memory and meditation

[Guest guest]

The 9-25 issue of New Scientist contains two articles about

memory; both are related to meditation.

The first article "Never forget / old brains can be helped to

form new memories" is about the discovery that memory

deterioration during aging is caused by stress hormones

(corticosteroids); they are blocking the growing of new

neurons, needed to form memories about recent events. In

elderly people, the level of these stress hormones can be the

threefold of the level in young adults.

 

So the forming of new neurons by K. awakening can have the

same reason; bliss and stress don't mix. It shows that

meditation, yoga, nonduality should have an important role in

society as a natural stress inhibitor. How medical science

will react is predictable: "medicines" to block the effects

from stress hormones. With the predictable outcome of more

stress, thanks to the better memory; isn't medical science

great

 

The second (small) article starts with the description of a

simple experiment: you are told, it will be unpleasant. You

are asked to plunge your hand in a tub of cold water (not

knowing it is 14 C), only to remove it when told to do so;

this happens after a minute. Seven minutes later, a similar

experiment: this time, the first experiment is repeated but

when the minute is over, the water is warmed 1 degree ©

during 30 seconds. Which of the experiences do you want to

repeat? Most people choose the longer trial. The theory is

that the duration of an experience is neglected by memory;

there is undue influence by the most intense moments and by

the endings. So 90 seconds of pain (both 14 and 15 C is rather

cold), ending less severe is recollected as better than

suffering 60 seconds. This suggests inbuilt biases like

compressing time, giving undue weight to peak moments and the

way an experience ends.

 

It explains why a few peak experiences outweigh the boredom of

many holidays offered by mass-tourism and why for mountaineers

the few moments "on top" outweigh the many hours of hardships.

It also explains, why "flash-enlightenment" reduces the

"before" to something insignificant and explains why "after"

some have no problem to live of life that could be called

ascetic.

 

Jan

[Guest guest]

Dear Jan:

 

Thanks so much for the time and effort you expended in submitting this

information. I found it most illuminating and it further underscores the

human nature of seeking any form of "pay off" or improvement no matter the

effort involved. It reads like a reflection of civilization itself.

 

Yes, I agree...pharmaceutical companies will bottle this and it will be

abused. God only knows how.

 

Meditation and bliss work do enhance thinking, creativity and I agree that

this all promotes longer life and healthier living. All of which contributes

again to longer life.

 

I wonder how many of us actively seek to do focused inward neuron

reconstruction imagery? It would be worth a grand Satsangh experiment to

devise some basic meditative strategies and then apply them. We could agree

on a standard memory or problem solving exam and do before and after testing

to measure the results.

 

Anyone interested?

 

Blessings

Love,

 

Zenbob