MY PASSION -

The Orange resident developed an initial interest in meditation through his martial arts training and, as a doctor, has researched the practice’s medical benefits.

For the past 10 years he has been practising mindfulness meditation, a form of meditation that aims to develop a relaxed state of concentration by focusing on an object such as the breath.

Dr Cooney said the main objective of mindfulness meditation was to become aware of the body, thoughts and emotions, and at the same time be less troubled by them.

“It gives you a great sense of peace and space,” he said.

“You can use the technique to control your own thoughts and emotions during the day and not get so troubled.”

Dr Cooney is among the doctors who have shown a growing interest in the medical benefits of meditation.

Past studies have focused on the effects of meditation in improving quality of life for cancer patients and people suffering from depression or anxiety.

“Most of the research has been done with cancer patients,” Dr Cooney said.

“(Meditation) reduces pain, it alleviates chronic pain and it relieves anxiety.

“It can help cancer patients cope with what each day throws at them.

“It’s also been shown to help with depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorder.

“For those types of problems it’s using a mental resource to combat mental health issues.”

In recent years, the research has become more sophisticated with the use of blood tests to measure various hormones and immune activity and functional MRI to look at brain activity.

Dr Cooney said some research suggested meditation could aid the development of “natural killer cells” to fight cancer cells.

“The studies aren’t long enough to show increased survival but there’s enough to show it does promote these natural killer cells,” he said.

“The immune system benefits of meditation have been really impressive.”

For the past two years, Dr Cooney has been involved in meditation retreats at Manildra’s retreat centre.

He also practises mindfulness meditation twice a day at home.

“It’s very enjoyable, you have something to look forward to when you get up in the morning,” he said.

“It gives you great ability to cope with the day.”

Dr Cooney will conduct a beginners course in calm abiding meditation, a type of mindfulness meditation, starting on February 24 from 7pm to 8.30pm.

The course will run on Wednesdays for six weeks at Molong’s meditation retreat centre at 1052 Sandy Creek Road.