THE ART & SCIENCE

OF
MEDITATION

Dr Sudhir Shah
MD DM Neurology

Professor of Neurology K.M.School of PGMR

Head, Department of Neurology VSGH, AHD
Director of Neurosciences Sterling Hospital
Consultant Neurologist - Ahmedabad, INDIA

India 3rd Jan 2010

Why Meditation ?
 We exist in two forms : body and mind.
: exercise.. (essay)

At some stage you realize that peace and

happiness are not outside.

The cause of miseries : thoughts, aspirations,

past & present and attitude

The quest for the god.

All great people have done meditation.

 What is meditation
Exercise of mind to keep it healthy
and clean, as we do for body.

A state of altered consciousness.

Fourth stage of consciousness.

Spiritual ecstasy with neurological

manifestation.

Not really a Hallucination.

Caution.
 Spiritualit
y
Meditation

Philosophy
Devotion
Karmayoga
Charity
Character
RELIGION
Morality
Rituals
 What is meditation? Definitions

Stability of mind
Wavering of mind is stopped
Concentration on one target
Unified thought process
Thoughtlessness
Introspection
Lack of activity
To leave, to give away
Mental aerobics
Intentional self regulation
Patanjali
Dedication
Buddha
Stay connected
Narad
 What is meditation? Definitions

Definition : Thinking deeply or spiritually

about a subject

It is a complex cognitive task

It is more than relaxation, concentration,

contemplation or posturing

Frees the mind from distractions and allows

for communication with the Master Within

The ultimate goal is ILLUMINATION :

ENLIGHTENMENT
 Meditation : advantages
Physical, mental and emotional health.
Cure / control of psychosomatic disorders including
high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, DM,
asthma, rheumatism etc.

Stress relief.
Spiritual health.
Better concentration and sharpness.
Produces relaxation and reduces reactivity.
Improves Job performance.
Interpersonal relations.
 Meditation : advantages
Brings change of attitude
Inner peace, patience and happiness.
Cultivates and promotes positive emotions and
removes negative thoughts.

Helps in controlling anger and conquering fear.

Brings control over thought process.
Improves quality of life.
Intuitive knowledge, healing power, magnetic
personality and occult powers.
 Meditation is an antidote to stress

The neuro chemistry and neuro physiology

of meditation is just the reverse of
stress. Stress : Over
activity of Sympathetic system.

Meditation: Over activity of

Parasympathetic system.
 Caution
However, it is not a push button system, you need
patience. Hence there is a 90 to 95% -drop out
rate. You need to have right guide, right method,
correct understanding, appropriate place,
constant practice, extreme faith and full
conviction.

Please do not sleep.

Meditation industry is at height, because of

commercialization, so one should be careful.

Not to make comparisons, All systems are great

 Meditation is hard work. It
demands the highest form of
discipline which comes through
constant awareness, not only
of the things about you
outwardly, but also inwardly.

- J.
Krishnamurti
 The Real Purpose Of Meditation

Elimination of Ego

Elimination of Mind
 MEDITATION :
PHILOSOPHICAL PURPOSE

Philosophical self realization

God realization

Total bliss (total relief of pain)

Total liberation
 Meditation techniques
Focus on Breathing
Focus on an object, light
Focus on a sound
Focus on a thought
Focus on sensual object
Focus on sensory
perception

Imagery
Soul meditation
 Meditation Practice
Choosing a place and atmosphere
Sitting Posture
Time of meditation
Importance of Consistent Practice
4 purities : Mouth, Body, Place & Clothes
Mental attitude
bare attention, or neutral witness
Pure moment-to-moment awareness, or mindfulness
Non-judgmental inner listening, equanimity

-WARMING UP-

Prayer
Pranayama internet connection... Broadband
 Meditation : methods
Patanjal Dhyana Kayotsarga
Anapan Sati Tratak
Smriti Upasthan Suryasamyam
Vipashyana Adarshdhyana (mirror)
Preksha Dhyana Swaminarayan Dhyana
Jain Dhyana Arup Dhyana
Spand Dhyana Purnayoga Dhyana
Mantra Dhyana Atit Dhyana (past)
Nabhi Dhyana Bhavidhyana (future)
Swapna Dhyana Sarpalanchan Dhyana
Nidra Dhyana Samarpana Dhyana
Yoga nidra, Nyas Tathata
Kriya Yoga Hoo-Dhyana (Dynamic
Meditation)
Mrutyu Dhyana
T.S Meditation
Sahaj Dhyana
Your own system
Kundalini
All methods are great
 PATANJAL RAJ YOGA
Yama : Nonviolence, truth, non-
stealing
celibacy and aparigriha
(Non-collectiveness)

Niyama : Purity, Penance (Austerity)

Satisfaction
Spiritual learning
Worship & dedication
Asana :

Pranayama :

Pratyaahar :

Dharna :

Dhyana :
 Meditation over an
object, place or thought
Chakra, Flame or Photo with
eyes open or closed
 Basic Instructions for Meditation
Anapan Sati

To bring the attention to the breath, but not to

control the breathing. It is not pranayama.

Give full attention to the feeling of the breath as it

goes in and out.

Dwell in the present, moment by moment, breath by

breath.

Observe your mind with moment-to-moment

awareness.
 Basic Instructions for Meditation

When attention wanders, note it and then gently bring

awareness back to the breath.

Why breathing ? Truth, vital, secular, always with you,

present tense, carrier of mind Emotions, thoughts, and
perversions

Continue to watch the breath, accepting each moment

as it is for 1 hour. Not to loose single breath

- The power of NOW

- The concept of VOID

When breathing takes consciousness into each cell,

there is a vital dance
 Meditation-Techniques
Smriti Upasthan : Observation & awareness of thoughts
Budhha, Krishnamurti
Avoid conflict with mind
The root cause of miseries is thoughts
Study beginning, end, structure &
content of thoughts. Pl. do not criticize
Observe & know your thoughts
Study movement of mind and feel separated
This will lead to detachment with thoughts
Becoming aware of ones consciousness
Observer will realize that himself is being
observed

Purnayoga : Maharishi Aurobindos

method of combination Yoga

Empty your thoughts & know your mind
 Meditation
Jaindhyana
Jain religion is Bhavadharma, so
meditation is of utmost importance.
Dharmadhyana & shukladhyana
excellent remedy for all types of
health.
Several types of meditations.
Samayik & kayotsarga are super
meditations.

Preksha, vipashyana, granthibheda

Atmadhyana.
 Atmadhyana

Meditating on the soul is one of the best

meditations.

To remain constantly aware of the soul and its

characteristics and its functions. To dissociate
soul from the body at every moment and the
sentinence the application of knowledge is the
ultimate meditation.

Samayam api ma pamayae GOYAMA !

 Meditation-Techniques

Prekshadhyana : To see To observe ( Jain Method-Lord Mahavir)

Acharya Tulsiji Acharya Mahapragyaji

Breathing (Shwas-Preksha)
Thoughts (Vichar-Preksha)
Body (Sharir-Preksha)
Mind (Anupreksha)
Leshyadhyana etc.

Prerequisites : Mitahaar, Mitbhashan, Maitri,

Pratikriya - Shunyakriya, Bhavkriya

Truth, Non-violence, non-stealing, celibacy and non-collectiveness

 Meditation-Techniques
Vipashyana : To see To observe ( Buddha)
Goenkaji through mahasi sayado

Breathing : control of emotions & perversions

Thoughts : detachment from thoughts

Body and perception of sensations :

control of Raga and Dwesha
 Vipashyana
Operation of the mind, by the mind

Calm and quiet mind

Awake and attentive mind

Equanimous mind
The Sound of Om in a Drop of Oil
CHANTING MEDITATION

"Since all things are made by

the power of sound, of
vibration, so can we create this
world by the same power. The
knowledge of sound is
supreme, for it is beyond all

form. By the knowledge of
sound we obtain the knowledge
of creation, And the mastery of
that knowledge helps us to rise

to the formless. This knowledge
acts as our wings, helping us to
rise from the earth to heaven
and penetrate through life seen
and unseen."
-- Pir Hazrat Inayat Khan
To do chanting on mantra, its meaning and vibra
 Effect of sound chanting
Mr. Emoto decided to see how thoughts and words
affected the formation of untreated, distilled water
crystals by typing words onto paper and then taping them
on glass bottles overnight.

These are effects of the These are the effects of

words Love and You make me sick. I will
Appreciation kill you!
A Yantra is a graphic
representation of the sound of
Mantra
Mr. Emoto decided to see what effects music had upon
the structure of water. He placed distilled water
between two speakers for several hours while playing
music and then photographed the crystals that formed
after the water was frozen. The results of the effects of
these two very different types of music speak for
themselves.

This is the effect of This is the effects of

Bachs Air for the G Heavy Metal Music
String
 Mindfulness Practice

Observing the body and mind intentionally

Letting experiences unfold from moment to moment and
accepting them as they are.

Observing thoughts without getting caught up in them.

No effort to control anything except the focus and direction of
the attention. Not a passive process, yet does not involve
trying to get anywhere.

Eating meditation, sitting meditation, working meditation and

meditation during each act is the goal of mindfulness practice.
Rule No. 1
Wherever there is body, mind should
also be there without any exception
Rule No. 2
Develop wakeful plain observorship
(Sakshibhav or Drushtabhav)
Rule No. 3
Know your soul with your own soul.
 Transcendental
Meditation (TM)

Movement
founded by
Maharshi Mahesh
Yogi of India.
T.S.MEDITATION
Sri Sri Ravishankarji

Sudarshan kriya

Art of living course

has changed
thousands of lives
SILENCE / CONTEMPLATION

In the silence of the heart God

speaks

Let God fill us, then only we

speak.

Do small things with great love.

The fruit of silence..is
Prayer
The fruit of Prayer.. is
Faith
The fruit of Faith..is love
The fruit of Love .is
Service

- Mother
Teresa
 DHYANA YOGA

Perfect
relaxation

Observorship

Non Decisiveness

Dynamic
Meditation
Purnayoga

Aspiration

Rejection

Surrender
 Meditation : methods
Patanjal Dhyana Kayotsarga
Anapan Sati Tratak
Smriti Upasthan Suryasamyam
Vipashyana Adarshdhyana (mirror)
Preksha Dhyana Swaminarayan Dhyana
Jain Dhyana Arup Dhyana
Spand Dhyana Purnayoga Dhyana
Mantra Dhyana Atit Dhyana (past)
Nabhi Dhyana Bhavidhyana (future)
Swapna Dhyana Sarpalanchan Dhyana
Nidra Dhyana Samarpana Dhyana
Yoga nidra, Nyas Tathata
Kriya Yoga Hoo-Dhyana (Dynamic
Meditation)
Mrutyu Dhyana
T.S Meditation
Sahaj Dhyana
Your own system
Kundalini
All methods are great
Swapnadhyana

Nidradhyana

Yognidra

Nyasa
irst Practice Silence of body, speech and learn to get isolated
Then, chanting, seeing an idol, inner flame, breathing etc.
Benefits of meditation

Oxygen consumption is reduced by 16%,

even greater than the reduction of 12% in
sleep

Neural structures that are intimately

related to the control of the autonomic
nervous system are activated

Diurnal, cyclic secretion of stress

hormones (adrenocorticotrophic
hormone, cortisol and beta-endorphin) is
absent
 STATISTICS

Physicians, Psychotherapists, and other

Professionals are increasingly adding
Meditative Techniques to their practice.

Over six thousand Physicians have begun

the practice of Transcendental Meditation
and regularly recommend the TM
technique to their patients.

Many Physicians consider Meditation a key

element of an Integrated Health Program.
 Health Conditions in which
Yoga may help heal or treat
Arthritis PMS and Menstrual
Allergies Discomfort
Asthma Menopause
Hypertension Pain of the Back, Hips,
Knees
Coronary Artery
Disease Depression & Anxiety
Irritable Bowel Substance Abuse
Syndrome Skin Disorders
Heartburn (GERD) Chronic Fatigue
Constipation Syndrome
Tension Headaches Overweight
and Migraines Sleep Problems
 Medical benefits of meditation

Researching the Benefits of on Meditation :

With 7 weeks of meditation, cancer patients decreased

their degree of depression, anxiety, anger, confusion, and
chest and stomach symptoms by 50% - and felt more
vigor.

With 10 weeks of meditation, 2/3s of chronic pain

patients had a 30% reduction in pain, and half had more
than a 50% reduction.

With 10 weeks of meditation, chronic pain patients had

less pain, less mood disturbances, used less pain
medication, and could be more active. The benefits were
still present one year later.

Three years after an 8-week meditation instruction,

patients with anxiety and panic disorders still showed a
benefit.

All patients with fibromyalgia who meditated for 10 weeks

improved, and over half showed moderate to marked
 Medical benefits of meditation
Meditation has been found to be quite useful in most of the psychosomatic
disorders including asthma, rheumatism, gut problems, blood pressure, diabetes
etc.

With 6 weeks of meditation irritable bowel syndrome patients had less

flatulance, belching, bloating and diarrhea.

Even though daily fluctuations in cortisol are unchanged, people who meditate
dont have the daily fluctuations in the cortisol-stimulating hormone (ACTH), or
beta-endorphins, suggesting a change in feedback sensitivity.

People trained in and performing an imagery-based relaxation prior to injection,

had less inflammatory reaction to chili pepper extract (capsaicin) injected
under the skin.

With 6 months of meditation, athletes had less increase in the CD8+ suppressor
T cell response to strenuous physical stress, improving the immune systems
helper to suppressor cell ratio.It also reduces post-traumatic stress.
 Medical benefits of meditation

Patients who meditated during ultraviolet light treatment

for psoriasis had quicker clearing of their skin disease.

With 6 months of meditating for 20 minutes twice a day,

hypertensive African Americans had a decrease in the
carotid artery wall thickness.

With 4 years of daily meditation, coronary artery

narrowing showed regression rather than progression.

Over a 5 year period, people who meditated had over 50%

less doctors office visits, and an average of 50% less
hospital admissions (including a reduction all 17 major
treatment categories such as benign and malignant
tumors, heart disease, infectious disease, and nervous
system disorders). Only childbirth rates were the
unchanged.
Relative contraindications of meditation

Psychosis
Severe depression
Confusional states
Extreme anxiety
Dementias
 Physiology of Meditation

Meditation produces a specific physiological

response pattern that involves various biological
systems.

Mechanisms producing meditative effects include

metabolic, autonomic, endocrine, neurological,
and psychological manifestation.

Physiological response to meditation occurs on a

multidimensional, interactive basis.
Neuro Electrical Changes During
Meditation

BETA: Alert/Working
14-20 waves per second

ALPHA:
Relaxed/Reflecting 8-13
waves per second

THETA:
Drowsy/Meditating 4-7
waves per second

DELTA: Sleep/Dreaming
3-4 waves per second

DELTA: Deep & Dreamless

Sleep .5-2 waves per sec
 Neuroelectrical Effects

Mediation (the Fourth State) was shown to

- increase Alpha (8-13 Hz or cycles per second)
production
- increase Theta (4-7 Hz) production
- increase high Beta (20 - 40 Hz) activity ( with
experienced
meditators).

Alpha patterns are associated with calm and focused attention.

Theta patterns are associated with reverie, imagery,

and creativity.

High Beta activity is associated with highly focused

concentration
 Important features of EEG
changes
related to meditation are :
Establishing alpha activity in spite of open eyes

Increased amplitude of alpha activity

Slower frequency of alpha rhythm
Rhythmical theta waves
Increased synchronization (hypersynchronization)
Dissociation of perception from the external sense
organs
Transcendent signal
Occasional fast wave activity
Decrease in Beta-wave activity after meditat
ALPHA brainwaves are the brainwaves of relaxed
detached awareness, visualization, sensory imagery
and light reverie. Ranging between about 8 cycles per
second and 13 cycles per second, alpha is the gateway
to meditation and provides a bridge between the
conscious and the subconscious mind.
BETA brainwaves are the fastest frequencies ranging
from 14 cycles per second up to 38 cycles per second.
Beta is your normal thinking state, your active external
awareness and thought process. Without beta you would
not be able to function in the outside world.
THETA brainwaves are the subconscious mind. Ranging
from about 4 cycles per second up to 8 cycles per
second, theta is present in dreaming sleep and
provides the experience of deep meditation when you
meditate. Theta also contains the storehouse of
creative inspiration and is where you often have your
spiritual connection. Theta provides the peak in the
peak experience
The MEDITATION brainwave pattern is a
combination of alpha and theta where theta
provides the depth and profundity of the
meditation experience the subconscious inner
space from which creativity, insight, and healing
spring and alpha provides the bridge, or the link,
to the conscious thinking mind so that you can
actually remember the contents of your
DELTA brainwaves are your unconscious mind, the
sleep state, ranging from about 4 cycles per second
down to 0.5 cycles per second. But when present in
combination with other waves in a waking state, Delta
acts as a form of radar seeking out information
reaching out to understand on the deepest
unconscious level things that we can't understand
through thought process. Delta provides intuition,
empathetic attunement, and instinctual insight.
AWAKENED MIND brainwave pattern

It is a brainwave pattern shared by people in higher

states of consciousness regardless of their
philosophy, theology or meditation technique. This
brainwave pattern can be found during peak
experience and in all forms of creativity and high
performance
 Permanent EEG changes
Davidsons research is consistent with his
earlier work that pinpointed the left
prefrontal cortex as a brain region
associated with happiness and positive
thoughts and emotions. Using functional
magnetic resonance imagining (fMRI) on the
meditating monks, Davidson found that
their brain activity as measured by the
EEG was especially high in this area

With chronic meditation, gamma wave

activity(high level information processing)
is found in many meditators
Evoked potentials & meditation

Meditation sometimes produces

altered amplitudes, with practitioners
seeming to demonstrate decreased
amplitude & latency for sensory EPs &
with mindfulness inducing a decrease
in habituation
 In meditation the usual frameworks of
time, space and other aspects of
conscious content are absent, although
the mind is not asleep

Compared to quiet or slow-wave sleep, in

which brain blood flow is reduced,
meditation shows no reduction in total
brain blood circulation or perfusion

Regional maps of brain blood

flow/perfusion differ among meditation,
slow-wave sleep and wakefulness
 Neurobiology of Meditation

Imaging, such as rCBF (regional Cerebral Blood

Flow), real time MRI (Magnetic Resonance
Imaging), MEG (magnetoencephalography), and
improved EEG (electoencephalography) allow
detailed studies in understanding the effects of
meditation on neural behavior.

SPECT study shows- Parietal area of the brain is

responsible for giving us a sense of our orientation
in space and time. By blocking all sensory and
cognitive input into this area, meditation results in
the sense of no space and no time.
 cms
DYNAMIC BRAIN MAPPING
spatial resolution

meg -eeg

fmri pet

seeg

neurons
ms minutes
temporal resolution
ANDREW NEWBERG
SPECT Images at Baseline and
During Meditation

Prefrontal Cortex Prefrontal Cortex

Baseline Meditation
SPECT Images at Baseline and
During Meditation
Baseline Meditation

Superior Superior
Parietal Lobe Parietal Lobe
 Comparison of Baseline
to Prayer : Limbic
inhibition
Baseline Scan Prayer Scan

LIMBIC LIMBIC
 Results from Meditation SPECT Study
Part of the Brain P- Baseline Meditati Percent SD
value Mean on Change
Mean
Anterior 0.0074 1.25 1.34 7.2 0.08
Cingulate
Cingulate Body 0.0001 0.91 1.14 25.3 0.13

DLPFC 0.0001 1.31 1.45 10.7 0.08

Inferior Frontal 0.0025 1.25 1.36 8.8 0.09

Midbrain 0.0166 1.16 1.29 11.2 0.14

Orbital Frontal 0.0075 0.97 1.22 25.8 0.24

Cortex

Posterior 0.0114 1.19 1.29 8.4 0.09

Cingulate
Sensorimotor 0.0017 1.19 1.26 5.9 0.06

Thalamus 0.0114 1.40 1.60 14.3 0.21

 Summary of SPECT findings

Increase rCBF in frontal lobe and shut

down of rCBF in OAA in parietal lobe is
the key finding.

This is not hallucination.

All Meditators have same findings.

fMRI changes
during
Meditation
 Results
Significant signal increases were observed in
the dorsolateral prefrontal and parietal cortices,
thalamus, hippocampus/parahippocampus,
temporal lobe, pregenual anterior cingulate
cortex, striatum, and pre- and post-central gyri
during meditation.

This indicates that the practice of meditation

activates neural structures involved in attention
and control of the autonomic nervous system.

Neuroreport. 2000 May 15;11(7):1581-5. Functional

brain mapping of the relaxation response and
meditation. Lazar SW,, Benson H.
 fMRI changes during Meditation

PET, SPECT & fMRI allow examination of

changes in regional blood flow,
metabolism or receptor (sites of
neurochemical and drug actions)
activation in the brain in response to
various tasks

Most types of meditation, which involve an

initial focusing of attention, are associated
with increased regional blood flow or
glucose metabolism in the prefrontal and
cingulate cortex, areas that are important
in selection of a mental task
 The frontal lobes, especially the
prefrontal regions help to organize,
prioritize, plan and focus attention

During visualization regional blood flow

increases in the visual cortex and
visual association areas in the occipital
lobes

In contemplation of self the parietal

lobes on both sides are activated
visual imagery
meditation on weight of body
abstract perception of joy
symbolic representation of the
Thalamus & Hippocampus in meditation
 Thalamus is a relay station and filtering
station for sensory information. Excitation of
RN through PFC, decreases activation of PSPL
& thereby decreases body awareness & also
decreases input to visual centre (GABA)

The studies point to prefrontal activation

(predominantly right), transient
hypofrontality, increased frontal lobe &
decreased parietal lobe activity & also to a
Deafferentation of the PSPL

Functional Deafferentation means a decrease

in distracting stimuli to visual cortex & PSPL,
hence, increase focus

This results in altered perception of self-

experience
 Activity in Hippocampus is increased in
connections with hypothalamus &
autonomic nervous system

Stimulation of Right amygdala causes

stimulation of ventromedial
hypothalamus & peripheral
parasympathetic system, thereby
causing subjective sensation of
relaxation & more profound sense of
quiescence
 Herzog, et al., 1990 PET, Yoga meditation
Jevning, et al., 1996 Rheoencephalography, TM
meditation
Lou, et al., 1999 PET, Yoga Nidra
Lazar, et al., 2000 fMRI, Kundalini Yoga
Khushu, et al., 2000 fMRI, Raja Yoga
Baerensten, et al., 2001 fMRI Onset of meditation
Newberg, et al., 2001 SPECT, Tibetan meditation
Azari, et al., 2001 PET, Psalm 23 recitation
Kjaer, et al., 2002 PET 11C-raclopride binding, Yoga
Nidra
Newberg, et al., 2003 SPECT, Franciscan Prayer
Lazar, et al., 2003 fMRI, Mindfulness vs. Kundalini
Ritskes, et al., 2003 fMRI, Zen
Lazar, et al., 2005 MRI, Buddhist Insight Meditation
Kakigi, et al., 2005 fMRI, Noxious LASER stimulation of
a Yoga master who claims to feel no pain during
meditation
Orme-Johnson, et al., 2006 fMRI, TM effects on brain
reactivity to pain
 Neurochemical Changes During Meditation

Meditation increases Serotonin production,

an important neurotransmitter and
neuropeptide that influences mood and
behavior in many ways. It can stimulate
increased production of Acetylcholine,
involved in memory mechanisms & attention

Meditation has also been associated with

increased melatonin availability
 Neurochemical changes during
meditation

During meditation, locus ceruleus

activity decreases, thereby decreasing
norepinephrine production

Relatively greater activity of

parasympathetic system causes
decreased production of catecholamines,
epinephrine & norepinephrine by adrenal
medulla

Neurochemical Changes During Meditation

Neurochemical Observed Change CNS Structure

Arginine Vasopressin Increased Supraoptic Nucleus

GABA Increased Thalamus, other

inhibitory structures
Melatonin Increased Pineal Gland

Serotonin Increased Dorsal Raphe

Dopamine Increased Basal Gangia

Cortisol Decreased Paraventricular

Nucleus
Norepinephrine Decreased Locus Ceruleus

-Endorphin Rhythm changed; Arcuate Nucleus

levels unaltered
 Meditation and the
Autonomic Nervous System

An increase in the skin resistance.

Galvanic skin responses, showed that meditators

recovered from stress more quickly than non-meditators.

Decreased limbic arousal in the brain-reduces stress and

increases autonomic stability to stress.

Reduction in limbic arousal may explain how meditation

strengthens and enhances the ability to cope with stress.
 Meditation and the
Central Nervous System

The practice of meditation decreases muscle reflex time.

Accelerates neural conduction or augments the release

of neurotransmitters, thereby decreasing synaptic time,
resulting in a change in muscle firing threshold and
pattern.

By inhibiting the left cortical hemisphere, the sense of

time and logic no longer dominate consciousness during
meditation.Suppression of Ego faculty and later on Mind.
 The Plausible Hypothesis

When meditation acts as a constant repetitive stimulus, certain

permanent qualitative and quantitative changes develop in
nervous system.

Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators may stimulate growth

of dormant neurons to develop a centre higher than neocortex-
God module.

This higher centre will exert inhibitory control over present

neocortex and thereby over mind as a whole- thereby
suppressing consciousness and all mental activities.

Spiritual ascent is from the least evolved state of

consciousness to near perfect state with which the mind itself
will cease to be and there will remain only non-dual experience.
 Meditation and the Endocrine System

Reduced blood levels of lactate, cortisol, and epinephrine.

Reduces sympathetic adrenergic receptor sensitivity,

producing a decreased response to stressful situations .

Increased levels of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA),

melatonin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.

Meditation produces its anxiolytic effects by promoting

GABA action in specific areas of the brain.

Similar effects can be achieved by Reiki, Acupuncture.

 Meditation and Metabolism

A wakeful state accompanied by decreased metabolism.

Decreased breathing pattern, decreased heart rate, and

decreased blood pressure.

Blood flow to the kidneys and liver declined in the

practitioners, with an increase in cardiac output.

Decrease in the level of oxygen utilization and carbon

dioxide elimination by muscles.

The metabolic changes arise from a natural reduction in

metabolic activity at the cellular level, not from a forced
reduction of breathing.

Longevity and delayed aging !

 Meditation & Neuroplasticity

A recent MRI study showed that, brain

regions associated with attention,
interoception & sensory processing like
the PFC & right anterior insula were
thicker in meditation practitioners

Meditation probably offsets age-related

cortical thinning & thereby suggesting
to promote Neuroplasticity
 Meditation and Psychology

Practice of meditation improves

cognitive task performance, increases
mental concentration, and reduces
susceptibility to stress.

Both subjective and objective

examinations reveal that meditation
enhances perceptual sensitivity.
Meditation and Psychology

It improves the attitude & personality of a

person
Improved concentration and attention,
allowing for greater productivity, problem-
solving, creativity, learning ability and
organization of memory.
Enhanced self-image
Less catastrophic reaction to stressful
situations, e.g., in survivors of attempted
suicide
Better sociability, tolerance and
compassion
Improved mood, sleep & scores on self-
actualization
 Attitude
The Longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude
on life. Attitude to me, is more important than facts. It is
more important than the past, than education, successes,
than what other people think or say or do. It is more
important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or
break a company.. a church. a home. The remarkable
thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we
will embrace for that day. We can not change our past..... we
cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is
to play on the only string we have, and that is our
attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to
me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you.. We are
in charge of our Attitudes .
- Charles Swindoll
Neural correlates of anxiety

Factors decreasing anxiety during meditation :

Increased parasympathetic acitivity,
GABAergic drive, serotonin, endorphins &
AVP
Decreased LC firing with decreased
noradrenaline & decreased levels of stress
hormone cortisol

Depression

Factors contributing antidepressant effect :

Increase in serotonin, dopamine, melatonin,
endorphin & AVP
Decrease in CRH & cortisol
Psychosis

A variety of schizophrenic effects can be seen

Meditation can induce psychotic states via

mechanisms such as :
Increased 5HT 2 receptor activation, leading
to inhibition of LGB
Increased DMT, causing hallucinogenic
effects
Increase in NAAG, having dissociative
hallucinogenic effects
Increase in dopamine affecting temporal lobe
Implications for Psychiatry

Complementary & alternative medicine

? Alternative to Hypnosis
Low cost, with continuation for life
Group dynamics & group practice
Combination e.g. Mindfulness-Based
Cognitive Behavior Therapy or Spiritually
Augmented CBT
Enhancing ones psychological
resources/holistic living/self actualization
Meditative state changes may develop into
traits
Preventive Psychiatry
Unresolved issues New Frontiers

Although we can understand how the various

lobes and neurotransmitters function during
meditation, how are these actions directed and by
whom?

What accounts for the actual awareness of the

experience and of self and where are they
perceived?

How do we actually know that something is true

and meaningful? What accounts for this
conviction?

The link with the Master Within and with Cosmic

Consciousness has not been explained and cannot
be approached from a neuroscience perspective
 Four way Truth

That there is a problem

That there is a cause
That there is a way
If you follow the path, you will get the
solution
Now Monks, I have nothing more to
tell you but all that is composed
will decay. Strive after your own
Salvation.
-Lord Buddha
 WAIT AND MEDITATE,

TILL I CALL YOU BACK

- Swami
Vivekananda
 REFERENCES
Jain Agam
Dhyana Dipika, Dhyana Shatak
Patanjal Yoga Sutra
Holy Vedas, Puranas and Upanishadas
Tripitak
Dhyana Yoga - Swami Vivekananda
Meditation - Osho
Dhyana Kumbh - Suresh Vakil
Meditations - J.Krishnamurti
Why God will not go away Andrew Newberg
Medical References from several journals
 REFERENCES
Aries et al;2006, Systematic review of efficacy of meditation
techniques, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Cahn B.R., Polich J.,(2006), Meditation states and traits:EEG,ERP

and neuroimaging studies, Psychol Bull,(2005),Meditation
experience is associated with increased cortical
thickness,Neuroreport

Mohandas E.,(2008) Neurobiology of spirituality, Mens Sena

Monograph.

Newberg A.B.(2003),The neural basis of the complex mental task

of meditation:neurotransmitter and neurochemical
consideration,Med Hypotheses.

U.S.Department of Health(2007) Meditation Practices for

Health:state of the Reasearch