying to integrate into my life but can never develop a steady practice. You’ll have to update us on your meditation and give tips 😉
I have done a yoga on the beach class, which combines a sea breeze with a quiet mind – luscious!
Sounds so beautiful!! Perfect combination 🙂
I am a huge fan of meditation, and practice daily. It has given me so many gifts, and now I truly understand that when you’re too busy is always when you need it most. Have you seen this little gem?
It shows you how to meditate easily, and fast! Brilliant.
I love this little youtube 🙂 Thanks so much!!
I think it’s wonderful that recently meditation as a physical (not just a psychological) virtue is being embraced so widely. Your post is a great reminder (I’ve been a little lax in my practice lately :))
Meditation is so important we should teach it in school!
Thanks Anne – it is a reminder for me too, to get back in to the meditation routine!
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Thank you!!
Meditation is fascinating. I’ve never learned how to do it and I’ve never really taken the time to experiment with it but I would love to make it a part of my life at some point. It really fascinates me how it can help people suffering from PTSD! If that could help victims of torture, that would be amazing.