"Every human being, if they so choose, can be the sculptor of their own brain."
—Santiago Ramón y Cajal, neuroscientist
Buddhism posits that all individuals desire to cease suffering and attain happiness. Even those with the most troubled minds, those who harm themselves and others, seek to end their suffering and find joy.
It's no coincidence that humanity has practiced meditation—a technique that distances us from suffering and brings us closer to happiness—for millennia. Records indicate that this form of mental training has been in use for approximately 2,500 years across various cultures worldwide: in the East, the Middle East, the West, as well as through traditional American and African medicine and dances.
Over the past three decades, scientific research on meditation has expanded, demonstrating its capacity to alter our brain, mind, body, behaviors, and, consequently, our well-being.
Considering this, it's clear why Ana Vargas asserts that meditation is her map toward Self-Recognition.
Which sciences study the brain and our behaviors?
Neurosciences are a branch of medicine that examines the nervous system—the brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body. Often referred to in the plural as "neurosciences," this interdisciplinary field encompasses various objects of study and knowledge areas, including anatomy, embryology, biochemistry, pharmacology, psychology, and neurology.
A central discovery within the neurosciences is that the nervous system comprises independent cells: neurons. These cells communicate through electrical activity that can be observed, measured, and stimulated by modern devices, providing invaluable insights into the brain and, therefore, our emotions and thoughts.
What is meditation?
Observably, meditation is a mental training that helps develop abilities such as attention, inner calm, clarity about ourselves and the external world, concentration, emotional balance, and tolerance. In other words, it's accurate to say that through meditation, we can distance ourselves from emotional or mental suffering and aspire to be happy—or better yet, achieve happiness.
What happens in our brain when we practice meditation?
When we make meditation a consistent habit, certain brain centers undergo changes, for example:
The frontal cortex strengthens. This area is considered the brain's headquarters and is heavily involved in managing our emotions. By fortifying it, we enhance our brain's higher cognitive functions: memory, emotions, impulse control, problem-solving, social interaction, and motor function.
The amygdala decreases in size. This brain center also plays a role in emotion management, notably fear and aggression. In danger or crisis situations, its activity is crucial as it triggers alarms and activates our survival mechanisms. However, when hyperactive—leading to chronic stress and anxiety, or vice versa—the amygdala detects threats where none exist, causing us to perceive problems everywhere.
The cingulate cortex and insula grow. The cingulate cortex acts as a switch between conscious and unconscious states. During meditation, we aim for full attention by focusing on our breath, listening to ambient sounds without pondering their origin or destination, and attending to bodily sensations without judgment or explanation, ideally letting them occur.
By strengthening our attention, we improve our abilities to comprehend sensory information, select what's relevant, and have conscious experiences, directly impacting our behavior and emotions.
Alpha waves increase. When neurons fire, they produce a sound; thus, depending on the intensity of their activity, they emit different frequencies. Alpha waves are associated with states of relaxation and reduced stress.
In summary, meditation not only modifies our brain's structure and function but also enhances our mental and emotional well-being, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
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