Dr. Zoran Josipovic, a research neuroscientist and adjunct professor at New York University, has been examining the rearranging of brains for about 3 years now. What is more unusual about the study is that his study subjects are Buddhist nuns and monks. 
There seems to be two separate neural networks in the brain, the intrinsic and the extrinsic. The intrinsic network is active when we consider ourselves; the extrinsic network is employed when we play sports and interact with others. These networks are rarely active simultaneously; when one is primary, the other one is almost dormant. The intrinsic (default) network was thought to be active when the subject had no task to perform, but the data now suggests that it is highly active when the subject thinks about itself.
These two networks were serendipitously found by Dr. Marcus Raichle, when he noticed the brain activity changed when his subjects became bored with the tasks they were performing. He found the brain was replete with activity and not dormant, as was previously thought. (All these results were found by examination with an fMRI, functional magnetic resonance imaging, device.) Dr. Raichle believes that network is involved with more than just boredom-filled activities, and may provide valuable information about psychological disorders, such as autism spread disorders, depression, and Alzheimer’s.
Dr Josipovic is seeking to determine how the effect of meditation and state of “oneness” (“tranquility”) manifests itself. His work is really a study of attention and awareness. First, the normal baseline is determined, and then the subject effects various activities (such as watching a movie and resting) while still monitored via fMRI. The study’s 20 subjects, who are experts in the Tibetan Meditation practices, are then requested to meditate (in the fMRI machine!), where additional measurements are made. Dr. Josipovic has found tha both neural networks (intrinsic and extrinsic) are active simultaneously during meditation. He expects to submit his work for publication soon.
Juniors in my college did a study on finding a link between religious practices and their effect on peace and feelings of tranquility. Irrespective of the religious practices (their subjects were Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Sikhs) any amount of religious practices made the subjects feel at peace, they felt the same after Yoga, or any relaxation techniques. Though there wasn’t anything to prove a direct link or the direct effect but the influence was definitely pleasant. This neural network study sounds interesting and maybe something which can be interrelated with the study, would love to know more.
Hajra recently posted..RENTING TROUBLE!
Pretty cool undergraduate research, Hajra. The real work needs fancy equipment, so unless one can get access to fMRI or similar devices, it stays anecdotal. We’ll have to see the next series of tests the good Doctor performs.
Thanks for dropping in.
Roy
I have tried meditation, which helps me relaxed my mind and body. It is fascinating to know that the doctor discovered certain brain activity during meditating. I hope doctors could find a better way to stimulate or discover innovative ideas about meditating.
Dorothy recently posted..8 Fat Loss Tips
Dorothy- thanks for visiting and commenting. My guess is as this work gets published and advanced, that is exactly what will happen. Keep on meditating!
Roy
Thanks for sharing Roy. It will interesting to see the results of the study.
Janine Ripper recently posted..Monday Photo-day- A Tourist in Your Own Town
Hi Roy,
Great insights. I poked around a read a few of your articles on this study. I am so glad to see that the science world is taking notice of this stuff. Great!
I will be linking to this post on my blog this Saturday, September 29th. I am writing up a resource piece on awareness to introduce my blog series on awareness and mindfulness and this is a perfect piece!
Amy Putkonen recently posted..A Higher Level of Being
Amy:
I am honored by your comments and inclusion. I will have to check your blog next week sometime. (I don’t work on Saturdays- and there is an important holiday starting Sunday, that yields yet another very short work-week for me.)
Roy