Many of us fall into the trap of seeking happiness through material possessions
or external circumstances many of which are beyond our control. It is as if
there is a voice in our brains saying the words "if only."
If only I had a better job, a bigger house, friends, lovers, fame, cars, boats,
and so on, I would be happy. Happiness can appear to be an elusive thing,
just out of reach, just beyond the boredom of our common lives.
Many have pondered the secret to happiness and have found that happiness by
and large does not center on material possessions. Researchers have found
that once the basic human needs are met, affluent people are really not happier
than the rest of us.
So what is the secret to happiness? Perhaps no one knows that for sure but
a group of researchers at the University of Wisconsin, Madison may have taken
a step toward finding out. It seems that the phenomenon known as neuroplasticity
may play a role in learning to be happy.
The researchers investigated a group of subjects' brains by using a new kind
of scanning device called fMRI or functional MRI. This device is capable of
showing the blood flow to specific areas of the brain. It allows scientists
to peer into one's brain to see which parts are active at any point in time.
The researchers used monks who performed at least 10,000 hours of compassion
meditation to train a group of subjects. One group of subjects was trained
in compassion meditation while another control group was told to think positively
about loved ones.
Both groups were then subjected to stimuli while being scanned. The subjects
were exposed to the same stimulus consisting of negative and positive human
voices. Some voices were designed to evoke empathy and others were neutral.
The results showed increased function in the insula, an area of the brain
associated with emotions in the group trained in meditation. There was also
increased function in another part of the brain, the temporal parietal juncture
which has been associated with empathy.
So what are the implications of this study? Well, for one if you deeply practice
an emotional state your brain will respond by becoming more functional in
activating that state. This is very similar to learning new skills like a
tennis serve or golf swing, only instead of developing the motor areas you
develop the emotional areas.
This means that happiness and all of the healing properties associated with
it can actually be learned through meditation. Meditation and guided imagery
have been shown to facilitate healing primarily through the connection between
the mind and body. The mind acts like a source of information and this information
is carried to the tissues to the body via the nervous and endocrine systems.
Negative emotional states like depression and stress have been associated
with illness while positive states tend to facilitate health. Techniques to
improve emotional states may have a powerful influence on overall health and
healing. So far many of these techniques center on guided imagery or psychotherapy.
It may be that compassion meditation may be another tool in the mind-body
healing arsenal. Compassion is central to the teachings of Buddism and the
Dali Lama.
Compassion meditation helps an individual perceive relationships with others
in a more positive way. For example let's say that you are waiting in a long
line and someone cuts in front of you. Instead of thinking about what a jerk
this person is you could think about the action in terms of what could have
happened to this person that he would treat others this way. Or you could
work to be non-judgmental about the event.
What is interesting is that this technique can be learned and actually causes
physical changes in the brain. So to be happier, be compassionate. You will
be rewarded with a happier and healthier life.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/meditation-articles/compassion-can-change-your-brain-and-make-you-happier-431757.html
About the Author:Dr. Bruce Forciea is an author, educator and chiropractor. His book "Unlocking the Healing Code" presents a new paradigm for healing. Visit: Subscribe to free newsletter and receive 2 free health ebooks.
