Meditation Techniques Encourage Positive Outlook
Scientific studies in the UK and Australia indicate that focused meditation techniques increase left-brain activity, altering perception and creating optimism. Meditation tool creator Laurie Desjardins explains how a simple tool like Zen Sticks can help recreate these effects.
Tulsa, Okla. (PRWEB) June 7, 2007 -- Two scientific studies have shown that certain relaxation techniques stimulate the left side of the brain, resulting in decreased anxiety and a happy disposition. Meditation tool creator Laurie Desjardins explains how meditation techniques can help recreate these effects in a modern hectic lifestyle.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin - Madison looked at the effects of meditation on 41 people. Twenty-five of the people attended a weekly class and a seven-hour retreat, and worked on meditation exercises at home. The others were a control group and did no meditation.
After eight weeks, the group who had meditated had a more active left frontal lobe, which is related to lower anxiety and a positive emotional state. The findings lend scientific credibility to the use of meditation techniques to reduce stress and treat pain.
"Although our study is preliminary and more research clearly is warranted, we are very encouraged by these results," said Dr. Richard Davidson, who led the research team.
Meditation tools and techniques can offer alternatives for the treatment of pain and depression, according to Desjardins, creator of Zen Stick meditation tools. Meditation can also help those overwhelmed by the pressure and frantic pace of the modern lifestyle
"Stress has become a part of our daily lives," Desjardins said. "Taking a few moments each day to meditate can help alleviate that stress, and it's a lot cheaper in the long run than the inevitable doctors' bills when prolonged stress becomes manifested in the body."
Another study done at the University of Queensland in Australia noted that one-point meditation, where attention is focused on a single object, is the most effective relaxation technique for altering point of view.
The Queensland researchers studied Tibetan Buddhist monks who had been practicing one-point meditation from five to 54 years. When the researchers showed the monks images that could be perceived two different ways, one happy and one sad, the monks who had meditated immediately beforehand noticed the "happy" picture and focused on it longer than others. One monk was able to hold on to the "happy" image for a full 10 minutes, where the average person switches after two minutes.
"That's a lot longer than we'd ever seen before in thousands of subjects," said Professor Jack Pettigrew, the neuroscientist who led Queensland's research team.
Relaxation tools that engage the senses and block out distractions can help practitioners reach the deep relaxation associated with one-point meditation techniques, said Desjardins.
"As life gets more hectic, people need something more effective than bells or incense," said Desjardins. "With all of our senses being constantly bombarded with stimuli, we need meditation tools that engage and calm our senses quickly and easily. That's the whole point of the Zen Stick."
To achieve deeper focus and a more peaceful state of mind, visit SleepingTiger.org and buy a Zen Stick today. Have more questions? Call Sleeping Tiger at 918-288-2073 or send e-mail to LTD @ sleepingtiger.org.
About Sleeping Tiger, LLC
Sleeping Tiger, LLC created and produces Zen Sticks™, a meditation tool. Sleeping Tiger is dedicated helping humans find peace and tranquility in their personal environment. They also strive to protect the world's natural resources. A portion of all proceeds earned by Sleeping Tiger, LLC go to My Brothers' Keeper, an organization that provides habitats and healing for wild animals that are abused or abandoned.
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