Contemplation's a mindful state in which the mind notices life's delight and
the brain registers positive regard, felt-integrity, a spiritual sense of being
blessed with bliss, the glad heart response.
But how do you detect the biology of contemplation?
You can attain measurable results by attaching electrodes such that you tap into neural circuits and find markers of stress that get reduced, such as heart rate and blood pressure and perspiration, no doubt about it.
But how do you gauge inspiration, a glimpse of glory?
Lab results from scientific research into practices of meditation show not only reduced symptoms of stress but improved regulation of emotional states, even cultivation of compassion to enhance sociability.
But how do you weigh kindness, caring, empathy, or love?
It's evidently proved, meditation can improve a cancer patient's outlook,
and help psoriasis heal four times as fast, and relieve symptoms of anxiety, chronic pain and fatigue, not to mention irritable bowel syndrome.
But how do you measure healing of the spiritual bowel, the gut of deep trust?
One story is that enhanced immunity may come from the brain's left side, and that a complex neural circuit connects the prefrontal cortex to other brain parts like the amygdala, seat of fear, and the anterior cingulate, seat of conflict.
But how do you reach the seat of the soul, the crossroads of I and Thou?
While contemplation arises a molecular thing, no biology can hope to capture the delicate web of its intricate threads or the sweet perfume of its luminous incense, because its logic is of the gauzy stuff of spirit, a subtle, integral matter.
Notice Ken Wilber's integral work.
For another link to some respectable research:
www.nytimes.com/2003/09/14/magazine/14BUDDHISM.html
