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An unlikely turn of events has occurred. The American Government have decided to invest around $4 million in research to see if there are better and more cost-effective ways to help soldiers cope with high stress levels and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The United States Army is recommending something outside the usual medical box to its soldiers in Iraq … mindfulness meditation.
According to Major Victor Won, (who is Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence); 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.
According to statistics assembled last summer approximately 3000 have suffered traumatic brain injury. Costs of treating these ailments could pan out to as much as $35 billion, guessed by a Columbia University report.
We are on the brink of an interesting time for science and meditation. Which used to being 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. Scientists from recent in depth studies have found that those who meditate versus those that don't build-up more white matter connecting the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) to the rest of the brain.
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 it seems we have possible scientific evidence that meditators can better control their actions to achieve goals. 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. The activity of this brain region is considered to be an orchestration of thoughts 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. As the result of praise it has expanded to 9 army bases in only 3 years!
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.
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Matthew is a man saved by the very teachings he shares. Giving him a huge zeal and drive for sharing the teachings that worked for him. Many of these teachings were taught to him directly by a Head Disciple of a Grand Master of Holistic Health Arts; like Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation.
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