1. Meditation Research

2. Meditation 1) Cultivation of basic human qualities: -stable clear mind
-emotional balance
-caring mindfulness
2)Familiarization with serene, flexible way of being

3. Three common types of meditation
1)Focused attention:
-tame and center the mind in the present;
-capacity to remain vigilant to distractions
2)Mindfulness:
-less emotionally reactive awareness to emotions, thoughts, sensations
3)Compassion:
-altruistic perspective toward others

4. Research on cognitive cycle: 4 Parts
1)Distraction: Dorsal Mode Network (DMN),medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate, precuneus, inferior parietal, lateral termporal
2)Aware of distraction: anterior insula, anterior cingulate, the “salience network”
3)”Take Back”: dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, inferior parietal
4)Attention remains directed toward object: DLPFC

5. Research on Mindfulness
Decrease in anxiety-related regions: insular cortex, amygdala for pain perception
Better control over stress and inflammation: decrease amygdala, cortisol, and blood pressure; increase telomerase(lengthen DNA),
Anxiety, depression, sleep improve
Relapse from depression: 40% decrease with 6 months mindfulness and cognitive therapy
Protection against relapse comparable to maintenance antidepressant therapy
May benefit BD, GAD, Panic, hypochondriasis, Social Phobia, Substance Abuse

6. Research on Compassion
Benefit health care workers, teachers, others who run risk of emotional burnout
Increase orbitofrontal cortex, nuclear accumbens of ventral striatum, insula, anterior cingulate, temporal-parietal junction
Sustained gamma waves, Hz, build temporary brain networks that integrate cognitive and affective functions
Neural activity can be developed in novices in short period of time

7. Summary on Meditation Research
Mindfulness decreases activation of limbic regions like amygdala involved in negative affect and stress reactivity
Compassion increase activation of limbic regions involved in social responsiveness, empathy, positive affect and internal reward
Future: SUBTLE meditation, integral practices, Polyvagal theory, myelinated smart vagus- ? integrate higher cortical processes for social engagement with brain stem and neuropeptides