science and spirituality 3

[Guest guest]

science and spirituality contd. ...3

 

Development of New Centers

 

Can we speculate that some new centers could grow in the brain that

would control the present day frontal lobe - the intellect and the

memory, and every lower function? Probably Yes.

 

'The brain has the capacity for continuously changing its structure, and

ultimately its function, throughout a lifetime. This capacity, known as

brain plasticity, allows the brain to respond to environmental changes

or to changes within the organism itself. The brain is altered not only

by sensory experience but also by hormones and other chemicals,

including those produced by the brain [or taken as drugs].

 

Plasticity is most obvious during development, but the adult brain still

retains the capacity to compensate for injury or age related neuron loss

by changing its structure. This implies that some change in brain

structure also occurs with experience. The change is most likely to be

in the number, or in the efficiency, of connections between neurons.

Mechanisms controlling plasticity include those factors that directly

change connections - synapses - or create new ones.'

 

'Various endogenous factors in the brain play an important role in

stimulating the growth of new connections. These factors may be hormones

or neurotransmitters. They may also be unique compounds known as trophic

factors, which include a variety of chemicals such as nerve growth

factor and fibroblast growth factor. Most trophic factors are initially

produced by the brain during development in order to assist in

generating connections in the first place. Other factors may be produced

only at certain times such as puberty or pregnancy. This reflects the

unique plasticity of the brain at critical life periods. The expression

of trophic factors may also be influenced by experience.

 

Thus meditation and concentration seem to act as stimuli for new centers

or connections to grow. The need of intense sadhana, as seen in the life

of Sri Ramakrishna, thus becomes a necessity if we have to evolve

further and farther. More and more dormant neurons might be recruited to

achieve this.

 

dr c s s