Meditation changes the brain: insights from tibetan monks

Posted on 16/01/2025

Meditation really modifies the activity of our brain, managing to influence thoughts and the state of consciousness, this is the conclusion reached by scientists from the University of Pisa who flew to Tibet to study the brain waves of Buddhist monks

Table of contents

Meditation has the power to influence brain function so profoundly that it can change our state of consciousness. To better understand this phenomenon, scientists studied the brains of Tibetan monks. Here’s how they did it and what they discovered.

Years of study to master meditation

In Tibet, the Sera Jey Monastery is not only a home for Buddhist monks but also one of the oldest monastic universities of Tibetan Buddhism, with centuries of tradition.

Monks at Sera Jey dedicate around 20 years of rigorous study to develop the ability to meditate for up to 8 hours a day.

Their daily routine includes four two-hour meditation sessions, totaling approximately 2,920 hours annually.

This extraordinary dedication makes them ideal subjects for studying what happens in the brain during meditation. In 2018, researchers from the University of Pisa began a study involving these monks, and their findings are now shedding light on the secrets of meditation.

Different meditations, different effects on the brain

The researchers focused on two specific types of meditation practiced by the Sera Jey monks:

Concentrative meditation, which allows practitioners to achieve a cognitive state of awareness free from content and discursive thought.
Analytical meditation, which involves focusing the mind on an object of reflection, such as a philosophical or moral concept, and analyzing it from multiple perspectives.

How scientists examined the monks’ brains

To study the monks’ brains, scientists used electroencephalography (EEG). This non-invasive method measures brain activity using electrodes placed on the scalp. The data collected represents different brain waves, which correlate with various cognitive processes such as memory, decision-making, and mental states like fatigue or mental load.

By analyzing these EEG readings, the researchers gained insight into the cognitive and mental states associated with meditation.

The brain during meditation

The study revealed that meditation does indeed alter brain activity. It suppresses irrelevant stimuli and distractions, enabling a heightened focus on self-awareness. This aligns with the purpose of meditation: achieving a state of inner peace and well-being.

The findings highlight how meditation facilitates mental clarity and promotes overall tranquility.

The research, titled “Report from a Tibetan Monastery: EEG Neural Correlates of Concentrative and Analytical Meditation,” was published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Psychology.

The article draws upon studies published and recommendations from international institutions and/or experts. We do not make claims in the medical-scientific field and report the facts as they are. Sources are indicated at the end of each article.

The surprising story of kangaroos living near Paris

Rebecca Manzi

Posted on 15/01/2025

Dozens of kangaroos are found in the Rambouillet forest after 7 specimens donated to the keeper of a small zoo nearby managed to escape and reproduce

A few miles from Paris, the Rambouillet Forest harbors an unlikely and intriguing secret: a colony of kangaroos. It’s surreal to imagine these Australian animals thriving among the oaks and pines of a French forest, but their story is just one of the most remarkable examples of adaptation and unpredictability that nature can offer.

How it all began

The story takes it back to the 1970s when the Basel Zoo’s director donated seven kangaroos to his friend in charge of a small zoological park in Emancé, near the forest. In truth, the management was far from severe. The animals, never recorded and rarely looked after, simply broke out into the Rambouillet Forest nearby.

Thanks to favorable climatic conditions and abundant nutrition, the kangaroos not only survived but also reproduced, forming a stable and thriving population. Nowadays, these unusual marsupials are occasionally spotted by visitors and local residents, which stirs curiosity and amazement.

Monitored as a non-native species

However, their presence is not without consequences. As a non-native species, kangaroos pose a potential threat to the local ecosystem, potentially disrupting native flora and fauna. For this reason, forest authorities, along with wildlife experts, continuously monitor the population to prevent ecological imbalances.

Despite the risks, Rambouillet’s kangaroos have become quite a sensation. To see animals adapt so readily to a far-from-natural environment is a jarring reflection of animal hardiness. Their case has brought attention to at least two valuable issues: exotic wildlife management and environmental impact caused by invasive species.

For those who would like to have a very special experience, visiting the Rambouillet Forest means the opportunity to see these amazing animals in their natural environment. It is, however, important to respect the rules of the reserve and not approach them too closely to avoid any accidents, either for the kangaroos or for the visitors.

The story of the Rambouillet Forest kangaroos is a reminder of nature’s unpredictability and wonder, and how important the role of humans is in maintaining ecological balance.