The (scientifically proven) benefits of meditation

Dan had always assumed that meditation was bullshit.

But then he heard about the explosion of scientific research into mindfulness. This research is still in its early stages, but it's strongly suggestive of an almost laughably long list of benefits. These include: lowering levels of stress hormones, reducing your blood pressure, and boosting your immune system. Meditation has also been shown to mitigate depression, anxiety, ADHD, and age-related cognitive decline.

A study at Harvard found that beginners who meditated for just eight weeks literally grew their gray matter in the areas of the brain associated with self-awareness and compassion. Meanwhile, the area of the brain associated with stress shrank.

Meditation can also be kryptonite for the voice in your head – your ego, your inner narrator, the nonstop conversation you’re having with yourself. This is the voice that compels us to do the stuff we’re most ashamed of – like eating the 18th cookie, firing off that angry email or – in Dan's case - going to warzones without considering the psychological consequences, getting depressed without even knowing it, and then blindly self-medicating.

Over two weeks, this course will teach you how to meditate in the simplest way possible, without any of the woo-woo, and without using the word 'namaste'. Along the way, your personal coach will help get your questions answered and help you stick to your goals.

Sample Lesson from Day 2 ("Frequently Asked Questions"):

This course is for anyone interested in the benefits of meditation, without any of the baloney.

In the 1940’s, if you told someone you were going running, they probably would have asked, "Who's chasing you?"

Then what happened? The scientists swooped in, proved the benefits of exercise, and now we all do it – and if we don’t, we feel guilty about it.

Right now, meditation is where exercise was several decades ago; it’s the next big public health revolution. As a result of the new science, meditation is now being adopted by some surprising people: corporate executives, elite athletes, the US Marines - and even this fidgety, skeptical newsman.

Used effectively, meditation can be kryptonite for the voice in your head. If it can work for a fidgety, skeptical newsman… it can work for you.