Buddhists Really Are Happy, According to Brain Scans

Reuters | 5/22/03

[theoverseer]

Buddhists really are happy, calm and serene people -- at least according to their brain scans.

Using new scanning techniques, neuroscientists have discovered that certain areas of the brain light up constantly in Buddhists, which indicates positive emotions and good mood. This happens at times even when they are not meditating.

"We can now hypothesize with some confidence that those apparently happy, calm Buddhist souls one regularly comes across in places such as Dharamsala, India, really are happy," said Prof. Owen Flanagan of Duke University, in a report in New Scientist magazine.

Dharamsala is the home base of exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama.

The scanning studies by scientists at the University of Wisconsin at Madison showed activity in the left prefrontal lobes of experienced Buddhist practitioners. The area is linked to positive emotions, self-control and temperament.

Other research at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, suggests that meditation and mindfulness can tame the amygdala, an area of the brain which is the hub of fear memory.

Flanagan believes that if the findings of the studies can be confirmed, they could be of major importance.

[PianoMan]

People sound a little defensive on this... no one is saying based on this that Buddhism is a superior religion or anything. (it's not really a religion, incidentally, except where it has been warped from its original intentions...) But it is interesting that people who practice meditation and detachment feel content. There have been many Christian sects that advocated the same practices in different forms.

[Stone Mountain]

And probably see the same effect in junkies about five minutes after their last fix.

Sure, but the point is that these people are apparently able to reach that level of happiness without drugs.

[onedoug]

Happiness though, or serenity? The latter might be achieved by withdrawing from the world, whereas happy people would seem motivated to do more good in it.

[PoorMuttly]

That settles it.

Muttly will eat another Buddhist.

[The Old Hoosier]

Calm and serene, perhaps. But can a brain scan tell you if you're happy? I don't think so.

[El Sordo]

I bet if they hooked me up to that machine, they'd think it was broken.

"Are you sure this thing is on?"

[freelight]

...confirming that ignorance is bliss after all : )

[freelight]

...confirming that ignorance is bliss after all : )

[LivingNet]

What good is it to be happy all the way to Hell?

[Pahuanui]

What good is it to be happy all the way to Hell?

What good is it to already be trapped in hell?

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Oh, I get it. You have a book that tell you that you are going to "heaven" and you believe it, so it is the truth. Interesting.

[LibTeeth]

..and their stomach scans show that they are all hungry for a decent steak...

[Our man in washington]

ClearCase_guy wrote:

>Please help me out here. I can't think of any. I chalk >that up to the Buddhist belief that this world is not real >and not worth fussing about.

>But perhaps you have a list of great gifts given to us by >Buddhist. Please share.

Well, lots of people have found inner peace through Buddhism. I'm not one of them, but if people were helped, that's a gift to the world.

[LivingNet]

You have a book that tell you that you are going to "heaven" and you believe it, so it is the truth. Interesting.

It is not a book...it is God's word. It is God's revelation to man. Yes it is the truth. Yes I believe it. Are you calling God a liar?

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

There are plenty of other people who read books and claim that their books' are the way to God. Interesting that they all think they have the one and only answer.

[dagoofyfoot]

What good is it to be happy all the way to Hell?


Unlike most religions there is no heaven or hell in Bhudism, therefore there's no expectations to change your lifestyle or behavior.
People run from Christianity because when you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior you must repent, (change direction). It's not always easy! Especially if you grew up believeing in nothing. My God is a loving but jelouse God. Jesus claims that no one comes to the Father, but through him. Anybody else that claims differently is a thief.

I believe what you say, but with one exception. You can be Christian, happy, and still get to Heaven.

[dagoofyfoot]

There are plenty of other people who read books and claim that their book's are the way to God. Interesting that they all think they have the one and only answer.


I used to think just like you! There are so many holy men out there that claim to have a monopoly on the "Truth"


Jesus said, "When you seek me with all your heart, and all your soul, that's when you will find me."


I found Him the first time at 40 years old.
I wish I'd found Him sooner!

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

While I honestly am happy that you've found peace, I must state that there are 40 year olds who have found "Truth" in other religions at 40.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

So, tell me again how your version of God's word is more right than someone else's version of God's word? Thanks in advance for a rational response.