Science of the mind

Our methodology is based on the neuroplasticity - the ability for mental change through training, such as meditation to create new neural pathways.

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We rush from one thing to another, often multi-tasking, wearing the badge of ‘I'm busy' with pride, all the time ignoring the fact that we are always grasping and never resting. The feelings of instant gratification we encounter through social media, also mean we are dissatisfied and unhappy as we are always looking for the next hit or comparing our lives to others and thus creating unhappiness at not having the same things as them.

Dopamine, which our body creates when we feel good, is actually at its peak before an event occurs. As we have decided that happiness only comes from external elements, once the event takes place, dopamine drops, meaning we are instantly looking for the next fix.

In addition to dopamine addiction, our minds and bodies are often flooded with cortisol and adrenaline - the body's natural reaction to stress. Whereas historically, when in a situation of fight or flight, these hormones would have soared but been dealt with by the decision to fight or flee, in the modern world the amygdala - the part of the brain that creates fight or flight - is so assaulted by stress that it can no longer separate real from imagined danger and so reacts to any pressure we experience.

In turn, as the increased presence of cortisol in our body burns up our blood sugar, leading us to reach for an energy fix through sugar or caffeine, we find ourselves on a constant rollercoaster where exhaustion becomes the norm. We end up believing this is how we should live in the modern world. 

Samten disputes this.

Science has shown that no matter how deep our thought patterns and habits run, we all have the ability to change. Neuroplasticity has proved that the brain has the ability to create new neural pathways, thus changing the way we think and act. The way to do this is through training, such as in meditation.

When we practice meditation and mindfulness on a daily basis, we learn to find happiness within and to deal with the negative thoughts and emotions that often flood our minds. We learn to reduce the flow of cortisol and adrenaline and to rely less on the dopamine hit, and instead to increase our levels of oxytocin - the body's natural reaction to feelings of unconditional love, calm and security. It is this hormone that we are filled with at birth and by reprogramming our neural pathways through meditation, we can once again learn to smile from within.