While meditation used to be for only devout Buddhists, it may be useful for everyday students, according to a recent study by UW- Madison professors and scientists. Released just in time for finals, the study indicates a link between meditation and the ability to focus attention in other aspects of life.
According to a University Communications release, the results were found by measuring the brain activity of a volunteer group as its members tried to focus on numbers while distractions flashed across a screen. Led by postdoctoral fellow Heleen Slagter and UW-Madison professor of psychology and psychiatry Richard Davidson, researchers found that there was less brain activity for those who participated in a three-month long-mediation training.
""Meditation really involves the self-regulation of attention,"" said Richard Davidson, UW- Madison professor of psychology and psychiatry. ""It is about the mind being more mindful of your consciousness. We found meditation improved peoples' ability to pay moment-to-moment attention. What it suggests is that qualities like attention, as well as emotional qualities like happiness, can be attained by meditation.""
While this is a new idea in the world of science, Buddhists have been using meditation to improve concentration for years. Buddhist monk Gen, or teacher, Kelsang Drubwang held a meditation Tuesday evening in the St. Francis House, 1001 University Ave., and discussed the benefits of this ancient practice.
""[During meditation] you are specifically developing mindfulness and the ability to maintain attention on one object for a long period of time,"" Drubwang said. ""Your mindfulness is like a muscle that is never used. So when students are taking finals, they're really not prepared to do it.""
In meditating, focusing on one object becomes very easy and not stressing becomes very easy,"" he continued. ""Now we've got iPods, TVs and so many distractions. I'm not saying these things are bad, but they make the mind very weak, and meditation is a way to make the mind very strong.""
Davidson said meditation can greatly benefit college students who have many stimuli pulling their attention, as well as those with ADHD.
""We don't have enough scientific evidence yet, but we have enough evidence that meditation is worth trying,"" Davidson said. ""It may help the dependence ADHD patients have on medications.""
While concentration is an important effect of meditation, Davidson said most importantly is the effect it can have on relationships. He said ""being able to notice changes in body and voice will facilitate social interactions.""
Drubwang agreed the benefits of meditation are vast.
""If you don't like it, you do not have to continue,"" Drubwang said. ""I have never met someone who has tried it and didn't think it was helpful.""
