A friend posted this interesting link on FB about research studies that show how meditation alters brain activity: “The study investigated the effects of a day of intensive mindfulness practice in a group of experienced meditators, compared to a group of untrained control subjects who engaged in quiet non-meditative activities. After eight hours of mindfulness practice, the meditators showed a range of genetic and molecular differences, including altered levels of gene-regulating machinery and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory genes, which in turn correlated with faster physical recovery from a stressful situation.”

Of course it irks me to no end the arrogance of western science (spiritual traditions all over the world having known this for eons), but it was a good reminder as I’ve been a bit lax lately in my own practice, which has become invaluable to me. For those who are interested but don’t feel ready to go to say, a Shambala Center (they’re lovely places but it can be hard to find time), I highly recommend Meditation in Action, a classic from 1977 by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, which was recommended to me. Its a bare bones book, compiled from lectures given in Scotland in the 1960s, difficult to absorb, and full of nuggets. I read it very slowly. For something more immediately accessible, try Pema Chodrin’s How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind, 2013. And should you started a practice, let your mayor know!

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