Sean Ono Lennon and The John Lennon Estate have partnered with the consciousness-expanding phone app, Lumenate, to exclusively release nine reimagined Meditation Mixes of John Lennons classic 1973 peace-and-love anthem, Mind Games.

Shop the best of John Lennons discography on vinyl and more.

The newly transformed mixes have been designed (in combination with the frequencies of light from the Lumenate app) to put the listener in a relaxed, meditative state, to help guide your mind into deeper states of consciousness.

Various sound design techniques and processes have been applied to the original 1973 two-inch multitrack recordings, and in some cases have been enhanced with additional instrumentation from producer Sean Ono Lennon, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono Lennon.

The Lumenate app uses the flashlight on the back of ones smartphone strobed at research-driven frequencies onto a persons closed eyes to neurologically guide them into a state of consciousness between that of deep meditation and psychedelics.

Each of the nine Meditation Mixes has been paired with a unique, deeply immersive light sequence, using carefully selected flicker frequencies to accompany the mind-and-mood-altering sound. These singular, mind-altering sequences elevate the musical journey, deepen the sense of relaxation, and allow users to see, hear and feel the music like never before.

The Mind Games Meditation Mixes launched as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. The experience is available for free, exclusively via the Lumenate app.

Im very happy to be working with Lumenate on this release for Mental Health Awareness Month, said Sean Ono Lennon. I think our Mind Games project is fun, meaningful, and potentially mind-expanding. I have been using the Lumenate app for my own personal meditations since it launched, and have had many profound experiences.

My father was famously into meditation. I remember trying the flicker machine he kept in the bedroom, which is what first introduced me to the idea of stroboscopic brain wave induction. I thought it made sense to combine the music of Mind Games with the science of Lumenate. I really hope people enjoy the results as much as I have.

Buy or stream Mind Games.

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The John Lennon Estate Teams With Lumenate For 'Meditation Mixes' Of 'Mind Games' - uDiscover Music

Recent scientific advancements have shed light on the potential synergistic effects of meditation and psychedelic substances. A study published in Scientific Reports reveals how psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, when combined with open monitoring meditation may enhance the depth of insightfulness in experienced meditators. This enhancement appears to be mediated by changes in the brains organizational patterns.

Open monitoring meditation is a type of meditation that emphasizes the broad, non-reactive awareness of the content of experience from moment to moment. Unlike focused attention meditation, which narrows the attention on a single object such as breath or a mantra, open monitoring encourages practitioners to remain aware of all experiences without attachment or judgment. This practice is thought to enhance meta-awareness the awareness of awareness itself.

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms. Known for its ability to induce profound alterations in perception, emotion, and cognitive processes, psilocybin has been a subject of both traditional use in ritual contexts and modern scientific research. In clinical settings, psilocybin has shown promise for treating various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Its effects include the disruption of normal thought patterns, potentially leading to increased psychological flexibility and openness.

The rationale for combining psilocybin with open monitoring meditation in this study stems from a hypothesis about the complementary nature of their effects on the brain and consciousness. Both meditation and psychedelics are believed to alter the functional connectivity patterns within the brain meditation through trained introspection and increased meta-awareness, and psilocybin through its pharmacological impact on serotonin receptors, which significantly alters perception and thought.

Researchers at the University of Zurich aimed to investigate how the combination of psilocybin and meditation could influence brain connectivity during meditative practice. They used a mathematical method known as topological data analysis to visualize and analyze the brains activity.

I was interested in the technical part of the topic, because I am fascinated by how pure mathematics, especially topology, can be applied to extract important information from latent structures in data that is not apparent to other methods, explained study author Berit Singer, a PhD in pure mathematics. Psychedelic neuroscience and mediation is particularly interesting to me, because I can see that there is a lot of research needed to better understand the mechanisms of these substances and techniques, and because I wish that this will help to use them in a beneficial way for individuals and society.

The study included 36 healthy, experienced meditators, matched for age, sex, previous meditation experience, and dispositional mindfulness. The core of the study was a five-day silent meditation retreat. On the fourth day of this retreat, participants were administered either psilocybin or a placebo during their routine meditation practice.

To capture the effects of the interventions on brain activity, participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans both one day before and one day after the retreat. Each fMRI session included sequences of resting state, focused attention meditation, and open monitoring meditation.

To analyze the data, the researchers employed the Mapper algorithm, a method used in topological data analysis to dissect and visualize high-dimensional data sets. This algorithm constructs a graphical representation, known as a Mapper shape graph, which captures the global and local structure of the data. By applying this algorithm, the researchers could map and quantify the relationships and dependencies between different meditative and resting brain states, revealing insights into how these states interact and overlap.

It surprised me that the subject-specific Mapper graphs were at first sight very different and did not seem to share many similarities, but when described and simplified using suitable graph measures (the optimal transport distance and centrality) their common structure was revealed and turned out to be quite stable across both groups, Singer said. In other words, their common features were not obvious to spot by eye from looking at the subject-specific Mapper graphs, but only after calculating their topological features.

After the meditation retreat, there was a notable increase in the degree centrality of the nodes associated with open monitoring meditation. This suggests that these brain regions became more connected with other regions following the retreat and psilocybin intake. The closeness centrality of the nodes related to open monitoring meditation also increased after the retreat, which implies that these brain regions could disseminate information more efficiently across the brain network.

A key finding from the study was that psilocybin significantly affected the brains connectivity patterns. The optimal transport distance, a measure used to assess the similarity between different brain states, indicated that psilocybin induced notable changes in how different meditation states are connected.

Specifically, participants in the psilocybin group showed greater shifts in the brains functional architecture between the resting state and open monitoring meditation compared to those in the placebo group. This suggests that psilocybin enhances the brains ability to transition between different functional states during meditation.

This increased differentiation was particularly marked in individuals experiencing positive derealization, a state where reality is perceived in a novel and often more meaningful way. Additionally, perceived insightfulness was strongly linked to positive derealization, and models incorporating changes in brain connectivity offered better predictions of insightfulness than those considering positive derealization alone.

The findings suggest that psilocybin may enhance the depth and quality of meditation by facilitating a more profound disengagement from ordinary consciousness and promoting a heightened state of openness and awareness. This could potentially make meditation practices more effective, particularly in inducing states of deep introspection and expanded awareness, which are often the goals of such practices.

The key finding is that meditation and psilocybin are likely to form a useful synergy that brings about insightfulness and that they do so by balancing each others effects, Singer told PsyPost. The research also highlights the advantages of topology to analyze data and uncover latent structures Singer said. This particular method brings an alternative and useful way to look at brain imaging data.

While the study provides evidence that psilocybin can significantly modify the cognitive and perceptual effects of meditation, there are limitations to consider. The participant pool consisted entirely of experienced meditators, which limits the generalizability of the results to broader populations, including novice meditators or individuals without any meditation experience. Additionally, the studys sample size was relatively small, which could affect the statistical power and robustness of the findings.

Long-term goals are to link the topological structures of the Mapper shape graphs and related phenomenology with the usual functional connectivity, similar to the work of Saggar et al. and Geniesse et al., Singer explained. Another long-term goal is to do similar research with other psychedelics and understand their common and distinct features particularly combined with mediation. Finally, it would be nice to create an understanding of the landscape of different psychedelics and meditative states and how they are related and how they interact.

The study, Psilocybin enhances insightfulness in meditation: a perspective on the global topology of brain imaging during meditation, was authored by Berit Singer, Daniel Meling, Matthias Hirsch-Hoffmann, Lars Michels, Michael Kometer, Lukasz Smigielski, Dario Dornbierer, Erich Seifritz, Franz X. Vollenweider, and Milan Scheidegger.

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Brain connectivity maps shed light on the synergistic effects of meditation and psilocybin - PsyPost

Welcome to The School of Greatness! Today, were stepping into the ring with none other than Canelo lvarez, a true titan of the boxing world. Canelo joins us to share the wisdom gained from nearly two decades in the ring, discussing everything from the evolution of his training routines to the deep personal growth spurred by lifes challenges. Whether youre a boxing aficionado or seeking to learn about perseverance and resilience, this conversation promises powerful insights into what it means to truly pursue greatness. Stay tuned as Canelo lvarez reveals the lessons of his illustrious career, his ongoing journey of personal development, and his vision for life beyond the ropes.

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Boxing Legend Canelo lvarez: How Meditation CHANGED My Life & Helps Me WIN! - Boxing Legend Canelo lvarez ... - Lewis Howes

Despite its outward simplicity, meditation can be challenging. But recent studies suggest that theres something that can help usher us into a meditative state: sound.

Whether youre vibing to your favorite tune or immersing yourself in a soothing sound bath surrounded by singing bowls, gongs, and chimes, sound not only helps us achieve meditation but can also amplify its benefits.

Hilary Curtis, a licensed mental health counselor and executive director of Recovery Unplugged, a national addiction treatment program that uses music as medicine, says that pleasing sounds can positively impact our physiology.

We react to music in physiological and emotional terms, as the auditory system is a portal, or doorway, to the vagus complex, the part of the brain and nervous system that controls our overall physiological and emotional regulation, says Curtis. This nerve plays a crucial role in regulating heart rate, digestion, and stress responses. Activation of the vagus nerve triggers the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter known for its calming effects on the body.

Think of elevator music that calms us in a small space with strangers, lullabies for our children, and how playing songs at gatherings heightens our emotional safety and connection to others, says Curtis.

(Relax with 4+ hours of ASMR on Nat Geos Vibe Check.)

This response holds significant health implications. Recent studies propose that sound could be a potent tool for reducing chronic stress, a trigger that negatively affects all areas of the body. A 2022 clinical study found that participants exposed to singing bowl sounds during a sound bath reported substantial reductions in depression and tension, as well as an enhanced feeling of well-being.

You might have noticed that AI-powered watches now offer algorithmic music and soundscapes for stress reduction or that the practitioners who help you manage your health are now incorporating sound therapy into your wellness routine.

Elena Bradford, a yoga teacher certified in sound healing, says that most people live in a state of overactive thinking, overdoing, and stress, making meditation difficult. Studies have shown, however, that you can go from beta (our everyday, analytical chatter of the mind) to theta (a deep meditative state) within as little as 30 seconds when you incorporate sound into your practice, Bradford says.

(What is serotoninand can you really boost it?)

When that happens, Bradford says the effects are overwhelmingly positive. Clients report relief from pain, decreased stress, feelings of relaxation and calm, a release of repressed emotions, and greater positivity.

Her observations align with the research. Studies have shown that certain sound frequencies can entrain brainwave patterns, guiding the mind into deep relaxation and meditation. For example, binaural beats, which involve playing two slightly different frequencies in each ear, have been found to synchronize brainwaves and induce states of calmness and focus.

Moreover, sound therapy has been linked to the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which are associated with feelings of pleasure and well-being. This neurochemical response may contribute to the profound sense of relaxation and positivity reported by individuals after engaging in sound-based practices.

In a 2020 clinical study, an emWave Pro device was used to measure mood, stress index, and heart rate variability before and after a sound therapy session. Results showed a noticeable improvement in all areas, including reduced tension, anger, fatigue, depression, and confusion.

(Youve heard of forest bathing. Now try forest therapy.)

A 2022 study revealed that sound-based interventions, including music therapy and sound baths, effectively reduced pain intensity and improved pain-related quality of life for individuals with chronic pain conditions.

Another clinical study compared the effects of a 30-minute silent meditation to those of a 30-minute sound meditation. Sound meditators reported significantly less stress, tiredness, and negativity than those who meditated in silence.

As with any wellness program, benefits vary per individual, but practitioners report a direct correlation between consistent practice and the resulting benefits. Bethann Schacht, director of Aurora Counseling Associates, says, If sound therapy becomes part of your lifestylesimilar to healthy eating and exercise you should see consistent results.

Several experts state that even 10 minutes a day of mindful meditation can profoundly impact stress levels and feelings of overall well-being. So using sound to help you reach that point may be your biggest return on investment regarding your emotional and physical health, says Lisette Cifaldi, a master clinical social worker.

(Urgency culture might lead you to burnout. How can you combat it?)

While sound baths and therapy are increasingly easy to find, Schacht says you can practice using an app like Insight Timer in your home. The free app serves as a meditation timer with ambient sound options, and an upgraded paid subscription includes courses on sound healing.

Incorporating sound into your meditation practice helps focus your attention inward, says Schacht. Thoughts can be tyrants, but sound meditation teaches you to be fascinated by them, to tame your thoughts so they dont control you.

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Meditation can be hard. Here's how sound can help. - National Geographic

Visit http://www.rsfseniorcenter.org/in-person-classes or call the Senior Center at 858-756-3041 to register for in-person classes

Self-Compassion for Stress Reduction - Each Thursday, January through May, from 9:30 9:55 a.m. - Lower stress through guided and silent meditation using the works of Jack Kornfield and Pema Chodron. Enjoy a 5-minute guided meditation with Ann Nye, Ph.D. followed by 20 minutes of silent meditation.

Line Dancing with Heather Leon Friday, May 10, from 2 3 p.m. - In this fun, 60-minute class, you will learn basic line dance steps and choreography. Beginner line dances include Cupid Shuffle, Electric Slide, and Power Jam. Heather has over four decades of dance experience across many disciplines including jazz, ballet, modern, ballroom, country partner, and line dancing with a B.A. in modern dance choreography from UCLA. She is also a pilates master with 30 years experience. There is a $20 fee paid to the instructor.

Kris Slugg, RSF Senior Center executive director

(Marcy Browe)

Movement with Nick Monday, May 13, from 2 - 3 p.m. - Learn about anatomy, functional mobility, and how to exercise to improve your balance and reduce your risk of falls. In this interactive class, Nick Yearby, physical therapy assistant and corrective exercise specialist with Unlimited Potential Rehab & Wellness will help you improve your cardiovascular fitness as well as your posture and confidence. There is a $10 fee per class paid to the instructor. Join Nick the second Monday of each month.

The Five Pillars to Successful Aging Tuesday, May 14, from 10 11 a.m. - Brenda-Lee Smith, certified senior advisor, at Oasis Senior Advisors Coastal San Diego, will discuss how to determine your own successful aging by identifying your individual needs and anticipated changes in the core areas of health and wellness, socialization, finances, transportation, and housing.

Paint Party with Vanja Houghtaling Wednesday, May 15, from 2 4 p.m. - Vanja guarantees you will have fun and finish a beautiful acrylic painting within two hours, even if you have never painted before. Vanja is a self-taught artist who has painted for almost 20 years. She will bring the canvas, paints, and brushes. Come wearing your painting clothes and leave with your painting. There is a $35 fee paid to the instructor for supplies.

Planting Natives at Home with Nan Sterman Thursday, May 16, from 2 3:30 p.m. Join Nan Sterman, an award-winning garden writer, gardening expert, and horticulturist for this presentation on how to create and care for your own native plant garden whether youre a beginner or a seasoned green thumb. Native plants are what give our gardens a sense of place. They are also whats best suited for our climate and soils, support butterflies, birds, bees, and animals of all sorts, use the least water, and are absolutely beautiful. Seating is limited. Thank you to our sponsor La Jolla Nurses Homecare.

Intermediate Bridge Review with Scott Farr Thursdays, May 30, June 13, 20, 27, from 2 4 p.m. - There is a $100 fee for the 4-week series. Payment will be collected by cash or check (payable to: Scott Farr) the first day of class. Please note there is no class on June 6.

Advanced Bridge Review with Scott Farr Fridays, May 31, June 14, 21, 28, from 10 a.m. - noon - There is a $100 fee for the 4-week series. Payment will be collected by cash or check (payable to: Scott Farr) the first day of class. Please note there is no class on June 7.

Open Play Mah Jongg Monday (weekly) from 10 a.m. - noon Enjoy a friendly game of beginner American Mahjongg, a tile-based game that is enjoyed by individuals throughout the world! A Basic understanding of the tiles and rules is required.

Calling All Chess Players! Tuesday (weekly) 2-4 p.m. - Come and enjoy a friendly game of chess at the Senior Center and get a workout for your brain! Research has found evidence that playing chess may result in improved brain function, memory, cognitive abilities, and strategic thinking. Each Tuesday, enjoy a friendly game of chess at the RSF Senior Center. All levels of players are welcome. Free instruction is provided for beginners. Tables and playing pieces are furnished.

Balance & Movement to Reduce the Risk of Falling Wednesday (weekly) 10:30-11:20 a.m. Learn and practice easy movements to improve balance and reduce the risk of falling from instructor Mordy Levine. Emphasis is on posture, balance, muscle relaxation, and breathing geared specifically for beginners and seniors. Develop stability and coordination and gain confidence. There is a $10 fee per class paid to the instructor.

Chair Yoga Thursday (weekly) 10-11 a.m. - Peggie Moore, a certified yoga instructor, Reiki Master, and BEWELL Yoga for Cancer teacher, offers a weekly outdoor, in-person chair yoga class. This class will teach you techniques to improve core strength and balance, increase flexibility, and reduce stress. There is a $10 per person fee paid to the instructor. The first class is free.

Conversational Spanish Friday (weekly) - Beginner Class 1 - 2 p.m. & Intermediate Class 2 3 p.m. - Jeannette Caruth learned Spanish solely through conversation and invites you to become more familiar with the language. Each class is a one- hour adventure of hearing and speaking another language. All levels are welcome. There is a $10 fee per class paid to the instructor.

Stay Active and Engaged with our Virtual Classes Visit our website http://www.rsfseniorscenter.org and click the Online Programs tab.

Please Note: Visit http://www.rsfseniorcenter.org/in-person-classes or call the Senior Center at 858-756-3041 to register for in-person classes. To receive our newsletter by email, visit our website: http://www.rsfseniorcenter.org and provide your email address or send an email to info@rsfseniorcenter.org.

Resource and Referral Service - Available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Seniors and their family members can speak with a staff member in person or by telephone and receive valuable information to address a wide variety of needs. Please call 858-756-3041 or email info@rsfseniorcenter.org for assistance.

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May 9 issue: RSF Senior Center offers a variety of classes, activities, resources and more - Rancho Santa Fe Review

2 May 2024, 12:31

"We're playing those mind games together."

John Lennon's 1973 song 'Mind Games', the title track from his album of the same name, is often misconstrued as a battle of wits with his lover, who was of course Yoko Ono.

The inspiration behind the song's lyrics was in fact a book Lennon was reading at the time, titled Mind Games: The Guide to Inner Space which came out the year prior.

Written by Robert Masters and Jean Houston, the book offered up brain training exercises to help encourage people to focus on a more positive outlook on life.

So in many ways, the song was a precursor to the promotion of inner peace and mindfulness that we society has embraced in recent years.

It's fitting then, that John Lennon's estate has partnered with the Lumenate app for a series of meditation mixes based on 'Mind Games' for Mental Health Awareness Month this May.

MIND GAMES. (Ultimate Mix, 2020) - John Lennon and The Plastic U.F.Ono Band

The new mindful mixes have incorporated a number of sound design techniques into the 1973 original.

Some of the recordings have been enhanced with additional instrumentation from Sean Ono Lennon, John and Yoko's son.

Unveiled on 1st May 2024, the project has been developed to ease listeners into a relaxed, meditative state, and "help guide your mind into deeper states of consciousness".

The Lumenate app works by gently strobing the back of the user's smartphone upon their closed eyes, guiding them into a state of consciousness between deep meditation and psychedelics.

Four of the nine new 'Mind Games' mixes are presented as Binaural versions, which each have a special focus on a different type of brain wave: Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Theta.

"Beta waves occur when thinking, Delta waves are produced when completely relaxed in deep sleep, Gamma waves are associated with high levels of thought and focus, and Theta waves are produced while sleeping or daydreaming", the accompanying statement reads.

Yoko Ono once described the message behind 'Mind Games' and what he was trying to achieve, and this new partnership feels close to his idea.

"John was trying to convey the message that we all play mind games. But if we can play mind games, why not make a positive future with it - to be a positive mind game?"

"'Mind Games' is such an incredibly strong song. At the time, people didnt quite get the message because this was before its time."

"Now, people would understand it. I dont think in those days people knew they were playing mind games anyway."

"I'm very happy to be working with Lumenate on this release for Mental Health Awareness Month," said Sean Ono Lennon.

"I think our 'Mind Games' project is fun, meaningful, and potentially mind-expanding. I have been using the Lumenate app for my own personal meditations since it launched, and have had many profound experiences."

"My father was famously into meditation. I remember trying the 'flicker machine' he kept in the bedroom, which is what first introduced me to the idea of stroboscopic brain wave induction."

"I thought it made sense to combine the music of 'Mind Games' with the science of Lumenate. I really hope people enjoy the results as much as I have.

Tom Galea, Lumenate's co-founder added in the statement: "It's been such a privilege working with Sean and The Lennon Estate on this exciting collaboration."

"The journeys it takes you on are so deeply relaxing and emotive, providing a uniquely powerful canvas for exploring your mind."

"I cant wait for the world to experience it, it's already had such a meaningful impact on me personally."

Launching for the start of Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2024, the 'Mind Games' meditation mixes are now available for free via the Lumenate app.

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John Lennon's estate teams up with new app for 'Mind Games' meditation mixes - Smooth Radio

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Mindfulness for Beginners: 3 Simple Meditation Classes - Woman's World

In recent years, the practice of yoga has gained popularity worldwide. Multiple users have turned to their smartphones to aid in their yoga journey. Android apps have played a significant role in this trend, offering a plethora of options to help users of all levels improve their practice. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or youre a seasoned one seeking advanced guidance, these apps cater to a diverse range of needs and preferences. Heres a list of ten of the most popular Android apps (with more than a million downloads) that have made yoga accessible to smartphone users across the globe: Sadhguru - Yoga & Meditation (Isha Foundation -- 10 million downloads) The Sadhguru App offers Isha Yoga practices in 12 languages. This app caters to beginners and offers free yoga and meditation practices. Users can access daily quotes, articles, podcasts and videos on various topics. The app also features guided meditations and Inner Engineering Online sessions. With this app, users can wake up to chants to start the day. Yoga-Go: Yoga For Weight Loss (WellTech Apps Limited -- 10 million downloads) Yoga-Go is a weight loss workout app that is suitable for all levels. With 600+ workouts, including Somatic Yoga and Chair Yoga, it caters to various needs. The app offers personalised routines, quick 7-minute workouts and a range of yoga styles.

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10 Android apps popular among smartphone users across the world for yoga - The Times of India

Its Mental Health Awareness Month. If youre one of the 32 percent of US adults who experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression last year, your doctor or mental health care provider may have recommended you learn meditation to help manage your stress. But how exactly does this age-old practice change the brain? Neuroscientist Richard Davidson, PhD 76, the William James and Vilas Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of WisconsinMadison, discusses his decades of research on meditationenabled in part by a collaboration with the Dalai Lamaand dispels myths about how it works and when, where, and how it can be done.

This transcript has been edited for clarity and correctness.

Well, I first met the Dalai Lama in 1992. He was the one who recognized the important currency of science in the modern Western world and wanted to encourage serious scientific research in this area. And he heard about me through the grapevine. He knew I was a closet meditator. He also knew that I was a serious neuroscientist.

And he asked me a very simple question when we first met: Why cant you use the same tools of modern neuroscience that youre using to study depression and anxiety and stress and use those tools to study kindness and to study compassion? And so, I made a commitment to the Dalai Lama, on that day in 1992, that I was going to do everything I could to put qualities like kindness and compassion within the crosshairs of modern science.

You also asked about key findings or key insights, and I think that one of the key insights is the finding that engaging in this very simple form of, if you will, a kind of mental exercise is accompanied by changes in the brain that we believe facilitate the enduring impact of these changes.

Yes, he did. His support and direct involvement were critical in recruiting these very long-term practitioners, and thats where our research began in this area. Because we reasoned, in a very simple-minded way, that we would first test these very long-term practitioners. And if we didnt see anything different in their brains, it was very unlikely that we would see differences in people who are just learning to meditate.

So, we brought people into our lab. We flew them from Asia. They came to Madison, Wisconsin. They spent, typically, somewhere between three and five or six days with us. And we tested them over this period of time in the laboratory. And there are a number of seminal publications that resulted from that that helped to establish that there was a there therethat there was something different about their brains.

And then we began to pursue that using other strategies, including looking at more novice practitioners because the work with long-term practitioners is super interesting and kind of flashy, but ultimately, its not fully scientifically satisfying because there are always questions about these long-term practitioners. After all, most people would not elect to live their life this way. And so these people are highly self-selected and presumably quite different to start with. And a skeptic could say, Well, maybe their brains are just different that way to begin with. Maybe it has nothing to do with meditation.

And so in order to do more rigorous scientific work, we needed to do a randomized controlled trial where you take people whove never meditated before. You randomly assign one group to meditation and another group to a control condition. You train them over time, and you test them before and after. And thats the kind of method that we and others have used to much more definitively establish that it is indeed the meditation that is producing the kinds of changes that were talking about.

We have found differences in, for example, the presence of certain brain waves that we can measure from the scalp surface. There is a frequency of brain oscillation called gamma oscillations, which are very fast frequencies. They are, on average, 40 cycles per second or 40 hertz. Most people do have gamma oscillations, but when you measure them in a typical average person, you see them for very short bursts. Theyre typically less than one second in duration, and they accompany states of focused attention. And you see a burst that may last a quarter of a second.

In these long-term practitioners, we saw these gamma oscillations present for minutes, not seconds. They were very large amplitudes. We actually could see them with the naked eye, which is almost unheard of in this kind of research. And we also saw that they were highly synchronized among different regions of the brain so that theyre aware of more things at any given time than most ordinary people. That was actually the very first major finding that we published.

In this case, were talking about people whove done just a little bit of practice. And so, in certain cases, theyre taking a course that lasts two months. And theyre meditating a total of somewhere between 24 and 30 hours over this two-month period. And there, we see clear changes in the functioning of the brain. We see changes in networks that are important for attention. We also see changes in networks that are important for the regulation of emotion. And in general, one of the important outcomes of this kind of training is improvements broadly in self-regulation, in our capacity to regulate both attention and emotion. And we see changes in the brain networks that are important in those aspects of self-regulation.

What we might say is that meditation represents a family of exercises that involve the intentional use of our mental capacities to improve our well-being and to nurture human flourishing. You dont need to be in any special place. You dont need to be in any special posture, and you can meditate anywhere any time.

We had one particular very long-term practitioner who made many visits to our laboratory over the course of a 12-year period. And so we have 12 years of serial MRI scans. And of course, we know the date on which each of these scans occurred, and we have lots of normative data now. And we can age and gender match it to know what the normal curve is for brain age over this period of life.

And so we can compare this very long-term practitioner. This is a practitioner who, when we first tested him, the very first time he came into the lab, had 62,000 hours of lifetime practice. Thats a big number. What we found is that he was in the 99th percentile of brain age. That is, he had the slowest brain age of a normative database of 1,000 people over this period of 12 years.

So thats one possibility for you. Your brain may be aging, and I would predict it would be aging, more slowly than your chronological age.

Yeah, there are literally hundreds of different kinds of meditation practices, and we have classified meditation into at least three broad families of practice. One we call awareness practices, and thats where mindfulness kinds of practices would be. The second we call deconstructive practices. The most important prototype for this is a kind of meditation that, for example, is most commonly done by the Dalai Lama but actually has received very little scientific attention. And its what we call analytic meditation, where through reasoning, there is a deconstruction of the self, if you will.

One example of that is the sentence that people might commonly use when they might say, Im in pain. If you use that sentence, when you say Im in pain, what does that actually mean? Who is the I in this sentence and does it mean that all of you is in pain, every cell in your body? And so what does it mean to say something like that? Or with an emotion when we say, Im sad. What does that actually mean? And what is the I in that sentence? So, reflecting on that is really beneficial, and thats a deconstructive practice.

The third category is constructive practice, actually generating a specific kind of emotion. The prototype for that is compassion meditation, where youre actively and intentionally generating this quality of compassion, or it could be kindness but one of these virtuous emotions.

To give a high-level summary, awareness practices and focused attention and concentration practices mostly affect systems in the brain that are concerned with the regulation of attention. The deconstructive practices are going to affect the default mode of the brain. This is the mode of brain function that has been linked to self-referential thought. The constructive practices, particularly compassion and kindness, will activate positive emotional centers in the brain and also activate, to some extent, perspective-taking areas of the brain that also are involved in empathy.

Yeah, that is a complete myth and stereotype. Meditation does not involve requiring in any way getting rid of thoughts. Human minds and brains, at least in large part, are there to produce thoughts. The goal of meditation is not to get rid of thoughts at all. Even the greatest meditation masters, and weve been lucky to study some of them in our laboratory, have thoughts. So, meditation may involve changing our relationship to thoughts, but it doesnt involve getting rid of thoughts.

Yeah, I would strongly agree with Jud. I think that thats a very important insight. And we have found that particularly in beginning practitioners, doing really short periods of practice several times a day is much more effective in producing desirable long-term outcomes.

Let me give you one example from a very recently published study that we did with K-12 public school teachers in the US. This study was actually done during COVID when the stress levels of K-12 educators were skyrocketing. On average, these teachers were practicing for a little less than five minutes a day. And they did it for 30 days, but they did it consistently. We found dramatic improvements in their well-being and reductions in standardized measures of depression and anxiety. And these improvements persisted at a follow-up that we did four months following the intervention. I should say this was done in the context of a rigorous, randomized controlled design.

The second thing that we did in this particular study, is we said, you dont have to meditate sitting in a chair or sitting on a cushion. You can meditate while youre commuting. You can meditate while youre washing the dishes. You can meditate while youre doing physical exercise. You can meditate while youre brushing your teeth. And it turns out that, 40 percent of the time, people were electing to do these practices actively while they were engaged in other activities of daily living. And the important finding is that the benefits were just as effective, whether they were sitting on a cushion or doing these actively.

People, in public talks that I give, people often ask, well, Whats the best form of meditation that I could do? And Ill say, Ill tell you, the best form of meditation that you could do is the form of meditation that you actually do.

My reading of the data is that its basically comparable in terms of its impact on, for example, symptoms of anxiety and depression. Whats different is that it has fewer side effects. That is, meditation has fewer side effects. And were much more likely to continue with meditation than we are with pharmaceuticals because of the side-effect profiles.

People dont want to be on these drugs for the rest of their lives. And we dont even know what the safety profile is for very long-term maintenance on these kinds of pharmaceuticals. There is some data to suggest that, in part, because of what I just said, the longer-term effects, particularly in preventing relapse, are more in favor of meditation.

And then finally, I think the last point to make here, is that I think that there is some reason to think strength-based approaches, rather than deficit-based approaches may ultimately be better. Because theres a lot of reason to believe that many of the skills which are important for flourishing, are actually innate, at least the seeds of them are innate. And so, strengthening them, and cultivating them makes more sense than simply treatments to get rid of the symptoms.

Theres some research on a mechanistic level looking at the brain, which has found some similarities but also some differences in how psychedelics and meditation might work. In my view, the application of psychedelics to the treatment of specific disorders is different than the application of psychedelics to people who dont have a frank disorder and who otherwise, might be interested in meditation and/or psychedelics for the purposes of further enhancing their well-being or flourishing or spiritual development, whatever that might be.

We know that the nature of a psychedelic experience is at least in part a function of the guide or facilitator that one has. And just like in meditation, receiving instruction from a really experienced practitioner is very different than receiving instruction from someone who just took an MBSR course.

And so, the training of these psychedelic guides is a serious issue. And what were seeing today is a proliferation of these money-making one-year programs at various places around the country to train psychedelic guides for people who, otherwise, had very little experience. And that frightens me, to be honest.

A second concern is that meditation is not about the experience we have when were meditating. We can have all kinds of experiences when were meditating. We can have blissful experiences. We can also have really difficult experiences. And sometimes those really difficult experiences end up being as important, if not more important than the blissful experiences. And its not about the experience. And psychedelics produce really dramatic experiences. And often, people get very focused on the experience. And people who have had a psychedelic experience often want to recreate that experience. But it really is not about the experience.

Its not going to help you become a kinder person. And those are the measures, ultimately, which matter. Does your spouse think youre nicer, and youre more cooperative and more altruistic? Both meditation and psychedelics, in their original form, as plant-based medicine were, in the psychedelic case, embedded in Indigenous contexts and the meditation in religious and spiritual contexts, both of which have an ethical container. And I think that this ethical framework is really important and is an active ingredient in the beneficial effects that these might have.

(Reprinted with permission from the Harvard Gazette. Click here to read the original post.)

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Meditation Changes the Brain: Heres How - India New England

NEW YORK, May 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The globalmindfulness meditation application marketsize is estimated to grow by USD 1.48billion from 2023 to 2027, according to Technavio. This growth is expected to occur at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 30.01% during the forecast period.

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Report Attribute

Details

Base Year

2022

Forecast period

2023-2027

Historic Data for

2017 - 2021

Segments Covered

End-user (Individual and Corporate ), Platform (Android, iOS, and Others ), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa)

Key Companies Covered

Aura, Calm.com Inc., CBZ Village des Pruniers, Headspace Inc., Humm.ly Inc., Inner Explorer, Insight Network Inc., Meditation Moments BV, Meditation Oasis, MindApps AB, Mindfulness Everywhere, Mindvalley Inc., Portal Labs Ltd., Simple Habit Inc., Smiling Mind Pty Ltd., Ten Percent Happier Inc., UCLA Health, Waking Up LLC, Welzen, and Yedi70 Software and Information Technologies Inc.

Regions Covered

North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa

Key Trends Fueling Growth

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Major Challenges:

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Analyst Review

In today's fast-paced world, mindfulness meditation applications are increasingly essential for managing stress, chronic pain, and high blood pressure. These apps, compatible with smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches running Android operating systems, cater to individuals seeking relief from anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses.

Utilizing modern technologies like sensor technology and artificial intelligence, these apps offer breathing techniques, body relaxation exercises, and yoga sessions to promote stable mental health. With gamification elements and progress tracking features, users can monitor their mental well-being and adherence to mindfulness practices.

Targeting a wide audience, including aging populations and those in corporate wellness programs, these apps provide personalized coaching and motivation. They contribute to preventative healthcare and workplace wellness initiatives, complementing traditional treatments like spa therapies and mindfulness courses.

As smartphone penetration and app usage continue to rise, the mindfulness meditation application market thrives, addressing the growing demand for digital wellness solutions in today's digital-centric society.

Market Overview

In the growing Mindfulness Meditation Application Market, users seek solutions for stress management and mental well-being. With the prevalence of lifestyle diseases on the rise, digital technology steps in to offer accessible solutions. Wearable technology devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers integrate seamlessly with tablets to provide muscle relaxation and stress relief.

These apps cater to user needs by offering guided meditation sessions led by mental health professionals, mindfulness experts, and meditation teachers. Subscription models ensure continuous access to content, promoting consistency in practice. As individuals become increasingly conscious of screen time, these applications offer a balance by leveraging technology to alleviate stress-related disorders. In this dynamic market, the focus remains on delivering effective tools for relaxation and mental health enhancement.

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Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation

7 Customer Landscape 8Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10VenodrLandscape 11VendorAnalysis 12Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

ContactsTechnavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email:[emailprotected] Website:www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio

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Mindfulness Meditation Application Market size to record USD 1.48 billion growth from 2023-2027, Touch input and ... - PR Newswire