2. The Science of Meditation

3. 2 A Brain on Meditation Eastern cultures have long known healing benefits of meditation. Western medical and science fields now recognizing and acknowledging meditation benefits. Two studies showing the neurophysiologic correlates of meditation: Andrew Newberg study of frontal and parietal lobes UCLA study of the cerebral cortex.

4. 3 How Studies Were Performed Andrew Newberg measured mediators’ brain blood flow using SPECT. UCLA Laboratory of Neuro Imaging compared cerebrum of meditators vs. non-meditators using MRI.

5. 4 Four Lobes of Human Brain

6. 5 Frontal Lobe Involved in focusing attention and concentration. Increased blood flow during meditation. 5

7. 6 Parietal Lobe Involved in orientation of space and time. Decreased activity during meditation. 6

8. 7 Cerebral Cortex Upper layer of neural tissue in the cerebrum. Key role in memory, attention, thought, and consciousness. Meditators have large amounts of cortical folding. 7

9. 8 What Does It All Mean? Increases concentration and attention due to increased blood flow. Refer to the Frontal Lobe slide.Frontal Lobe Decreases orientation of space and time due to inactivity. Refer to the Parietal Lobe slide.Parietal Lobe

10. 9 What Does It All Mean? (cont.) Due to deepened cortical folding: Promotes quicker processing of information. Helps with forming memories. Increases decision-making skills. Refer to the Cerebral Cortex slide.Cerebral Cortex

11. 10 Summary Studies have shown our brains are malleable. Power is within us. It is as simple as: Taking 5-10 minutes a day and quieting the mind. 10

12. 11 Resources and Readings Frontal lobe and parietal lobe study www.andrewnewberg.com Cortical folding (Gyrification) observation http://wakeup-world.com/2012/03/22/research- builds-evidence-that-meditation-strengthens-the- brain/ http://wakeup-world.com/2012/03/22/research- builds-evidence-that-meditation-strengthens-the- brain/ Additional reading http://earthvision.info/meditatingbrain.html

13. 12 Questions? For information about beginning your own meditation practice, click here to email your inquiry.here