Meditation Can Wish You Well, Study Says tests suggest compassion and empathy can be learned traits
By Amanda Gardner
THURSDAY, March 27 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that qualities the world desperately needs more of -- love, kindness and compassion -- are indeed teachable. Imaging technology shows that people who practice meditation that focuses on kindness and compassion actually undergo changes in areas of the brain that make them more in tune to what others are feeling. "Potentially one can train oneself to behave in a way which is more benevolent and altruistic," said study co-author Antoine Lutz, an associate scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Unfortunately, that's contrary to my meditation experience back when I was practicing zen sitting. It made me jumpy and irritable (OK more irritable than normal), which is why I ultimately gave up zen. But there's good news. Puppy training has changed my life. We have just started taking Neesa to puppy class and it reminds me that positive thinking leads to positive feeling.
Puppy class is all about positive feedback. Catching your dog doing the right thing and praising her. Isn't that what we all want? Isn't that really the way to raise happy and responsible dogs, horses or children? And it makes you feel good instead of jumpy and irritable (OK less irritable than normal).
You can train your brain to be happy, to see things positively and to expect the best, even when the worst happens. The first step: turn off the radio.
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