Category → Lifelong Learning
The brain is capable of perceiving more than previously thought
Most people have had the experience of feeling as though they were being watched without actually seeing the person watching them. A new study published in the journal Psychological Science suggests that the full depth of brain potential may explain this phenomenon.
An international group of researchers found that the human brain can pay attention to something and remember aspects of it later without actually being aware that it was present in the moment.
It may seem counterintuitive that the mind can pay attention to an object without even being consciously aware of it, but the researchers said that this characteristic of brain potential likely evolved to help the early ancestors of the human race identify and differentiate between potentially threatening and beneficial objects more quickly.
"We need to be able to direct attention to objects of potential interest even before we have become aware of those objects," said Po-Jang Hsieh, who led the investigation.
The findings help underscore author and philosopher Ilchi Lee's points about the extent of brain potential, and support his idea that through rigorous mental exercise, it may be possible to develop these parts of the mind that most people don't even know they have.
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Men and women handle stress differently
Stress can cause individuals to think and act in drastically different ways than they normally would, and handling this stress may play an important role in lifelong success and personal development.
A recent study from a researcher as the University of Southern California found that men and women react differently under stress, and while both of these reactions may have served functions during the development of the human race, both may have their drawbacks now.
Nichole Lighthall, who conducted the investigation, found that under stress, men tend to proceed brashly while women tend to become more cautious and hesitant. However, in less stressful situations, the researcher found that men and women tend to make decisions in more similar ways.
Lighthall said that the findings underscore the importance of managing stress in daily life. They may also contribute to an improved understanding of gender differences. This knowledge could improve the ways people, particularly couples, handle stressful situations.
Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee has recommended meditation for years as a way to manage stress and stimulate personal development.
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Thousands of people meet their life dream at commencement ceremony
Many individuals believe that Ilchi Lee's teachings of brain education should be a way to live their lives. In that sense, they frequently look for programs where they can challenge their minds to lead to further opportunities.
As a result, more people are choosing to go back to school in order to advance their degrees. The Florida Institute of Technology recently announced that more than 1,100 individuals received degrees during the Spring 2011 commencement ceremony.
More than 100 of those degrees were from students who were studying fully-online. Multiple students are looking for a curriculum that will allow them to work at the same time, a number of people are choosing virtual programs.
Students who received their degrees were happy to meet their life goals, many of whom had worked for years to reach the certification.
"It has allowed me to obtain a new position and a promotion in a field I never dreamed of," said graduate Teresa Hines. "Most importantly, I have met some amazing people from the staff, professors and classmates who have already made a difference in my life."
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New initiative seeks to gauge brain potential
Over the past few years, science has made some tremendous advancements in the cause of neuroscience. However, there has been little effort to connect all these findings to produce a unified understanding of the mind.
In an effort to pull recent findings together and to push an agenda that could lead to important new research, former Rhode Island congressman Patrick Kennedy recently launched the One Mind for Research initiative. According to the Associated Press, the project will seek to provide funding for a range of new studies on topics such as Alzheimer's disease, autism, post-traumatic stress disorder and a range of other mental diseases.
Additionally, the group is working toward releasing a 10-year plan that it hopes will steer the future course of neuroscientific inquiry. Kennedy said that these issues are so pressing, that the nation needs to push forward on them.
"Instead of us going to outer space, let's go to inner space," he told the news source. "This is a fundamental moment for us as a nation to determine whether this is something that we're up to the task of tackling."
Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee has also advocated for scientific study of the brain. He says that by understanding its inner workings, it may be possible to pursue spiritual growth.
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School offers environmental law degree to those who feel a personal responsibility
Many people feel as though they have a personal responsibility to keep the earth as clean as possible, which will allow the ecosystem to thrive despite other harmful conditions. As the environment is a hot topic right now, many are interested in increasing their knowledge in the subject.
Vermont Law School announced that it launched two new degree programs that would be available online. The institution is the first school in America to offer an online master's degree in environmental law that is available to those who are not studying to become a lawyer.
School officials say that this is a good option for individuals who have other commitments but want to learn more about the sector.
"By providing a platform for students to explore environmental law and policy with our world-class faculty at their own pace and within their own constraints, we will extend Vermont Law School's unique brand of excellent environmental legal training and commitment to public well-being to a vast array of communities and to the world," said Marc Mihaly, director of the school's environmental law center.
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Becoming an expert in something involves high levels of brain training
It may be difficult for the uninitiated to understand how a true classical music connoisseur can tell the difference between Beethoven and Mozart or recognize the differences between paintings by Monet and Cezanne. However, a new study has found that a person's ability to distinguish between these types of subtleties comes from extensive brain training.
Researchers from the Berlin Center for Advanced Neuroimaging took brain scans of a group of participants while they were trying to learn the differences between two sets of images. The scans showed that, rather than having high levels of activity in the visual centers of the brain, participants had more activity in decision-making areas of the brain.
This told the researchers that learning to differentiate between two similar objects is a function of intellectual interpretation rather than merely perception.
The findings support the teachings of Ilchi Lee, who says that human brain potential is nearly limitless and when the proper training is applied, the mind can achieve tremendous things. The results of the study suggest that through regular practice, it may be possible to reach continually higher levels of intellectual ability.
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Tactile memory is stronger than imagined
It is an area of brain potential that is often overlooked, but a team of German researchers say that humans' memory for different types of touches is actually extremely strong.
The Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin researchers said that individuals are capable of distinguishing between several different types of touch simultaneously and that they are capable of recalling the memories of these various types of tactile sensation quickly and accurately.
The team tested various types of touch sensations, such as the feeling of Braille on the fingers, several different frequencies of vibration and placing two fingers on the skin.
Brain scans of the participants showed that the majority of the activity in the mind took place in the frontal lobes, where much of a person's higher-order thinking takes place. This told the researchers that humans have strong control over their tactile memories.
"A new touch does not erase the memory of a previous touch from working memory. Rather, new and old tactile memories can persist independently of each another, once a person's attention has registered the touches," they wrote in their report.
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Adversity shown to hinder perception
Adversity may actually dull an individual's perceptive abilities and make it more difficult for them to learn from new experiences, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.
The findings give particular emphasis to Ilchi Lee's thoughts on brain health. He says that individuals must do all that they can to learn from negative experiences and use this wisdom to overcome adversity. The results of the study show that this is important to achieving a heightened state of consciousness.
For the study, researchers from Weizmann Institute asked participants to listen to a set of tones, some of which preceded an offensive odor. The results showed that individuals were able to easily distinguish between tones that came before a pleasant or neutral outcome, but those that indicated a negative occurrence were not as easily learned.
The researchers said that this shows the negative experience of a bad odor inhibited auditory perception.
While adversity is a constant in nearly everyone's life, learning how to effectively deal with it may be important in perceiving the world in more healthy ways.
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Jordan: A place to contemplate civilization and history
Considered a land where some of the earliest civilizations developed, Jordan is a place where most travelers experience a spiritual growth while vacationing there.
Whether it's the stunning architecture, heroic stories from centuries ago or the peaceful nature of the citizens there, something about Jordan is simply wonderful.
The best places to visit can be found along the nation's western border stretching down to Saudi Arabia, starting with sites just north of Amman, the capital of Jordan.
"A little southwest of Amman is Mt. Nebo – the spot where Moses first saw The Promised Land," states Bob Schulman, a travel editor for WatchBoom.com.
Along the Dead Sea coast is where many travelers find popular wellness-oriented resorts and retreats, according to Schulman. The area is the lowest point on the planet, dipping 1,312 feet below sea-level.
"From [the Dead Sea], the highway runs through stretches of flatlands peppered with Bedouin tents, biosphere reserves, moonscape-like deserts and rugged mountain ranges."
The road stops at Aqaba, made famous in the film "Lawrence of Arabia."
All of these destinations are steeped in history and are sure to make one stop and consider the marvels of human civilization.
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Social activity can preserve mental function in seniors
There are many ways that Ilchi Lee says a person can preserve their brain health as they age. Meditation and mind training programs can all help seniors stay mentally sharp. Now, a new study has shown that simply being more socially active may also serve to protect the brain from decline.
Researchers from Rush University reported in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society that older individuals who engage in more social activities tend to have healthier brain function than more socially isolated seniors.
The researchers speculated that social activities force individuals to use diverse areas of their brains, which may serve to preserve neural networks and contribute to a sharp, focused mind. The study showed that social activities as simple as going to church or eating at a restaurant can be enough to preserve mental function.
When these activities are added to meditative programs or other initiatives specifically designed to improve mental function, seniors may be able to remain lucid and avoid cognitive decline for many years to come. Lee says that mental health is one of the most important areas of overall health.
