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When we think of meditation in Australia, we might imagine rising early and sitting silently in a cross-legged position, wearing a matching athleisure set.
In this imagined meditative state, our mind is quiet as it seeks inner peace.
This cultural obsession extends to academic curiosity. Meditation and mindfulness are some of the most popular and hyped research topics in psychology, psychiatry, medicine and neuroscience.
However, meditation has been around long before the word ‘athleisure’.
It covers a vast range of practices and techniques, with deep roots in diverse traditions, cultures and religions.
So, after thousands of years and varying global practices, does meditation live up to the hype?
BREATHE IN
Our current view of meditation is quite narrow. It’s more than a TikTok fad – it’s a practice with prehistoric origins.
Meditation appeared in ancient Indian texts around 1500–1200 BC.
Around the same time, early Chinese philosophers explored breath-focused meditation in Daoism. Buddhist monks were also refining mindfulness techniques to achieve enlightenment.
Caption: Six upper class hotties meditating together.
Credit: Created by Kassandra Zaza, image via Canva
Christian monks and Sufi mystics embraced meditative prayer to deepen their spiritual connection.
Ironically, these ancient traditions have influenced social media influencers’ morning routines.
Despite the evolution from ancient temples to neuroscience labs, meditation has always been about unlocking the mind’s potential. But does it actually work?
FROM STRESSED TO BLESSED (AND LESS DEPRESSED?)
Professor Jennifer Rodger is Head of Brain Plasticity Research at the Perron Institute and The University of Western Australia.
She says there is still a lot to discover.
“The available imaging techniques have revealed that meditation causes structural and functional changes in large-scale brain networks,” says Jennifer.
“We still don’t really understand what that means, but the changes are linked to cognition, mood and emotional processing.
“There is also a lot of evidence that meditation can alter brainwave patterns, which is also linked to cognition, concentration, emotion, sleep and more.”
MIND OVER MATTER
A 2014 meta-analysis found targeted meditation could increase our compassion.
Yet the day-to-day consequences of these changes remain unclear.
Some studies suggest meditation can be great for stress relief, but there’s little consensus in research.
Some research found meditation’s effectiveness is variable. It depends on who is teaching or whether the participants believe it will work.
Another study found its effects weren’t much different from watching scenic nature videos.
Some people who consistently meditate reported side effects. This includes anxiety or feeling disconnected from reality, especially if they’re already prone to mental health struggles.
So while meditation may make you feel more connected, it’s not guaranteed to turn you into Yoda.
Caption: Solo meditation during sunrise is all the rage.
Credit: Created by Kassandra Zaza, image via Canva
REWIRING THE MIND, ONE BREATH AT A TIME
Meditation’s mind benefits may extend beyond addressing mental health. Recent research found potential benefits for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
David Blacker is one of the researchers behind this study. He’s a clinical professor and the Perron Institute Medical Director.
David says there are roadblocks for integrating spiritual practices into mainstream healthcare, despite promising evidence.
“There is emerging data for the use of meditation in a variety of neurological conditions,” says David.
“Parkinson’s disease would seem to be a very applicable condition that may respond well to meditation.
“But how well it becomes integrated into treatment plans will depend on how open-minded the practitioner is and funding.”
BREATHE OUT
The best way to test meditation’s effectiveness might not be scientific evidence but how we feel inside our own mind, Jennifer says.
“I think that is difficult to evaluate scientifically, as each person will have their own subjective experience of those goals.”
For blogging enthusiasts, sceptical scientists and hopeful researchers alike, the jury is still out on meditation’s physical and spiritual benefits.
With so many kinds of meditation and varying outcomes, science may be unable to prove if meditation could help you.
The answer may be waiting in the quiet of your own mind.
