This Week……….
THE VALUE OF REGULAR MEDITATION & PRAYER
“The long term studies of spiritual practices such as meditation and prayer have increasingly shown that the brain can change over time.
Individuals who practice prayer and meditation over many years have been found to have thicker and more active frontal lobes than non-practitioners”. (adapted from Hugo Brandao, Jewish Neurotheology)
Research has shown that our frontal lobe and thalamus change over just an eight-week period of daily meditation and prayer.
The frontal lobe, located at the front of the brain, plays a crucial role in higher-level cognitive functions, including decision-making, planning, and emotional regulation. It’s also responsible for executive functions like attention, problem-solving, and inhibiting impulsive behaviours.
So it follows that when we train our frontal lobe in positive ways, we’ll also be training our behaviour to respond and react in more positive and productive ways, too.
Regular meditation and prayer also affects our thalamus.
Many believe that our thalamus is the seat of consciousness…. so two simple practices have the power to dramatically change our awareness, our perceptions and our very state of being, too!
So let me repeat that awesome news: our frontal lobe and thalamus can be dynamically affected by just eight weeks of daily meditation and prayer.
Let that sink in for a moment.
Now imagine what can happen to our brain – and obviously to us – if we participate in regular daily spiritual practices and prayers over many years!
Hugo’s study focussed on different forms of Judaism, but it conclusively showed that positive and life-enhancing change occurs regardless of one’s personal and particular belief regarding God/Spirit/The Divine.
Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Antidisestablishmentarianists – everyone benefits enormously by the simple practice of daily meditation and prayer.
It’s obvious that as our brain functions change, our beliefs and behaviours also change. Research has shown that anxiety and depression is significantly reduced whilst our feelings of compassion and love are enhanced.
People find that embracing spiritual or religious beliefs and practices open them to better coping skills during stressful life events, as well as improving their overall relationships.
So who’s up for a prayer and a meditation?
I have some 25 audio meditations you can instantly download and two books with 50 beautiful meditations for adults and children (written in large print).
Just paste into google: www.lesdyer.com
Or simply call me 0414 524 601 for local delivery.
My Workshops all promote a range of different prayers as well as techniques to centre your meditation more effectively.
In the meantime, make up your own prayer today…….
Speak it out firmly so you can hear yourself.
Then sit quietly, focus and connect with your heart for just 15 minutes…….
Let the magic begin…….
If you need to talk I am always here for you, no charge…..
Blessings,
Peace Be Within You!
Les