All this happened, more or less.

Meditation and Neuroscience

...Davidson, whose pioneering brain scans of monks provide tantalizing evidence that emotions like love and compassion are in fact skills—and can be trained to a dramatic degree. Studies also suggest that the monastic life is not a requirement; even brief, regular meditation sessions can yield substantial benefits. Nor is a belief in Buddhism necessary. "I'm convinced that you can make a huge difference in your life if you start out with even 30 minutes a day," Richard says.
http://psyphz.psych.wisc.edu/web/News/Psych_Today_2006.pdf

about Richard J. Davidson: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1187248,00.html http://psyphz.psych.wisc.edu/web/personnel/director.html

Ekman, et all "Buddhist and Psychological Perspectives on Emotions and Well-Being".
http://psyphz.psych.wisc.edu/web/pubs/2005/Ekman_etal_CurrDirPsychSci.pdf

Richard J. Davidson, et all. Emotion, plasticity, context and regulation: Perspectives from affective neuroscience. http://psyphz.psych.wisc.edu/web/pubs/2000/Emotion_Plasticity.pdf