Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body

by Daniel Goleman

An altered trait—a new characteristic that arises from a meditation practice—endures apart from meditation itself. Altered traits shape how we behave in our daily lives, not just during or immediately after we meditate.

True

Transpersonal Psychology,

Another side of psychology to read about.

Brain research tells us of three kinds of empathy.6 Cognitive empathy lets us understand how the other person thinks; we see their perspective. In emotional empathy we feel what the other is feeling. And the third, empathic concern or caring, lies at the heart of compassion.

Now I am curious to learn more.

William James

Downloaded a preview chapter of his writings on pragmatism.

Constant stress and worry take a toll on our cells, aging them. So do continual distractions and a wandering mind, due to the toxic effects of rumination, where our mind gravitates to troubles in our relationships but never resolves them.

Took me years to figure that out.

Nearly one in five adults in the United States, nearly 44 million, were found by the National Institute of Mental Health to suffer from a mental illness in any given year.

I wonder how many more have experienced depression in the past 5 years.

Signs of such flourishing include increasing generosity, kindness and focus, and a less rigid division between “us” and “them.”

I especially like this improvement.