DrDeClutterBlog.com

University of Wisconsin-Madison study shows that meditation might be your prescription for a happier mind and kinder heart. Who couldn’t use more of those?!

Scientists worked with 16 Tibetan monks and 16 meditation novices, giving the beginners lessons on compassion meditation two weeks prior to a series of brain-scan experiments. The brains scans – taken while the participants responded to different emotional cues – revealed that the monks – who had years of practice and rerouting of their brain’s neuronet system and mind/body focus – had more activity in certain brain regions involved in processing empathy.

The findings suggest that meditation may train the brain to increase feelings of compassion and happiness.

HOW TO RETRAIN YOUR BRAIN FOR MORE COMPASSION AND HAPPINESS

Here is how you can start your prescribed-open-heart-and-mind wellness meditation program, too.

1. Sit with your spine erect. Relax. Breathe deeply.

2. As you inhale, picture a person to whom you want to extend compassion. As you exhale, silently say, “May compassion awaken.” Inhale and exhale for several breaths, focusing on the center of your chest.

3. Recalling the person, silently say, “May whatever clouds compassion be healed.”

4. Repeat this cycle with the phrase, “May this moment be experienced, exactly as it is.”

5. And finally, “May compassion be extended to all.”