Daily meditation stops wandering thoughts


Filed Under Media, Overcome Depression | Dec 11, MST 9:29 am

In a study of twelve zen meditators and twelve control subjects, brain scans revealed that those who practiced daily meditation for a period of at least three years were faster at clearing their mind of distractions than those who had never meditated.

The scientists who performed the study suggest that this area of research is clinically relevant for conditions that involve excessive rumination — like depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders.

I have to agree with them on that point. People who learn to let go of their thoughts, who are quicker at releasing them, are much less likely to be held ransom to their demands.

Unfortunately, at this point in time, though we’re becoming aware of how meditation can be used to counter these conditions, we’re still not entirely aware of why it works. More research is needed before psychologists are able to devise a foolproof therapy which incorporates meditation — though, mindfulness based cognitive therapy comes close.

For now, we know this zen study shows that daily meditation creates a swifter, quicker brain. I can’t see many down sides to that, so for people who have the time, I would recommend taking up a zen habit. At the very least, in a few years, you’ll be better at managing your thoughts.

Zen isn’t a cure-all

Zen meditation is, of course, not a cure-all for depression, or other mental disorders. This story of a woman who turned to zoloft after failing to find peace through Zen testifies to that fact.

However, it’s another tool in the quest to wrest control of our minds away from the devils that often plague it. It won’t save people from depression on its own, but it might make the process of being saved easier.

How to practice zazen

For those of you who would like to start practicing zen meditation, otherwise known as zazen, this following ten minute clip from teacher Gudo Nishijima will show you the basics.

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