Spiritual Evidence Based Best Practices

1) Resource: How God Changes Your Brain by Andrew Newberg, MD and Mark Robert Waldman

Gus was not a "meditation type of guy." He was more of a Joe Sixpack, a Philadelphia mechanic not much interested in religion. He hauled himself into Andrew Newberg's clinic for one reason: His memory was failing. Newberg, a neuroscientist and memory expert, has a special interest in spirituality; he has scanned the brains of worshipers ranging from Franciscan nuns to Pentecostals speaking in tongues. So why was he bothering with Gus? Well, Newberg explains in "How God Changes Your Brain," his studies (with coauthor Mark Robert Waldman) had convinced him of a link between spirituality and cognitive health: The neurochemical changes that he observed during meditation and prayer appeared to improve brain function. But Newberg had studied mostly devotees with years of spiritual training; he wanted to see whether a novice might benefit, too. So Gus learned the basics of Kirtan Kriya meditation. Rooted in 16th-century India, Kirtan Kriya involves conscious regulation of breathing as well as repetitive movements and sounds. Gus picked it up right away, practicing 12 minutes a day for eight weeks. That's a blip compared to what many students of meditation do. Even so, Newberg writes, Gus had greater clarity of mind, empathy and emotional equilibrium. What's more, his working memory improved as much as 50 percent on some tests. Gus's case may be inspiring to readers worried about the mental decline that comes with aging. [Excerpt of a review by Wray Herbert . Copyright Washington Post. All rights reserved. ]

For an interview with Dr. Newberg see: http://www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=5598

2) Resource: Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves by Sharon Begley

The Dalai Lama, Buddhist monks and some of the world's leading neuroscientists all gather once a year at a conference on the latest discoveries in neuroplasticity: the study of how the human brain can change itself. (This is the second book the subject due out in March, along with Norman Doidge's The Brain That Changes Itself). This remarkable conference serves as the center of Wall Street Journal science columnist Begley's account of neuroplasticity. Until recently, the reigning theory was that neurons in the brain didn't regenerate. Begley walks readers through the seminal experiments showing that in fact new neurons are created in the brain every day, even in people in their 70s. With frequent tangents into Buddhist philosophy, Begley surveys current knowledge of neuroplasticity. Most interesting is a series of experiments with Buddhist adepts who have spent over 10,000 hours meditating. What these experiments show is tantalizing: it might be possible to train the brain to be better at feeling certain emotions, such as compassion. No less interesting are the hurdles the scientists face in recruiting participants; yogis replied that if these scientists wanted to understand meditation, they should meditate. Despite the title, the book holds no neuroplasticity tips, but it is a fascinating exploration of the ways the mind can change the brain.

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Invitation to Consider Elder's Spiritual Well-Being

Elders today have lived active and engaged spiritual lives. Some have participated in religious and spiritual movements that had a profound impact on them. Each of these spiritual and religious experiences and practices have strengths and have supported people in their lives in different ways. Each almost certainly has pitfalls that may cause spiritual challenges later in life.

This blog is an opportunity to discover ways and means to meet elders where they are in their spiritual and religious development and use the power of these tools they have built for themselves. It is hoped that we can and will use cognitive patterns, values and beliefs that support or raise their level of well-being. Also, to help elders overcome challenges inherent in their spiritual and religious life that may hobble them on this path.

Our current culture is currently critical of or cautious about spirituality. Religion has been used recently by some to justify self-righteous condemnation and hate. This results in a concern about religion and such distancing comments from some people as, "I am spiritual but NOT religious." This blog is not intended to criticize those who find the state of religion today difficult or those who find no rational reason for faith in a God or higher power. Rather it is hoped this will be a place where those who serve elders today can approach and assist them to achieve what these elders believe to be their highest practicable well-being including their spirituality.

The OBRA legislation of 1984 in the US, requires staff of residential care facilities to provide services, activities, care and an environment that offers residents the chance to achieve the highest practicable level of psycho-social well-being. This includes spiritual well-being, but often this can be difficult for staff in care plans, reviews with state surveyors and in creating appropriate programs and services. This is often left to the chaplain(s) of a facility and not integrated into the care at a facility. The only time this seems to happen for clients is at end-of-life hospice care.

To approach this, this blog will focus on research and surveys of elders, the history of religious beliefs and movements in the USA that may impact elders today, and discussion techniques, strategies, care plans and practices that seem to support elders in using their spirituality and religion to live better lives.