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Brain and Mindfulness in the Time of Uncertainty
“To understand the immeasurable, the mind must be extraordinarily quiet, still.”– Jiddu Krishnamurti
Classics withstand the test of time. The works of Shakespeare, for example, reverberate today in theaters across the world, move us and have for a few centuries. So too with mindfulness practices. Sitting in stillness, observing breath, meditating whether conscious, guided imagery, or using sound are nothing new.
by Judith Dreyer, MS, BSN
“To understand the immeasurable, the mind must be extraordinarily quiet, still.”– Jiddu Krishnamurti
Classics withstand the test of time. The works of Shakespeare, for example, reverberate today in theaters across the world, move us and have for a few centuries. So too with mindfulness practices. Sitting in stillness, observing breath, meditating whether conscious, guided imagery, or using sound are nothing new.
Today with the difficulties we face on many levels and working from home, we have an opportunity to include mindfulness practices. We can sprinkle them within our day to rejuvenate our approach to work and family.
The 2017 National Health Survey found that U.S. adults use of meditation in the past twelve months tripled between 2012-2017. (from 4.2 % to 14.2%) https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-in-depth[1]
Why are we turning to mindful practices? Why could they be important to include in our daily life?
The NIHCAM reports ongoing studies are showing a positive health response to folks experiencing pain, high blood pressure, IBS, Ulcerative Colitis, anxiety, depression, and insomnia when including a meditation practice into their daily routine. And that meditation practice in particular “can affect activity in the amygdala (a part of the brain involved in processing emotions), and that different types of meditation can affect the amygdala differently even when the person is not meditating. “
What I find fascinating is that meditation studies also suggest that this mindful practice may slow, stall or even reverse changes in our brain as we age. As our population gets older, keeping healthy, strong, and vital on all levels are worthy goals. We retire from employment, have more time to create healthy routines that nourish body, mind, and soul.
What else happens in our brain with mindfulness attention? In How God changes your Brain, by Dr. Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman, researchers found that spiritual practices increase dopamine levels by 65%. We know that dopamine creates increased sensory imagery, generates pleasurable experiences, stimulates positive thoughts, increases your sense of well-being and allows you to feel safe in the world.” (p. 55)
Brain image studies are suggesting that long term meditators “have more folds in the outer layer of the brain. This process, (called gyrification) may increase the brains ability to process information.” (NIHCAM :https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-in-depth )
Today, uncertainty over finances, jobs, culture, social unrest, travel restrictions can steal our inner calm. Do we feel safe? Can we face all the uncertainties and isolation with more inner peace?
Here at Cloud 9 Online we suggest that yes, we can create more inner clam as we live with and live through these changes. We offer a meditation app for free for a limited time. Easy to find and use on all devices allows you to include meditation, sound in your daily life.
Remember: breathe in... breathe out... with mindfulness. Enjoy your day.
1. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-in-depth
2. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-in-depth[2]
3. How God Changes Your Brain, by Dr. Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman
Mindfulness and Our Cells
Technology moves in nanoseconds. Innovations in the medical field alone astound us. Technology allows us to venture into micro spaces unheard of a few short years ago. We can verify, quantify, and qualify biological processes reducing harm to our physical body while mending, healing in proactive ways.
The mind, too, is a part of this process. I would say that the days of seeing the mental function separate from our body and seeing our body as just a machine may be over. As we integrate within ourselves and integrate our knowledge that the mind and body, emotions, our spiritual senses, make up who we are, we see our self, our body as an inclusive operating system with many components that interact holistically. Maybe we can start asking the question: If I need to fix or heal an aspect of my heart, what impact will it have on my liver, kidney, sleep, or even my mood?
by Judith Dreyer, MS, BSN
Technology moves in nanoseconds. Innovations in the medical field alone astound us. Technology allows us to venture into micro spaces unheard of a few short years ago. We can verify, quantify, and qualify biological processes reducing harm to our physical body while mending, healing in proactive ways.
The mind, too, is a part of this process. I would say that the days of seeing the mental function separate from our body and seeing our body as just a machine may be over. As we integrate within ourselves and integrate our knowledge that the mind and body, emotions, our spiritual senses, make up who we are, we see our self, our body as an inclusive operating system with many components that interact holistically. Maybe we can start asking the question: If I need to fix or heal an aspect of my heart, what impact will it have on my liver, kidney, sleep, or even my mood?
Today we are living in a time of considerable uncertainty, filled with tensions and stresses some healthy, some detrimental. Yet it is through these very tensions that something stirs us to create, to be something more.
Bruce Lipton, the author of Biology of Belief, is a cellular biologist who began to see the world of a cell from a different perspective. He studied one cell, which led him to discover how cells work together in community. Remember, we are composed of trillions of cells, and somehow, they do work in harmony with each other. Liver cells get to function as liver cells though they connected to bile cells, and kidneys happen to be nearby. His research validates that we are one, and what we do affects the whole. We are a remarkable operating system.
Dr. Lipton discovered that as cells evolved from a single cell into units, a community formed, which changed the rules. What one does, does affect the whole. Dr. Lipton goes on to describe how a cell wall functions as the doorkeeper. The cell wall membrane receives signals from the environment, and they make internal decisions accordingly.
"...a cell's life is controlled by the physical and energetic environment and not by its genes. Genes are simply molecular blueprints used in the construction of cells, tissues, and organs. The environment serves as a "contractor" who reads and engages those genetic blueprints and is ultimately responsible for the character of a cell's life." (Biology of Belief, p 15.)
He stresses that the environment plays an enormous role in determining who gets through the cell membrane's doors. Dr. Lipton discovered and observed that the mind, through its various complex signals, can override the cell's decision making. So, what we think, what we feel directly influences a cell's function. What does this have to do with mindfulness practices? When we sit and focus on our breath, we change our biochemistry.
"When you take a deep breath in, your heart rate quickens slightly. As you exhale, your heart rate slows. Repeated deep breaths will naturally bring your heart rate more in sync with your breath. This leads your brain to release endorphins, which are chemicals that have a natural calming effect. But if you're stuck in shallow breathing, that endorphin release doesn't happen. "(Does Deep Breathing Really Do Anything? Updated April 23, 2019, from NeuroCore)
Now we can penetrate the halls of medicine, bridging ancient wisdom with a science framework that will open the doors to understanding the value of alternative practices such as mindfulness, including various forms of meditation.
Here at MediMind, we seek to offer solutions to everyday living by providing meditations that reach into our holistic nature, that moves us toward health, well-being and strengthens our ability to cope with whatever the outside world brings to our doorstep. Not only that, but meditations can offer ways to create bridges between each other and consider we are one. Remember, take a moment today to breathe in …and breathe… out with mindfulness.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180423135048.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140106190050.htm
Mantras, Sound Vibrations
I met Swami Sivananda Radha through her book, Radha, Diary of a Woman’s Search. Her deep love and devotion, discipline for her practices seemed to reach out to me through the words printed on pages within a humble book. Yet, I cannot deny the experience. She taught me the true value of guru to the student, the purity of that profound connection untethered to the illusions of the Hollywood, media world. Curious, I bought more of her books, delved more deeply into the meaning and energy behind yoga, meditations, and mantra practices.
by Judith Dreyer, MS, BSN
I met Swami Sivananda Radha through her book, Radha, Diary of a Woman’s Search. Her deep love and devotion, discipline for her practices seemed to reach out to me through the words printed on pages within a humble book. Yet, I cannot deny the experience. She taught me the true value of guru to the student, the purity of that profound connection untethered to the illusions of the Hollywood, media world. Curious, I bought more of her books, delved more deeply into the meaning and energy behind yoga, meditations, and mantra practices.
Here at Medi Mind, we seek to bring mindfulness practices into all aspects of life. Our sincere intention is to be of service, to contribute solutions to and for our current world mired in profound challenges. Mantras offer a form of mindful practice when understood in its complexity, practiced and experienced, can dissolve tensions or illusions as our ancient teachers would say. They answer our prayers and heartfelt longings and offer a sense of peace connected to the Divine or something more.
The word Mantra often used in yoga classes, meditation, or mindfulness practices begs the question: do we understand its roots? I find looking at sources, brings me to a depth of understanding that enriches the experience of the practice.
Mantra
It is said that the world formed out of the ether. When a sound was uttered in this void, the Universe was created, Ancient seers or rishis perceived these mantras from Creative Source and brought them into audible form with a precise pattern of syllables, melody, rhythm.
Mantra is part of Nada Yoga, the yoga of sound.
“The root man in the word mantra means in Sanskrit to” to think.; tra comes from trai, meaning to protect or free from the bondage of samsara or the phenomenal world.” But, she cautions, there are many levels of meaning in a Mantra which must be experienced to be truly understood. An intellectual explanation encompasses only a very small part of its meaning.” (Swami Sivananda Radha, Mantras, Words of Power).
A Mantra has six aspects:
1. rishi, or seer
2. Raga or melody
3. Devata, the presiding deity
4. Bija, or seed sound
5. Sadti or power
6. Kilaka or pillar
A Mantra, understood within the context of these aspects, contains the seer who is the messenger, the deity, a seed sound carried within the melody that connects us to this higher generating power. Also, a pillar, which contains the will-power a disciple needs to pursue the Mantra and so much more.
The ancient ones tell us too that Mantras hold all the repetitions that generate a power that activates a spiritual force. And, more than that, they contain all the answers. I don’t know about you, but I find this depth of meaning adds something profound to my understanding. This something cannot easily translate into words. Something that reminds me that what is worthwhile takes time and practice to know, to carry that knowing deep within my cells.
We know that working with sound creates a vibration. Different sound vibrations can bring in a wave that touches us emotionally. Think about the sound of water streaming across stones, or horns honking in traffic, or a story we read, formed of words that take us into our imaginations. Do you sing in the shower, hum in the car? We all resonate with some form of sound, and that’s where the magic and the mystery lies.
We invite you here at Medi Mind, to listen to a Mantra. How did it resonate with you? Where in your body did you feel the sound vibrate? We encourage you to share your experiences with us.