A flood of emails from the world of meditation has landed in my inbox lately, and I’m slowly catching up. Two in particular stood out – positioned almost at opposite ends of the spectrum of this ancient practice. One explores how Western mindfulness could be enriched by more deeply integrating traditional Buddhist principles; the other looks to artificial intelligence to enhance our understanding of the brain on meditation. Together, they offer a fascinating glimpse into both the roots and the future of meditation.
1. What More Can the West Learn From Buddhism?:
This article caught my eye and resonates with my own experience. Over the years, I’ve had several opportunities to hear presentations by Dr. Nicholas Van Dam, Director of the Contemplative Studies Centre at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne. His work often reflects on the growing distance between contemporary mindfulness practices and their Buddhist origins. In one of his articles (published 2017) that I keep on file, he notes that we often use the term “mindfulness” without truly understanding what it means – an observation that continues to shape the way I think about meditation in the West.
The article today, “Mindfulness-Based Interventions: What More Can the West Learn From Buddhism? A Fieldwork Study” explores how Western mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) could benefit from a deeper integration of traditional Buddhist principles. Through fieldwork and qualitative analysis, the authors highlight how elements like compassion, ethical conduct, and interconnectedness, central to Buddhist philosophy, are often diluted or overlooked in Western adaptations. Their argument is that by re-engaging with these roots, MBIs could evolve into more holistic, culturally grounded approaches to wellbeing.
You can read more here: Mindfulness-based interventions: what more can the West learn from Buddhism? A fieldwork study and from Dr. Van Dam, What is mindfulness? Nobody really knows, and that’s a problem
2. Meditate For Brain Health + AI Research:
In his Forbes article, “Meditate For Brain Health: AI Research And Science Promote This Solution,” John Werner discusses emerging research that underscores the benefits of meditation, breathwork, and relaxation techniques in reducing stress and neuroinflammation. The article highlights how artificial intelligence is being used to deepen our understanding of the brain, revealing that practices like meditation can enhance neurological control and potentially prevent cognitive decline. Drawing on insights from Dr. Balachundhar Subramaniam, a Harvard-affiliated professor of anesthesiology and a leading researcher at the intersection of meditation, brain health, and neuroscience, the piece emphasises the importance of awareness and intentional practices in improving life experiences, and how integrating these techniques into daily routines can support better brain health and overall well-being.
Dr. Balachundhar Subramaniam is a Harvard-affiliated professor of anesthesiology and founded the Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet to explore consciousness, cognition, and compassion through scientific inquiry. Dr. Subramaniam has conducted studies on advanced yogic meditation practices, such as the Samyama Sadhana program developed by Sadhguru, demonstrating that these practices can reduce brain age by nearly six years and improve cognitive resilience. His work bridges ancient contemplative traditions with modern neuroscience, providing evidence that meditation can mitigate stress, enhance sleep quality, and slow cognitive decline.
You can read more here: Forbes: Meditate For Brain Health: AI Research And Science Promote This Solution
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‘Meditation in the News’ is my attempt to build a regular habit of reading, digesting and sharing some of the (many) articles and press releases that I receive daily about meditation and meditation research. I hope you enjoy it!
Read past editions of: ‘Meditation in the News‘