Have you ever wondered why your brain defaults to daydreaming, worrying, or replaying past events whenever you stop working? Neuroscientists attribute this to the Default Mode Network (DMN).
The DMN is a network of interacting brain regions that activates when we are not focused on the outside world. It is highly active during rumination, anxiety, and self-referential thought.
Brain scans show that mindfulness and heartfulness meditation dramatically quiet the DMN. By focusing your attention on the present moment, you shift brain activity to the Task Positive Network (TPN).
With consistent meditation practice, the connections within the DMN weaken, resulting in less daily worry, reduced anxiety, and a calmer, more grounded baseline state. To learn more about this, check out our recommended scientific literature in the [Sanctuary Bookstore](/books).
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