Significance of Mental training
Mental training encompasses a variety of practices aimed at enhancing mental focus, balance, and insight across different disciplines. In Buddhism, it involves mindfulness, meditation, and the development of qualities such as calmness and wisdom. This includes practices from both Mahayana and Theravada traditions, which focus on conditioning the mind and purifying it from defilements. Yoga highlights the importance of concentration during meditation. Science recognizes mental training's impact on brain activity and emotional functions through meditation practice.
Synonyms: Mental conditioning, Mind training, Psychological conditioning., Intellectual training.
In Dutch: Mentale training
In Finnish: Henkinen koulutus
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Mental training'
Mental training in Buddhism encompasses systematic meditation practices aimed at conditioning the mind, fostering mindfulness, purifying defilements, enhancing concentration, and developing virtues like compassion, ultimately leading to profound insight and balance.
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) The process of developing and conditioning the mind through meditation practices, mentioned as a means to achieve stability and insight.[1] (2) The process involved in developing one’s mind through meditation and disciplined practice, linked with bhavana.[2] (3) The systematic guidance in Buddhism for purifying the mind from defilements to achieve perfect knowledge.[3]
From: Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma
(1) The practice of developing the mind's capabilities through concentration and meditation.[4] (2) The use of techniques to develop the mind and enhance its capabilities.[5]
From: Bodhinyana
(1) The continuous practice of mindfulness and awareness in various postures to cultivate calmness and wisdom.[6] (2) The process of developing and nurturing the mind's ability to maintain focus and balance.[7]
From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara
(1) The practice oriented towards developing the four immeasurables, which facilitates the emergence of bodhicitta.[8]
Hindu concept of 'Mental training'
Mental training in Hinduism involves conditioning the mind to achieve focus and steadiness on a selected object during meditation, enhancing concentration and facilitating spiritual growth through disciplined practice.
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) The process of conditioning the mind to focus and maintain steadiness on a chosen object during meditation.[9]
The concept of Mental training in scientific sources
Mental training involves meditation practices that can lead to significant changes in brain activity and structure, positively impacting emotional and cognitive functions, as indicated by regional sources.
From: AYU (Journal of Research in Ayurveda)
(1) The practice of meditation which is suggested to cause changes in brain activity and structure associated with emotional and cognitive functions.[10]
From: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
(1) Methods such as meditation that aim to enhance human well-being and life satisfaction, recommended in the case study to help manage IBS effectively.[11]