Researchers at the University of Montreal have conducted a study which suggests that people who frequently meditate gain the brain potential to control their perception of physical pain.

While examining the brain images of individuals that were introduced to a painful heat stimulus, the team of scientists found decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus regions in the brains of people who regularly practiced meditation. These brain sections have been known to control cognition, emotion and memory, respectively.

"These results challenge current concepts of mental control, which is thought to be achieved by increasing cognitive activity or effort. Instead, we suggest it is possible to self-regulate in a more passive manner, by 'turning off' certain areas of the brain, which in this case are normally involved in processing pain," said Joshua Grant, the study's lead author.

The findings suggest that meditators have the ability to disengage parts of their brains when it is necessary, like at times when they must endure pain.

This research supports philosopher Ilchi Lee's beliefs on Brain Education and its ability to help people take control over their brains for the betterment of mankind.  

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These days, people look to many sources for fulfillment and satisfaction. Whether it be music, food, television or sex, everyday existence can be a constant search for satisfaction for those who have yet to discover their life purpose.

However, many people fail to realize that they already possess the keys to satisfaction and fulfillment. Practicing meditation can help them to discover this.

Sharon Salzberg, a California-based meditation instructor, told the Los Angeles Times that far too many people rely on others for fulfillment and that they should instead look within themselves. Through this process they can discover the desires that truly lie within their hearts and learn how to go about pursuing them.

"We all want to be happy. We need to expand the notion of what that means, to make it bigger and wiser," she told the news source.

For Ilchi Lee, the practice of meditation is more than a way to relieve stress. It is a way to connect with the energy that surrounds everything. By tapping into this source, individuals may be able to feel more fulfilled in their daily lives.
 

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Parents often take for granted the mental health of their children. However, this can lead many possible consequences, as untreated stress, anxiety and depression can interfere with the pursuit of a life dream. However, new findings suggest that meditation may help many children overcome these problems.

A group of researchers from Johns Hopkins University evaluated the effects of a 12-week meditation and yoga program on a group of fourth and fifth graders. According to the Baltimore Sun, they found that children who participated in the program were able to concentrate better in class and spent less time ruminating on negative thoughts, which can sometimes lead to depression.

The researchers said that their findings are particularly important for children who growing up in large cities, where there is a higher prevalence of stress and mental health issues.

"Living in an inner-city environment with high crime and high violence, there are just so many kids here who have chronic stress," Tamar Mendelson, one of the lead researchers, told the news source.

The findings support Ilchi Lee's teachings on meditation. He has said that it is one of the most effective paths to a clear mind and balanced connection between the spirit and body.
 

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Earlier in the month, news out of North Africa was encouraging, and seemed to offer hope of furthering the cause of world peace. Following the peaceful revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, it looked as though there may be hope for people who want to unite in a spirit of peace and tranquility to form a better society.

However, the days of good have quickly evaporated, as similar protests in the nearby countries of Libya and Bahrain have been met with blood resistance from government officials who view the uprisings as assaults on their power.

The most recent estimates from Libya indicate that as many as 1,000 protesters have been killed by government forces, according to Reuters. There have also been reports of officials hiring mercenary troops from neighboring countries to help put down the rebellion.

While the news is certainly troubling, it provides another example of the need for leaving behind the labels and barriers that divide us and to live as one. Ilchi Lee says that this is the only sustainable path to peace.
 

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The benefits of meditation may be far reaching. In addition to being an effective vehicle for achieving personal growth, it may also help practitioners improve their memory and sense of self while increasing empathy and limiting the effects of stress.

This is according to a team of researchers from Children's Hospital in Boston. They recently completed a study that showed that individuals who participate in an eight-week meditation course experience physical changes in certain areas of their brains.

"Although the practice of meditation is associated with a sense of peacefulness and physical relaxation, practitioners have long claimed that meditation also provides cognitive and psychological benefits that persist throughout the day," said Sara Lazar, who led the study.

The findings may indicate that practicing meditation can be important for individuals who are interested in unlocking their full brain potential. Another researcher said that the brain is extremely plastic, and that the study showed how meditation can lead to improvements in memory, sense of self and stress.

Ilchi Lee has said that practicing meditation is an important method of spiritual growth. The new findings help support this idea.
 

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Most of us are afraid of loneliness and do many things to not feel the feeling. Ilchi Lee, in this poem from his lecture, presents a strongly positive case for experiencing loneliness, solitude and wholeness as a way of learning how to experience the truth:

You will find great truth in deep solitude and loneliness.
But for those who are immersed with personal desires,
no words of truth will sink into their hearts.

There are many different kinds of loneliness.
If possible, I would like to have one
that gathers in the hearts of those with high will.

The loneliness of people who shut themselves
in their small room
and complain about the world
is cheap.

But the loneliness of those
who confront their lives magnificently
is beautiful.
The people who have felt loneliness thoroughly,
who have been alone completely,
can feel what wholeness is.

Only those who have felt wholeness in complete solitude
can find truth in everything.

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Typically creativity is viewed as a mystery. Where does it come from? How can we call upon it when we need it? Do I have enough? How can I get more? In his positive, can-do way, Ilchi Lee, in this poem from a lecture, describes the power and process of true creativity. There is no mystery. Creativity is in our control.

One of humanity’s big joys is that of creating.
Those with a small power for creating easily get frustrated when facing difficulties.
They can’t see there is hope.

Those who’ve made up their minds to create better lives
no matter how difficult a situation they might have,
and those who know that the power of creating comes from inside,
never get discouraged with hardships or difficulties.
They move forward boldly with their own standards and plans.

What we should not forget is
the fact that true creativity
comes from will and vision of our life.
When things don’t go as we want,
we need to have time to review our ‘will’ with our mind emptied
instead of only focusing on methods of resolution.

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What is reality? Is it what we experience with our five senses, nothing more — where everything is distinct and separate? Or is there a reality to be experienced beyond the five senses – where all is connected and whole? Using the metaphor of the ocean, Ilchi Lee in a lecture gives us a clear and vivid explanation of reality:

It is difficult to define the ocean with a word.
It is even more difficult to explain it as an independent thing
separating it from other existence.

Is the ocean where water surges?
Fish swimming in the ocean, sea birds singing long,
tides running high, golden glow on the horizon,
a small fishing boat dropping a line…

All of these are a part of the ocean.

All things in the universe are making the ocean.

It is only possible in our head
to think of it separately, by pieces.

It is not like that in reality.

We are already a part of the universe.
It is impossible to imagine the universe existing separately from us.

We are in the universe and the universe is in us.

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It is not necessary to laugh because you have something to laugh about, but rather that when you laugh first, you can make yourself feel happy. But how to go about this counter-intuitive process? From a lecture, Ilchi Lee laid out these instructions in his poem, True Joy, for taking the laughter initiative: Right now, at this moment, slowly exhale a deep breath, let a smile climb up your lips and let your eyes shine with the truth in your heart, and say out loud, “From now on, I choose to laugh.”

At first, you might feel awkward and your face might be drawn.
But please say it with all your heart.

Then your mind will be silent like a lake,
And you can feel something arising like a morning mist deep inside.
You will soon find out that it is true joy.

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When I breathe, I share love with the empty space When asked where the Creator exists
I say it is inside this empty space.

The empty space enters me
And it becomes as big as the heavens inside of me.
I become the heavens
I become the empty space.

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