Journal of Gyansagar Science Foundation 2013 04 01

Author(s): Sanjeev Sogani, Vimal Jain
Publisher: Gyansagar Science Foundation

Page 65

Dr. Sudhir, Volume 1 Issue 1 April 2013
problems will be solved. We will get peace, joy and inner happiness.
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.
When meditation acts as a constant repetitive stimulus, certain qualitative and quantitative changes occur permanently............. Only Nondual experience.
The root cause of our problems/miseries is our own mind. The thoughts, desires, emotions, ego, perceptions, attitude etc. cause the problems. If we tame our mind, the miseries will be gone. The powerful way to tackle our mind, is meditation.
As we see effects of meditation on metabolism, we realize there is decreased heart rate, decreased breathing and decreased BP.
By well documented studies it is shown that the blood flow to liver and kidneys is reduced with increase in cardiac output. The oxygen utilization level is decreased in muscles.
At the end, let us remember immortal statements of versatile masters and teachers of meditation and salvation. (1) Lord Mahavir: Please remain aware at very second, at
every fraction of second. Please do not be unaware (pramad) and watch and guard your every thoughts,
every words and every actions. (2) Lord Buddha: At his death bed) Monks; whatever
is composed will decay. Continue working in the
direction of your salvation, sincerely, incessantly (3) Swami Vivekanand : (last sentence of his life) Wait
and meditate, till I call you back. So let's meditate from today and now! From this moment on!
It may be worth noting, that the metabolic changes arise from a natural reduction in metabolic action at the cellular level, not from a forced reduction of breathing. All these transpire in to longevity and delayed aging, which we often observe in real saints and meditators.
References
At psychology level, meditator achieves improved cognition, increased concentration and reduced susceptibility to stress. Meditation enhances perceptual sensitivity. Most importantly it improves the attitude and personality of a person as studies reveal. The creativity and productivity of a person improve. Also the mood and sleep of meditator improves.
(1) Jain Agam (2) Dhyana Dipika, Dhyana Shatak (3) Patanjal Yoga Sutra (4) Holy Vedas, Puranas and Upanishadas (5) Tripitak (6) Dhyana Yoga - Swami Vivekananda (7) Meditation - Osho (8) Dhyana Kumbh - Suresh Vakil (9) Meditations - J.Krishnamurti (10) 'Why God will not go away'-Andrew Newberg
If we talk about most recent findings on neuroplasticity, a recent study showed that brain regions associated with attention, interoception and sensory processing like the prefrontal cortex, right anterior insula were thicker in meditation practitioners. Prefrontal cortices thickness was most pronounced in older participants. This can be explained by the fact that meditation probably offsets age related cortical thinning. In general, meditation practices promote neuroplasticity.
Medical References from several Journals and Books
Looking to all above positive benefits of meditation, at physical, mental emotional and spiritual levels, we can conclude that meditation is an invaluable treasure, that we have lost in the stride of day to day hassles and plights.
1) Aries et al; 2006, Systematic review of efficacy of
meditation techniques, Journal of Alternative and
Complementary Medicine 2) 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 3) Antonie Lutz, Richard J. Davidson et al: Long term
meditators self induce high amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice: published in PNAS
November 16, 2004 vol. 101 no 46 16369-16373 4) Mohandas E., (2008) Neurobiology of spirituality,
Actually, pain may be inevitable, but suffering is optional. We all have problems, several problems. But, we must realize that there is a cause behind our problem. If we pinpoint the cause (root of our miseries) than we also know that there is a way out. If we follow that path, our