*promote

Promoting this video and sending it back into the queue for one more try; last queued Sunday, October 30th, 2011 5:37pm PDT - promote requested by eric3579.

I wish meditation didn't have all this newage connotations. I've been meditating on and off in a similar manner as he describes (ie, focusing on breath, on the bodies sensations in the present etc) as a way to fight stress/anxiety/depression. It works well, although I've no idea how well grounded in science it is.

I definitely think its something worth looking into even if your not having trouble with anxiety etc. It honestly allows me to have healthier thoughts and just generally a clearer rational, and that in turn keeps the anxiety, depression and all the rest of that bad shit away. But yah, when I first started I was supes skeptical cos I envisioned holding crystals and burning incense while chanting a strange language.

Anyway, I'm glad Sam Harris is talking about it.

There's actually a fairly extensive literature now on the benefits of meditation (sans the woowoo). Lots of health benefits, including long term effects like staving off cognitive decline (e.g., dementia). Expert meditators can show all kinds of interesting cognitive benefits. I keep meaning to take up the practice myself.

>> ^Jinx:

I wish meditation didn't have all this newage connotations. I've been meditating on and off in a similar manner as he describes (ie, focusing on breath, on the bodies sensations in the present etc) as a way to fight stress/anxiety/depression. It works well, although I've no idea how well grounded in science it is.
I definitely think its something worth looking into even if your not having trouble with anxiety etc. It honestly allows me to have healthier thoughts and just generally a clearer rational, and that in turn keeps the anxiety, depression and all the rest of that bad shit away. But yah, when I first started I was supes skeptical cos I envisioned holding crystals and burning incense while chanting a strange language.
Anyway, I'm glad Sam Harris is talking about it.