Short-term Meditation Changes Brain

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital had meditation study participants take part in an eight-week meditation program requiring only 30 minutes of unstructured meditation per day.  Brain scans conducted at the end of the test period showed that even within this brief span of time, changes in certain parts of the brain could be detected.  The brain scans showed that participants’ hippocampal regions had increased, suggesting an increase in capacity for memory and learning.  Also, the density of the amygdala decreased, implying a decrease in stress and anxiety.  Such studies demonstrate that the brain is highly malleable and readily responds to even short-term, light meditational discipline.

Source: http://io9.com/5741192/even-a-little-meditation-can-change-the-structure-of-your-brain

Yoga Sutras: Subtle Attainments

The subtler attainments come with birth or are attained through herbs (ausadhi), mantra, austerities (tapas) or concentration (samadhi).

— Patanjali, Yoga Sutras, 4.1

Yoga Sutras, 1.12-1.14

One’s turbulent thought patterns are controlled and eventually mastered through practice and non-attachment. Practice means selecting the right actions and applying the right efforts to bring a stable advanced state. When such practice is done consistently and with devotion, it becomes a firmly rooted, solid foundation for further attainments.

— Patanjali, Yoga Sutras 1.12-1.14