Abstract

Meditation is clearly moving into the mainstream. Evidence of this is the August 4, 2003, cover story in Time magazine which explored the research on the physiological and psychological aspects of meditation. Since then, numerous stories have been published on the scientific findings relating to the benefits of meditation. Recent research conducted by scientists at the Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin at Madison demonstrated that meditation activates the part of the brain that is associated with positive emotions. 1 A study released in March 2004 by the Medical College of Georgia found that two fifteen minute meditation sessions daily (one at school, one at home) helped teenagers lower their blood pressure. 2 This study also reported other favorable outcomes for the teens who meditated, including decreased absenteeism and a reduction in behavioral problems. Meditation is becoming more common in American classrooms. Some middle schools in Detroit have practiced meditation for more than six years. 3 A recent article in Barron’s highlighted a plan by parents to propose that transcendental meditation be offered in New York City public schools. 4 Interest in this topic is likely to grow as meditation increases in popularity. The number of adults in the United States who meditate on a regular basis has doubled in the past ten years,