The Neuroscience of Meditation, Mindfulness, and Compassion

In times of stress, anxiety, and isolation finding effective strategies to understand our emotions and how we relate to the world at large often brings comfort. Mindfulness, meditation, and compassion have long been championed as helpful strategies but how do they impact our well being, if at all? Fadel Zeidan joins William Mobley to discuss his work applying scientific methods to these practices to quantify and discover how and why they work. [4/2020] [Show ID: 35824]

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[cursedtodie]

After waking up from a coma that left me a quadriplegic, I unconsciously practiced meditation, mindfulness and when I recovered well enough to walk and talk, I practiced compassion as well. I wonder if that is one of the reasons I completely recovered, something which no doctor expected I'd do.

[adamjones]

I have had depression for over twenty years of my life, half of my life I struggled which affected my education, the type of job and the lack of intelligence and confidence. I started meditation for six months and for two years I studied and learned very well and my intelligence increased, I stopped doing it, I went back towards zero, lazy, miserable, low moods, depressed, unable to succeed at anything, I started to meditate again only 30 mins in total half in morning and half at night, only now I realise it's practice for life and it has benefits that you can't get from anti depressants

[JamieBarrington]

Imagine if meditation was taught in schools or by parents around the world. I wonder if we would have less wars. I know there would be less fighting among individuals. The things we could accomplish...

[sugarfree]

I started daily practice 11 years ago. I've kept it up because right from day one I felt better, in the ways described in this film. It really does work, and the extra bonus is that the beneficial effects are cumulative.

[FortunateBehroz]

A fascinating study confirms that after an eight-week course of mindfulness practice, the brain’s “fight or flight” center, the amygdala, shrinks. The amygdala, associated with fear and emotion, is involved in the initiation of the body’s response to stress.⠀
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As the amygdala shrinks, the prefrontal cortex – associated with higher-order brain functions such as awareness, concentration and decision-making – becomes thicker.⠀
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The “functional connectivity” between these regions – i.e. how often they are activated together – also changes. The connection between the amygdala and the rest of the brain gets weaker, while the connections between areas associated with attention and concentration get stronger. The result? Our more primal responses to stress seem to be superseded by more thoughtful ones during mindfulness practices.

[krishnanunnimadathil]

Empathy and compassion - two things the world desperately needs. Great work!

[BridgitteJacksonBuckley]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video. What Dr. Zeidan describes about meditation and mindfulness having an impact on the brain of those unemployed, and looking for work, is precisely what I experienced. The multi-layered benefits I experienced as a result of choosing meditation to navigate extreme crisis in my life were profound.

[SpiritualMeditationOm]

Meditation has lot of benefits. its great that u are popularizing it

[rcjacksonbrighton]

To experience first hand is to know.
There is a state you can live in... a practiced state, that will give you the feeling ancient books have spoken of. A feeling of open-ness, spacious-ness, compassion, love and expansion. Don't take anyones word for it. Be it, find it and explore it yourself.
These wonderful educated men and women who like to prove with science, the benefits of mindfulness and meditation, do so with good hearts.
It seems strange the need to prove these things. But, that's the funny part of life.
Don't take anyones word for it. Find this place within yourself, for yourself. Explore in a way that's right for you. If your intention is there, you will find the peace you are looking for xxx

[Miguel-nrkh]

Thank you Dr.Mobley and Dr.Fadel for the straightforward information. After some time practicing meditation, I have sought to understand the process that has brought so many benefits. Research is very important for clarifying the technique. Greetings from Brazil

[NEPALIRIDERSinCALIFORNIA]

Thank you Dr.Mobley and Dr.Fadel for this mindful of information. I really enjoyed learning and understanding the part of Meditation. I am from Himalaya, and the impact of Meditation is losing its interest from the youngsters. Even though, Its roots date back to Hinduism, and meditation is in integral part of the Buddhist religion. But it has been practiced, in one form or another, in virtually every religion in recorded history. I really enjoyed it.

[Maddie]

It good to know that more studies are being done on these alternatives types of treatment because there are so many people suffering that need something that it’s free and that can help them heal.

[SomosLaNuevaEra]

Música curativa para Atraer el Amor y la Felicidad a tu vida‚ eleva tu Espíritu y Sana tus Emociones diariamente ❤❤❤️

[jamilajones]

Thank you for the lecture and super thanks for the link to live sessions!!!! 🙏

[naggdog]

Thank you! that will help me for my speaking. Namasté!

[m.venkadesen]

I'm so grateful to know and practice meditation on age 16 ✨

[peterkephart]

Fantastic. Thank you for this video and for the knowledge you are sharing.

[mr.anindyabanerjee]

Dear Sir, we are enlightened to learn your presentation on Neuropsychological correlates of Mindfulness. Am also eager to know what effect does it have on GABA'rgic receptors.

[SpeedEchseftChris]

Remind me, if one can get the chance to volunteer for your study. Would love to read more about this.

[John]

This is the epitome of excellence. I read a book with similar content, and it was the epitome of excellence. "Mindful Mastery: Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World" by Kyle Ash