This Meditation Technique Can Boost Brain Power, Scientists Say

Amy Taylor August 21, 2014

Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have demonstrated for the first time that practising different types of Buddhist meditation – particularly the Vajrayana and Theravada styles of meditation can lead to enhancements in cognitive performance.

Contrary to popular belief, not all meditation techniques produce similar effects of body and mind. A study by the National University of Singapore suggests that certain styles of meditation elicit qualitatively different influences on human physiology and behaviour, producing arousal and relaxation responses respectively.

Researchers examined four different types of meditative practices: two types of Vajrayana meditations (Tibetan Buddhism) practices (Visualisation of self-generation-as-Deity and Rig-pa) and two types of Theravada practices (Shamatha and Vipassana). They collected electrocardiographic (EKG) and electroencephalographic (EEG) responses and also measured behavioural performance on cognitive tasks using a pool of experienced Theravada practitioners from Thailand and Nepal, as well as Vajrayana practitioners from Nepal.

They observed that physiological responses during the Theravada meditation differ significantly from those during the Vajrayana meditation. Theravada meditation produced enhanced parasympathetic activation (relaxation). In contrast, Vajrayana meditation did not show any evidence of parasympathetic activity but showed an activation of the sympathetic system (arousal).

The researchers also noticed immediate dramatic increase in performance on cognitive tasks following only Vajrayana styles of meditation. According to them, such dramatic boost in attentional capacity is impossible during a state of relaxation. Their results show that Vajrayana and Theravada styles of meditation are based on different neurophysiological mechanisms, which give rise to either an arousal or relaxation response.

The new findings, published in the journal PLOS ONE, showed that Vajrayana meditation can lead to dramatic enhancement in cognitive performance, suggesting that Vajrayana meditation could be especially useful in situations where it is important to perform at one’s best, such as during competition or states of urgency. On the other hand, Theravada styles of meditation are an excellent way to decrease stress, release tension, and promote deep relaxation.

In future research, the team will be investigating whether permanent changes could occur after long-term practice. The researchers are also looking at how non-practitioners can benefit from such meditative practices.

Source of this article: Study reveals that Vajrayana meditation techniques associated with Tibetan Buddhism can enhance brain performance