Estanislao Bachrach, biologist: “When you change the way you breathe, pain calms and suffering disappears”
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Molecular biologist Estanislao Bachrach advocates for emotional stability through sensory intelligence and altered breathing patterns.
- He suggests that changing breathing can alleviate pain and suffering, and that self-knowledge is accessible to everyone, though sometimes requiring guidance.
- Bachrach emphasizes that consistent practice modifies brain structure and function, validating the scientific impact of meditation on well-being.
In a compelling interview with LA NACION, molecular biologist Estanislao Bachrach shared his insights on achieving emotional stability and personal fulfillment through what he terms 'sensory intelligence.' Bachrach proposes a paradigm shift, asserting that true well-being stems not from external possessions but from understanding and cultivating one's inner self.
The best painkillers are in the stomach and when you change the way you breathe, the respiratory patterns, it calms the pain, but above all, suffering disappears
His core message highlights the profound impact of breathwork, stating that altering respiratory patterns can significantly reduce physical pain and, more importantly, eliminate psychological suffering. This accessible tool, he argues, is readily available to all individuals. While acknowledging that self-discovery can be challenging and often benefits from external support—be it a coach, therapist, or trusted friend—Bachrach insists that the path to self-awareness is open to everyone.
I believe that anyone can access it. Many of us cannot access it alone; we need a coach, a therapist, a best friend. Sometimes, one illuminates oneself by reading a book or listening to a podcast. It requires discipline, time, effort, attention – what we adults say we don't have – but I believe anyone can access it.
Bachrach further elaborates on the neurobiological effects of consistent practice, such as meditation. He explains that regular engagement in these practices physically alters the brain's structure and function, particularly enhancing attentional capabilities. This scientific validation, he notes, counters past skepticism rooted in the lack of technological evidence, underscoring that the benefits of practices like meditation are now empirically supported.
Although the word is a bit bastardized or battered, I think it is gaining strength. People are realizing that well-being or decision-making depends not so much on what I have, but on who I am and what I want to be.
The biologist stresses that these tools, though free and easy to learn, demand patience, effort, discipline, and constancy—qualities often perceived as lacking in modern adult life. He distinguishes between biological stress and emotional burdens, framing pain as a natural, transient response, while suffering is a mental construct that can be managed and overcome through conscious effort and practice.
The practice modifies neurons. The structure, and sometimes the function, of certain areas of the brain, of neurons, begins to be modified. Especially attention, because meditating is bringing attention to one place.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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