Meditation Trains Brain to be Kinder

According to a new study, Scientists have managedAs part of the research, the 32 monks and volunteers
to prove what many Indian people have known forwere placed in a brain scanner, before being asked to
centuries; they have demonstrated that meditation isbegin compassion meditation or to refrain from the
good for the brain.meditation altogether. While they were in each of
During the study, which was published in the specialistthese states, the subjects were exposed to either
journal PLOS One, researchers discovered thatnegative or positive human vocal sounds, which were
meditative training could produce specific measurablespecifically designed to evoke neutral vocalisations or
changes in the parts of the brain that are linked toempathic responses. The sounds used in the study
empathy and compassion.included a laughing baby, a distressed woman and
In the research into compassion meditation practices,some background restaurant noise.
researchers studied 16 Tibetan monks who had eachDuring the test, the scans indicated that there was
spent many hours cultivating their meditationsignificant activity in the insula – the part of the
techniques. The monks underwent a number ofbrain that helps the body represent emotion - when
functional magnetic resonance imaging brain scansthe monks were meditating and made to listen to
during their meditation sessions, which highlighted anyemotional vocal sounds. The scans also showed a
changes to the brain.clear link between the strength of the activity and the
The meditating monks were pitted against 16intensity of the meditation.
volunteers who had no previous meditation experience.However, journalist and yoga teacher Ruth Fowler is a
These volunteers were taught basic meditationlittle sceptical of the study. She said: “Meditation
techniques just a fortnight before their brains werecan change your life, but the kind of meditation the
scanned.scientists are studying is a practise undertaken every
The brain scans showed a number of differencessingle day for years, by, for example, Tibetan Buddhist
between the brains of the monks and those of themonks, or hardcore yogis who are terrifyingly
volunteers. Most notable were the changes in thecommitted to mental and physical control. It's hard and
monks’ brains, particularly in the circuits used toit's tiresome.”
detect emotions and feelings.She also seems doubtful over whether this study or
The inexperienced volunteers were taught only theany other research that extols the benefits of
most basic elements of compassion meditation; theymeditation will actually encourage people to take up
were initially asked to concentrate on their loved onesthe practice. She said: “Meditation may go on to
and send them wishes of wellbeing and freedom frombe proven scientifically as a wonder cure for
suffering. After this, they were then told to generate adepression, but whether you'll get anyone to sit down
similar feeling towards people in general, not justin silence for an hour a day with their eyes closed is
specific individuals.another matter.