QuakerInfo.com Forum

[Gracie]

I found this article very interesting. While its focus is on Tibetian Buddhist meditation, can't the same be said (in our experience) for Quaker Silence?

http://www.news.wisc.edu/14944
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[Anthony]

[MettaMaid]

In a book written by Howard Cutler, in conjunction with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, ("The Art of Happiness", 1998 - 10 years ago!) there is mention of an experiment carried out by scientists who gave people certain complex finger exercises to learn, over a matter of a month or so.
At the end of this month, by which time the participants had become quite profficient, brain scans showed that the portion of the brain utilised to orchestrate these finger movements (ie, the part of the brain controlling finger movement and dexterity) had actually increased in size....
This, as far as the experiments proved, showed the brain's capacity for 'elasticity'. becuse once the movements were abandoned, the brain returned to its previous state.

Therefore we certainly can re-train the brain to behave in a certain way, and to enhance and improve its capacity for cetain tasks and attributes.
but the training and way of thinking must be continuous.
So it involves personal discipline. it involves continued application of the practice.
Incidentally, the Dalai Lama - who works very closely in conjunction with research centres and institutes specifically examining mental function - has stated quite openly, that if science comes up with any findings that contradict Buddhist teachings, he would obviously have to reconsider matters....

So far.... so good.....!!

Thank you for posting the topic!
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"Hatred never ceases through hatred, but hatred ceases by love alone. This is the essence of the ancient and eternal law."

[Ailsa]

An analogy I have always found useful is that a spiritual exercise or brain training is very like learning a musical instrument. Both require practice and both benefit better from ten minutes a day to a frantic hour once a week - anyone else have piano lessons as a child????

When one starts an instrument it seems like a really difficult task but with time it becomes second nature - the same with attitudes and mental states.
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