Matthieu Ricard (Matthieu Ricard) — a famous Buddhist monk, writer, photographer, and the luckiest man on earth — this is proven by science. Neurologist Richard Davidson (Richard Davidson) during his research on happiness found that Mathieu is the happiest man he had ever seen: Ricard scored -4,5 points, while -3,0 points means a great happiness. Is it possible to be as satisfied with life? Matthieu Ricard says that everyone can achieve just by meditating just 20 minutes a day.
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A bit strange the title of the happiest man on earth. But the scientist-neurologist Richard Davidson argues that this is a French molecular biologist, now a Buddhist monk Mathieu Ricard. Mathieu is now 66 years old, 40 years ago he left a life in Paris to go to India to study Buddhism. Now he’s a confidant of the Dalai Lama and respected Western scholar in the field of religion.
But, it turns out, daily meditation has brought Mathieu and another advantage: he enjoys life like no other in this world. Scanning the brain Mathieu R., Richard Davidson found the largest capacity for happiness ever recorded. As Mathieu tells himself, meditation changes the brain, which means that changes you completely. And he says that everyone can become like him if you learn to let your thoughts float freely.
Neuroscientist Richard Davidson was examined by Mathieu in his study of people practicing advanced techniques of meditation which he spent at the University of Wisconsin. It is hooked up to the head monk of 256 sensors, and the scans showed that when meditating on compassion brain Mathieu R. generates gamma waves. They are linked to consciousness, attention, learning and memory. As Davidson argues, to this study of such reactions have not been reported in the literature in neurology.
the <small>Andy Francis (Andy Francis), and Anthony Lutz (Antoine Lutz) fix sensors on the head Mathieu R.. www.dailymail.co.uk</small>
The scans also showed excessive activity in his left prefrontal cortex compared with the right that, as the researchers believe, shows the reduction of negative and abnormal ability to feel happiness.
the <small>Picture of the brain Mathieu R., obtained with MRI. www.dailymail.co.uk</small>
the <small>Examination R. Mathieu. www.dailymail.co.uk</small>
the <small>Chart, taken during one of the EEG brain R. Mathieu. www.dailymail.co.uk</small>
The study of the phenomenon of neuroplasticity is in its infancy, and Matthieu Ricard, along with several leading scientists around the world, was the first who began to conduct experiments in this area.
Neuroplasticity is a property of the human brain, consisting in the possibility to change under the influence of experience, but also to restore the lost connection after damage or in response to external stimuli. This property is described relatively recently.
Matthieu Ricard believes meditation can change the brain and help people be more happy, as well as regular exercise with weight to strengthen muscles.
Matthieu Ricard
Buddhist monk
12 years we studied short-and long-term effects of brain training through meditation on attention, on compassion, on emotional balance. And found remarkable results with practitioners who have performed more than 50 000 cycles of meditation, and beginners who meditate for just 20 minutes a day for three weeks — this, of course, more applicable to modern life. This is wonderful research because they prove that meditation is not bliss under the mango tree, is what changes your brain and yourself.
Ricard has written several books. First, “the Monk and the philosopher”, along with his father, philosopher Jean-Francois Revel (Jean-François Revel). This is a dialog about the meaning of life. Next book Ricard issued in 2011 — a practical guide “the Art of meditation”, which explains how and why everyone should learn meditation.
7 tips on meditation from the book of Mathieu R.
1. A healthy mind should work like a mirror: the face reflected in it, but not linger. So it is with thoughts: let them flow freely through your mind, stop them.
2. It is impossible not to let thoughts in my head, but a particular sound or the breath calm the mind, bringing clarity. Controlling the mind, you do not limit your freedom, but stop being a slave to your thoughts. You have to control your mind as a boat.
3. Learn mindfulness, pay attention to the sensations of inhalation and exhalation. If you noticed, distracted, focus on your breathing. Use the awareness to move into the present, instead of linger in the past or thinking about the future. Feel the warmth, the cold, the sounds you hear.
4. When you achieve some proficiency, can cultivate kindness or to deal with disturbing emotions. You might even feel overwhelming love, usually this feeling lasts 15 seconds, but you can keep it, focusing on it during meditation. When you feel that it becomes vague, relive it.
5. This can be compared to playing the piano: practicing 20 minutes a day, you’ll get more noticeable results than if you spend a few seconds. Regular practice is as necessary as water for plants.
6. You can use meditation to rid himself of negative emotions.
Your emotions are fire. If you are aware of the anger, you are not angry, you just realize. Aware of the anxiety, you are not worried, you just know it. Being aware of your emotions, you don’t add fuel to the fire, they will burn out.
Matthieu Ricard
7. After a month of constant practice you will see improvement: less stress, more overall well-being. Those who say that they have no time for meditation, must understand the benefits. If meditation gives you the strength to spend the remaining 23 hours and 40 minutes, so 20 minutes was well spent.
The book became a bestseller, and my calm came to an end. Suddenly I was transported into the Western world. I talked a lot with scientists, and it began spinning out of my control. I was involved in research and the science of meditation.
Matthieu Ricard
Now known monk Matthieu Ricard from the monastery in Kathmandu Shechen divides his time between the year on meditation, scientific research and accompanying the Dalai Lama on his travels in French-speaking countries and science conferences. He spoke at the world economic forum in Davos during the financial crisis in 2009 to tell a gathering of politicians and business leaders that the time has come to abandon greed in favor of “enlightened altruism”.
Mathieu was awarded the French order “For merit” for his work in preserving Himalayan culture, but his work on the science of happiness, makes him look better. It seems, Matthieu Ricard lives a good life and showing compassion is not because religion, but because this is the way to happiness.
Check to be believed. Buddhism attempts to unravel the mechanisms of happiness and suffering. This science of the mind.
