I think educated, higher thought presents a different level of cognition, which provides a person with alternate means of handling self or the mind. For example inedia, a catholic-based fasting, or breatharianism, fasting in Hindi tradition, are both unproven and an aspect of belief. The point: in these and other religions, people claim an ability to not eat for long periods of time to meditate (among other reasons). In recent decades, the Dalai Lama has been a proponent of mixing science and Buddhism.
Enhanced Gamma waves are present in Tibetan monks brains when they meditate; this “suggests that ‘mental training can bring the brain to a greater level of consciousness’” (Scans of Monks' Brains Show Meditation Alters Structure, Functioning, 2005, para. 5). For example, “Activity in the left prefrontal cortex (the seat of positive emotions such as happiness) swamped activity in the right prefrontal (site of negative emotions and anxiety), something never before seen from purely mental activity” (para. 6). Some people take issue with the combination of science and spirituality but personally, I think there is necessity for both.
Obviously, air or breathing is necessary, sleep heals the body and mind, and other basic needs represent human requirements to live. Still, I think that people overcome various physical deficits to preserve a sense of mind despite Maslow’s assertion of a specific universal order of needs. I still believe the power of the mind remains mostly untapped and humans have the power to train the mind and spirit more than most choose to acknowledge. “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”-- Albert Einstein
Scans of Monks' Brains Show Meditation Alters Structure, Functioning. (2005). Yoga Studies, 21. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
No comments:
Post a Comment