chapter 4

Basic Concept:

Mindfulness has been scientifically proven to have many benefits. Here are just a few:

• Decreasing stress
• Increasing a sense of calmness, relaxation, and self-acceptance

And studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which produces images of the brain in action, have shown that people who practice mindfulness for eight weeks experience actual changes in the brain:

• Decreased gray-matter density in the amygdala, a part of the brain that plays an important role in signaling anxiety and stress
• Increased gray-matter density in the temporal-parietal junction, an area of the brain that’s associated with self-awareness, compassion, and introspection

The take-home message is this: just as physical training strengthens the body, mindfulness training strengthens the mind. So if you want a mind that’s better able to deal with the stresses of daily life, keep reading and practicing.