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> Restricting movement builds will power through strengthening the pre-frontal cortex I would really love to see reference for that, no sarcasm

• bayesian_horse 10y ago
  The oldest reference I know (but can't cite) is that in the 60s researchers tried to teach cats, who had EEG electrodes implanted, to change their brain waves. The cats seemed to achieve that through being extremely still. The prefrontal cortex has been linked extensively to executive functions and inhibition of motor pathways. For example inhibiting a movement in progress. Children with less developed PFCs, mainly those with ADHD have huge problems sitting still and concentrating. Even beyond ADHD, PFC development is associated with academic performance, willpower and not being aggressive. In Zen Buddhism, sitting still, "just sitting" is the primary means of training the practitioner's brain.
  • visarga 10y ago
    Zen Buddhism is voluntary, school is compulsory. You need to compare with compulsory Zen meditation. /s
  • bayesian_horse 10y ago
    I don't believe compulsion comes into play here. By the way, do you think that children who enter Buddhist monasteries are there voluntarily? I even doubt that novices in Japanese Zen monasteries are all that voluntary. A cultural thing, maybe. And believe me, meditation often feels coercive, even if nobody on the "outside" is forcing me. I'm forcing myself. Which is will power on a slightly larger scale than the one to restrict movement.