Soldiers And Meditation? We Live In Interesting Times
The United States Army are recommending something old and new
. It's nothing short of an unlikely marriage, but one it seems that could benefit all involved. The U.S Government are forking out 4 million to research alternative and more effective ways to relieve soldiers of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Things such as mindfulness meditation.
Major Victor Won, (who is Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence) has shared his view that; mindfulness meditation is a simple but ancient approach to living that our comparatively young western medicine has begun to recognise as a powerful tool for dealing with stress, illness and other medical or psychological conditions.
Major Won said, "Many psychotherapists around the world have applied mindfulness, treating various psychological diagnoses such as PTSD, depression and even personality disorders." He advised that it's "through finding peace within and clarity that you see that you are not the thoughts or the emotions that bind you and take you away into suffering".
Around 17% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have some form of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, estimated by a congressional study.
Statistics assembled last summer point to it being approximately 3000 who have suffered traumatic brain injury. 35 Billon is a rough estimate of costs for treating these ailments made by a Columbia University report.
We are on the brink of an interesting time for science and meditation. The 2 which used to be at odds now seem to be slowly falling in love with each other.
"Meditation is proven to be the serene way to get smarter," reported the Daily Mail not so long ago. In depth scientific studies have found that there is more white matter connecting the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) to the rest of the brain in meditators.
Tests point to the possibility that the ACC has the active role when it comes to a humans ability to handle emotion in a healthy way. It's been inked with motivation; problem solving ability and ability to notice errors if and when they occur to make sure they don't re-occur. So meditators being more adept at achieving and setting goals seems to be fast becoming common day scientific fact. Almost as like a gateway between the rational and emotional parts of the brain.
There has also been considerable studies that note a larger Prefrontal Cortex is common in meditators too. This brain region has been identified as being related to complex cognitive behaviors; personality expression, decision making and moderating behaviour. This area of the brain is thought to be the center for all thought and actions in accordance with internal goals. It's connection with the rest of the brain seems to be a big part of what makes a human aware.
So in training awareness it seems that ability is physically exercised too, much like doing push-ups improves your upper body strength.
Many authors have indicated an integral link between a persons personality and the functions of the prefrontal cortex. Disorders, such as Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and ADHD, have been related to a dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex.
Results have been particularly prominent in individuals that do some form of holistic exercise as well as meditation.
The West Point-based Army Center for Enhanced Performance (ACEP) - one of the highest levels of the military is now recognising the importance of the mind-body connection. The role of ACEP is to teach soldiers how to build confidence, set goals and channel their energy; previously using tools like performance psychology. Praise from powers that be has led to a 3 year expansion to 9 army bases!
Perhaps recent scientific discoveries are part of what is creating the American governments interest and willingness to delve deeper in to these avenues.
A quote from Albert Einstein to finish; being as we're talking new science meets old science.
"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education."
What a man, to come up with that one. : )
by: Matthew Cleary
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