See all content
Topics That May Interest You
Contemplative practices of some form are found in all of the major faith traditions. Scientists are only now beginning to understand how meditation produces positive effects. It is easy to start a contemplative practice, and with time and practice you may find that the benefits are transforming.
Blogs, Articles & Videos (Recent - Older)
See more:
Zen Bite: Taming the Bull
|
Zen Bite: The Road to Enlightenment
|
Additional Resources
-
National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
Complementary and alternative medicine is a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. -
The American Institute of Stress
Stress is difficult for scientists to define because it is a subjective sensation associated with varied symptoms that differ for each of us. In addition, stress is not always a synonym for distress. Situations like a steep roller coaster ride that cause fear and anxiety for some can prove highly pleasurable for others. -
The Tree of Contemplative Practices
The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society diagrams contemplative practices as a tree to show the connections between different traditions. It can be purchased as a poster or downloaded and printed for free. -
Meditation: An Introduction
The National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine provides this guide on meditation.
Five things you should know about Meditation
Neuroscientists have discovered that meditation is associated with increased activity in brain regions that are important in learning, decision making, happiness, and optimism
Although every faith tradition has some form of contemplative practice, meditation can be practiced separately from any spiritual tradition
Meditation helps develop mindfulness: open-minded and nonjudgmental attention in the present moment
People who meditate report that they regularly spend more time savoring pleasures
Most people who practice meditation say that it works best as a daily practice, just like physical exercise; meditating five minutes daily is often more effective than 30 minutes once in a while
This Emotional Life is a co-production of the NOVA/WGBH Science Unit and Vulcan Productions, Inc. A Film by Kunhardt McGee Productions. ©/™ 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation and Vulcan Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This Web site was produced for PBS Online by elephants & ants.
Funding for This Emotional Life is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Public Television Viewers. Additional funding provided by the University of Phoenix and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
