Without focus, the mind slips into Default Mode Network (DMN). This is a wandering default state that the mind automatically reverts to, otherwise known as “monkey mind.” In meditation, the challenge is to move away from monkey mind to concentration and focus. This leads to a states of calm and clarity.
In a dramatic demonstration of how meditation affects the brain, researchers from the University of Oslo and the University of Sydney determined how the brain works during meditation. Notice the MRI image to left in DMN (wandering, unfocused mind) vs. the focused mind in meditation. The orange, yellow and green areas represent varying levels of brain activity and waves of intensity. The blue regions represent less activity and intensity (calm waves). Quite a demonstrative contrast! These images show how the meditative mind is calm and focused after just 10 minutes of meditation! Can you carve out just 10 minutes a day for more mindful performance at work and home?