We’ve all become quite numb to the usual methods of trying to adapt our brains. We’ve all heard of tests and courses that can boost our IQ dramatically. Maybe you’ve signed up in the past to brain-training exercises to try and hone your mental power. However, the hype around these aspects of life has subsided.
On the other hand, meditation is continuously gaining traction as an effective way to unlock your brain and to live a better, healthy lifestyle. And now there’s another one to prove it.
In a recent study, carried out by a team based at the Max Planck Institute, they have found that three unique types of meditation and training are directly linked with certain aspects of the brain.
Within the study, the participates varied, aged between the ages of 20 and 55, all of which engaged in three different types of meditative training for three months at a time. Therefore, the entire study lasted nine-months, classing this as quite a substantial study.
The three different types of training they partook in was called Presence, Affect and Perspective.
Presence
This was the traditional kind of meditation where the individuals would sit and focus on their own breath. When their minds wandering off onto a trail of thought, as soon as they realised, they brought their consciousness back to their breath.
Affect
This is similar to a guided meditation in which the individuals learnt to think lovingly, kindly and compassionately towards themselves and other people in their lives. Empathy is a big part of this style of practice.
Perspective
The Perspective practice was where the individuals thought back to themselves. It was an attempt to monitor their own thoughts during a meditation session. They would label their thoughts, without thinking about them too much. This was to help them gain a greater perspective on themselves, their lives and the people around them.
As you can see, the study covered the main types of meditation that people around the world would practice. At the end of each area of training, the brains of the individuals were scanned. They were then compared to the people in the other groups. The results were extremely clear.
While training using the Presence method, this directly linked to a thickness occurring in the anterior prefrontal cortex as well as the anterior cingulate cortex. These areas of the brain are renowned for their connection with an individual’s attention span.
While training using the Affect methods of meditation, it was found that this has a direct impact on some regions of the brain that are directly linked with emotions, such as empathy.
Perspective training also brought to light some interesting results. It was found that it directly connected with areas of the brain that are associated with the concern of the mental state of one’s self and the mental state of others.
As you can see, these results are very exciting. It’s another step towards proving the countless benefits that meditation can bring to the mind and the body.
All in all, these results show very clearly that meditation can benefit people no end. It can help to reduce stress, anxiety and depression as well as nurturing a more positive outlook on life.
