Let the Brain Speak: the Neuroscience of Meditation July 20, 2009

Once reserved for Tibetan monks, meditation has become popular especially here in the Bay Area. This practice of bringing one's attention to the present has been said to provide tremendous well-being and emotional balance. Scientists have also begun to bring their attention to meditation for its affects in "re-wiring" the brain. This area of research has been named "Mindfulness". Based on the positive results of Mindfulness research, many therapists have begun to use meditation as a treatment for patients with mild anxiety and depressive tendencies. In a time when the therapeutic medication and surgery have become standard treatments, this research is novel.

Dr. Philippe Goldin first visited us in 2007. He focused on the basics of Mindfulness meditation, the practice of bringing one's attention to the present, which has been said to provide tremendous well-being and emotional balance. Over the past few years, many therapists have begun to use meditation as a treatment for patients with mild anxiety and depressive tendencies. Scientific studies have followed suit, illustrating how meditation "re-wires" neural systems related to attention & emotion.

After two years, he has much more data on the relation between meditation and neurological systems (and he has the pictures to prove it!). He will present data from recent functional neuroimaging studies demonstrating meditation related changes in the neural bases of various neuropsychological systems. Specifically, how meditation practice interacts with brain systems supporting attention, emotion, and self processing, which together mediate psychological balance or imbalance.

In this highly experiential science discussion, Philippe will guide us in specific short meditations and then relay the results from scientific studies. This will certainly be a very "centering" science discussion.

Free.

Official Website: http://www.sciencecafesf.com