Neuroscience Evidence
From the front lines of Neuroscience labs, comes compelling evidence of the efficacy of these practices for producing Felicity. A book that extensively documents these results is “Altered Traits” by Daniel Goleman & Richard J. Davidson (2017). Dr. Richardson’s brain lab at the University of Wisconsin – Madison has been studying the brains of Yogis – Tibetan Buddhist monks who are long-term practitioners of these disciplines, for decades. One such measurement involves EEG waves produced by brains as a result of neural activity. They focused on Gamma waves – the highest frequency waves produced by the brain during moments when different brain regions fire in harmony. Ordinarily, the brain emits these waves for less than a second when it experiences a mental pleasure like solving a puzzle or a sensual pleasure like biting into a ripe, juicy peach. The pleasure experienced is accompanied by the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine in the brain. 

The contrast between Yogis and ordinary people on Gamma intensity was immense: on average, the Yogis had 25 times greater amplitude! This pattern, observed during normal ‘resting’ states, became even more intense during meditation. Astonishingly, this sustained, brain-entraining Gamma pattern goes on even while seasoned practitioners are asleep!

The evidence that these practices result in a permanent, felicity-enhancing neural transformation is now clear and compelling. In addition to the Gamma wave finding, we now have extensive proof of numerous other benefits – lower reactivity to stress and lessened inflammation, a strengthening of the pre-frontal neural circuits for managing distress, a greater ability to focus and sustain attention, less mind-wandering, fewer self-obsessed thoughts and a weakening of the circuitry for attachment.