"Interestingly but not surprisingly, one of the central benefits of meditation is that it improves attention and concentration."
February is almost passed and today I am assessing my mindful project for this month. I wanted to stop multi-tasking and develop more ability to be attentive to one thing at a time. I addressed my reading attention, my ability to stay focused on conversations, using mindfulness to notice tasks like washing dishes and even just walking. Things are improving.
One success is my meditation practice. It started slow with a five minute span feeling so long. Gradually I moved to fifteen minutes. I use an app called "The Mindfulness App". It includes pre-set silent meditations, guided versions, and even allows me to make my own personalized design of any length. When I hear the little bell ring three times I know I am done. I take a deep breath and feel renewed. Below are some interesting facts about quieting the troubled mind.
"One of the most interesting studies in the last few years, carried out at Yale University, found that mindfulness meditation decreases activity in the default mode network (DMN), the brain network responsible for mind-wandering and self-referential thoughts – a.k.a., “monkey mind.” The DMN is “on” or active when we’re not thinking about anything in particular, when our minds are just wandering from thought to thought.
Since mind-wandering is typically associated with being less happy, ruminating, and worrying about the past and future, it’s the goal for many people to dial it down. Several studies have shown that meditation, through its quieting effect on the DMN, appears to do just this. And even when the mind does start to wander, because of the new connections that form, meditators are better at snapping back out of it."
Hence, we meditate!
More mindfulness Monday posts here.
There is a book called The Shallows by Nicholas Carr. He writes about how the Internet is causing our brains not to be able to attend like they used to. I spend a lot of time on the Internet flipping from one thing to the next, never really spending too much time on any one thing. What I have noticed is that I struggle now to pay attention when reading fiction. When I'm reading nonfiction I have to take notes along the way. I've been hesitant to embrace meditation because of its Eastern roots.
ReplyDeleteShari, I was hesitant, too. After doing yoga for 12 years I find my faith undistrubed. Meditation strengthens my prayer life.
DeleteGood to know, because I have considered both.
ReplyDeleteYou know I find it very interesting about the "mind-wandering". I knew about the benefits of meditation but honestly hadn't thought of the opposing result of m-w. From my personal observations of others who fret and worry, or simply ruminate, I'd say those are good things for a person to be aware of.
ReplyDeleteOur default mode network will bring actors onto our mind stage that we don't really believe or care to engage with.
DeleteWe are told to search, PONDER, and pray. I feel that "meditation" is really those things put into one word. It really is a chance to quiet (or "still") our minds and commune with Heavenly Father. A worthy daily practice indeed.
ReplyDeleteJacque, I believe you are right. A recent talk by Elder Claudio R.M. Costa brought those ideas to a new level for me.
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