Among many other benefits, here are 4 of the astonishing things meditation can do, according to research:1. It can reduce crime rate in nearby areas

You would be surprised, but it is true. Many researches have proved that, when a group of people continue to practice meditation, crime rate in that area—in a large area of several squire miles—drop drastically. The researches have focused on TD meditation only, but the results would be similar with other forms of meditation as well.

How does it happen?  Many have seen a connection between individual consciousness and mass consciousness. Relaxed and compassionate individual consciousness may produce energy to invisibly calm down mass consciousness in and around where meditation is practiced.

Source:

https://medium.com/@jenniferchase_45595/we-can-literally-reduce-crime-through-meditation-60d5ff023e1

2. It improves heart health

According to latest research, meditation can reduce the factors that cause heart problems—such factors as high blood pressure and high levels of bad cholesterol. Meditation does so by reducing number one killer in industrialized countries: stress. Scientists have observed a close connection between stress and higher levels of cholesterol, and practicing meditation has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce stress.

Sources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/meditation-offers-significant-heart-benefits
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319572.php

3. It helps fight premature aging

Could meditation be a solid foundation of youth? “We know that unmanaged stress is one of the greatest causes of aging,” says Dr. Roizen. “It increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.”

In one 2016 study published in Translational Psychiatry, researchers recruited 102 women to spend six days at a retreat where they either just relaxed or did a meditation program. Compared to blood drawn before the women checked in, blood samples from the end of the retreat showed improvements in biomarkers related to aging in the newly-minted meditators.
While the exact reason why isn’t clear, “we know from this and many other studies, meditation works through reducing the aging effect of stress,” Dr. Roizen says.

4. It helps keep a cold out of your future

Meditation be beneficial to staving off a cold. In a study published in the Annals of Family Medicine, researchers assigned 150 participants aged 50 and older to one of three groups for eight weeks: mindfulness meditation training, moderate-intensity exercise training, or a control group.

Meditation and exercise both reduced their susceptibility to colds compared to the control group—the latter two groups took just over half as many sick days as the people in the control group during the course of the study.

Again, the relaxing effects are likely a factor, says Dr. Goyal, since stress can actually get in the way of your immune system’s ability to fight an infection.

Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/6-ways-meditation-benefits-every-160200057.html

Children’s Sunday Classes Begin Sunday, Sept. 1Sunday, Sept. 1, is the first day of children’s classes for the fall 2019. Dhamma, Sinhala, music and Dance classes all will begin the same day.

On day 1, children will be grouped into new classes. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to the Vihara around 8:15 am. The Puja will begin at 8:30.

This is an in-advance reminder that the Kathina ceremony will be held on Nov. 2 & 3, Saturday and Sunday.We will have all-night chanting Saturday night, and the Kathina ceremony will be held on Sunday.

Opening ceremony of the Bodhi Prakara will be the special event during the same weekend!