Damn,.. I am totally impressed with dis write up,and I am happy to say I am on course . Shout out to my friend Mr Emeka Akano owner of JARA software he was listed on Forbes first 5 Young African up coming billionaires Last year. JARA app is already on Google play store.....watch out for mine . Repn PH taking Over Lagos.
cloudgoddess: In the US and the UK there has been a modern adaptation of Buddhism that moves the focus from the supernatural symbolism of the traditional religion, to the proven psychological benefits and personal growth that can be attained through Buddhist style meditation. The movement/pratice is called "mindfulness meditation", and there are now many phone apps, websites, programs, and books that teach it. It is actually quite simple to learn, no chanting or hypnosis, there are no dogma or supernatural beliefs required to practice it and the benefits are quite astonishing.
There have been several studies done backing its merits, and its application to many human woes like anxiety, depression, PTSD, even bad habits and addiction. This study discovered significantly increased gray matter in the brains of long-term meditators compared to non-meditators. Gray matter makes up the parts of the brain responsible for self control, emotion regulation, executive function, and overall happiness/peace of mind: "Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density" http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3004979/
A quick google search of things like, "mindfulness meditation benefits", "mindfulness meditation research", "mindfulness anxiety/depression/stress" will pull up many hits of current and reputable web pages discussing the practice.
I started a year ago and I have to say it has truly changed my experience of life. I'm more in control of my reactions - rather than being controlled by emotional whims, I have learned to obtain a stillness of mind that allows me to pause more easily before making decisions. I am able to metaphorically "step out" of racing thoughts and emotions, and experience them from a less consumed point of view. My stress is down, my enjoyment of life is up, I can now see fears, upset, insecurities and worries for what they are - temporary events of the mind, nothing to fear or be controlled by. I am able to experience gratitude and compassion much more readily.
It's been referred to by experts as "a workout for your mind" -- you are gradually training your brain to be more focused, more "in the now" rather than consumed by habitual intrusive thought, more aware of your physical, emotional, and mental experiences, more in control of your actions, and less judgmental of yourself and others. Over time it becomes easier and more natural, and you begin to relate to your experiences in a way that leaves you so much less stressed, worked up, and battered by life.
In this video Dan Harris, agnostic-atheist meditator, newscaster, and author discusses the practical benefits and science. "Dan Harris: Hack Your Brain's Default Mode with Meditation"
It's certainly something worth checking out, especially for any atheist or skeptic who's looking for a reliable, proven path towards self-growth that's not polluted by dogma.