I like the article, but would broaden it from Buddhists to meditators. There have been studies done over the years as to what a physiological, emotional and mental benefit meditation produces. There are some people at my office who are taking all these antidepressants and mood stabilizers just to function. When I mention meditation, invariably they smile with a "that's not for me" look. Go figure.
Very best,
hello good people :D
i came across this article in the newspaper the other day, see what you think....
Buddhists "hold key to happiness"
Budddhists spend there lives seeking enlightenment through deep meditation.
Now scientists have used followers of the religion to discover the secret of happiness.
New research suggests joy lies just behind the forehead, in the brains left prefrontal lobes.
This part of the brain is associated with positive emotions and good mood. In experienced Buddhists, it is consistently active.
Prof Richard Davidson, head of the research at the University of Wisconsin, called the results "tantalising"
"we can now hypothesise with some confidence that those apparently happy, calm Buddhist souls one regularly comes across in places such as Dharamsala, India- the Dalai lamas home- really are happy". he told new scientist magazine.
Behind those calm exteriors lie persistently frisky left prefrontal lobes.
It was unlikely that Tibetan Buddhists were born with a happiness gene that activated there left prefrontal lobes, added Mr Davidson.
It was more probable that something about Buddhist practise produced happiness.
Seperate research found experienced meditators did not get as flustered, shocked or suprised as ordinary people.
This suggested they could control the amygdala- part of the brain which makes a person feel fear and anxiety.
"no antidepressant makes a person happy" concluded Mr Davidson.
"on the other hand, Buddhist meditation and mindfulness, which were developed 2,500 years before Prozac, can lead to profound happiness.