How Mindfulness stabilises our Emotions

By Desmond Yeoh SC

In September 2017, we posted the article ‘Using the breath to neutralise negative emotions’. Recently, I discovered book which explains this scientifically.

Richard Davidson, a psychologist at the University of Winconsin, measured the changes in people who were undergoing training in mindfulness. He discovered significant shifts in the brain activity in the prefrontal area of the brain, which generates positive feelings and reduces negative emotions. After merely two months of training in mindfulness, the test subjects displayed significant activity in the prefrontal brain area not just during meditation but also while they are just simply sitting at rest[1].

Mindfulness is the foundation of all yogic and Buddhist traditions. It is like the alphabets used in a language. Without mastering and familiarising ourselves with the alphabets or characters, we cannot truly master the language. All meditation and yogic techniques aim to strengthen our mindfulness; and the increased mindfulness enables us to go deeper into our meditation and yogic practices. They work together in a perpetual loop that moves us progressively on our spiritual evolution. Without strengthening our ability to be aware of the present moment, we will not be able to bring positive changes in our life. Mindfulness is not only essential for spiritual progress, it is very necessary for our day to day well-being.

[1] Tara Bennet Goleman, Emotional Alchemy,  New York Times Bestseller

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