Comments on: #231 – The Meditating Brain with Richard Davidson

By: Jugney

Jugney — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:23:01 +0000

Dr Dave! I graduated with a degree in Psychology from Sonoma State just a few years ago, but now find myself living close to Madison. And I also practice Tibetan meditation daily.

As it happens, I’ve met Dr. Davidson (Richie as everyone calls him) several times through a yoga center I work for. I had to laugh when you commented of being nervous around him – I still just cannot relax around him, because I am so in awe of him and what’s he’s doing for the scientific recognition of meditation. This despite the fact that I’m somewhat in the “inner circle” of his yoga friends, having recently paddled down the Wisconsin river in a Sunday gathering with a couple dozen others and he and his wife.

The most interesting thing I’d like to add here is that he and the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds are partnering with us to begin researching the effects of a new yoga program for people with Autism, called Spectrum Yoga Therapy, which is extremely exciting. This area may soon be another thing that he becomes known for if the data shows what we think it will.

By: Carolina Gonzalez

Carolina Gonzalez — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 18:22:20 +0000

I really enjoyed listening to this episode. I find this topic particularly interesting and fascinating.

I would love to be consistent and stick with the daily practice of meditation but as Mr Davidson said is so challenging to keep that.

The benefits that each person can get with an active meditation are definitely worth it to try it and do it everyday. I\’m going to take the challenge and take responsibility to shape better my own brain.

Thank you Mr. Van Nuys for this interview.

By: Lynn Fishman RN

Lynn Fishman RN — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:38:24 +0000

I have practiced meditation for many years. In my nursing practice I have also assisted others to relax and promote optimal mental states in order to navigate the challenge of illness.
I agree with Dr Davidson that one specific practice is not better than the rest. In fact, it may turn out that different combinations of practices may indeed be the answer, depending on the needs of the individual at any given time.
The key to the assessment of any practice really comes down to experiential results; to the ability of a practionner to achieve those desired brainwave patterns and nervous system response that induces deep relaxation and insight.
It is exciting to see that science is now merging with ancient wisdom to format a new view of how meditation can train the brain and promote greater health and well being.
I think that we are at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding the benefits that complimentary practices like meditation have on the body, brain, and mind.

By: John Knight

John Knight — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:59:29 +0000

I thought Richard’s comments about Binaural Frequencies were quite fair. As someone investigating these myself, I’m often annoyed by the bold sweeping claims (and even guarantees) made by some people and companies, such as help to quit smoking, and other baseless claims. Such claims so early on in our understanding really does Binaural Frequencies a disservice.

In my experience (and keep in mind that I’d consider myself an advocate of Binaural Frequencies), I’ve found the efficacy to be almost random, with many people feeling no discernible effect, others experiencing meditative-like bliss, and some people have bad physiological reactions. So far I have no real idea what common factors lies between these groups of people, and about the only thing I’ve noticed is those who react often have an “N – iNtuituve” typology. But I’m sure even in the coming months I’ll come across something that blows that idea out of the water!