Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Mark J Brenner |
Abstract | The use of Zen Buddhist meditation in clinical practice has received specific attention from mental health disciplines in the West. A study was undertaken to examine the influence of a personal practice of Zen on the professional work of clinical social workers. Ten experienced clinical social workers who were long-term Zen practitioners were interviewed. Findings from this qualitative study suggest that Zen meditation has direct application to clinical social work in three areas: (1) cultivating Awareness, (2) enhancing Acceptance, and (3) nurturing Responsibility. This article reports on the findings in the area of Awareness. Awareness increases a social worker's focus on the present moment with the client, providing for a suspension of preconceived ideas about the client. Building on the view that social work is both art and science, the author proposes the use of Zen in the training of clinical social workers. |
Publication | Social Work in Health Care |
Volume | 48 |
Issue | 4 |
Pages | 462-470 |
Date | 2009 May-Jun |
Journal Abbr | Soc Work Health Care |
DOI | 10.1080/00981380802589860 |
ISSN | 0098-1389 |
Short Title | Zen practice |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19396713 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:22:12 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19396713 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
The use of Zen Buddhist meditation in clinical practice has received specific attention from mental health disciplines in the West. A study was undertaken to examine the influence of a personal practice of Zen on the professional work of clinical social workers. Ten experienced clinical social workers who were long-term Zen practitioners were interviewed. Findings from this qualitative study suggest that Zen meditation has direct application to clinical social work in three areas: (1) cultivating Awareness, (2) enhancing Acceptance, and (3) nurturing Responsibility. This article reports on the findings in the area of Awareness. Awareness increases a social worker’s focus on the present moment with the client, providing for a suspension of preconceived ideas about the client. Building on the view that social work is both art and science, the author proposes the use of Zen in the training of clinical social workers.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | William C Bushell |
Abstract | This chapter briefly reviews recent psychological, physiological, molecular biological, and anthropological research which has important implications, both direct and indirect, for the recognition and understanding of the potential life span and health span enhancing effects of the basic yoga meditational regimen. This regimen consists of meditation, yogic breath control practices, physical exercises (of both a postural- and movement-based, including aerobic nature), and dietary practices. While each of these component categories exhibit variations in different schools, lineages, traditions, and cultures, the focus of this chapter is primarily on basic forms of relaxation meditation and breath control, as well as postural and aerobic physical exercises (e.g., yogic prostration regimens, see below), and a standard form of yogic or ascetic diet, all of which constitute a basic form of regimen found in many if not most cultures, though with variations. |
Publication | Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Volume | 1172 |
Pages | 20-27 |
Date | Aug 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04538.x |
ISSN | 1749-6632 |
Short Title | Longevity |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19735236 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:42:38 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19735236 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
This chapter briefly reviews recent psychological, physiological, molecular biological, and anthropological research which has important implications, both direct and indirect, for the recognition and understanding of the potential life span and health span enhancing effects of the basic yoga meditational regimen. This regimen consists of meditation, yogic breath control practices, physical exercises (of both a postural- and movement-based, including aerobic nature), and dietary practices. While each of these component categories exhibit variations in different schools, lineages, traditions, and cultures, the focus of this chapter is primarily on basic forms of relaxation meditation and breath control, as well as postural and aerobic physical exercises (e.g., yogic prostration regimens, see below), and a standard form of yogic or ascetic diet, all of which constitute a basic form of regimen found in many if not most cultures, though with variations.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | B Rael Cahn |
Author | John Polich |
Abstract | A three-stimulus auditory oddball series was presented to experienced Vipassana meditators during meditation and a control thought period to elicit event-related brain potentials (ERPs) in the two different mental states. The stimuli consisted of a frequent standard tone (500 Hz), an infrequent oddball tone (1000 Hz), and an infrequent distracter (white noise), with all stimuli passively presented through headphones and no task imposed. The strongest meditation compared to control state effects occurred for the distracter stimuli: N1 amplitude from the distracter was reduced frontally during meditation; P2 amplitude from both the distracter and oddball stimuli were somewhat reduced during meditation; P3a amplitude from the distracter was reduced during meditation. The meditation-induced reduction in P3a amplitude was strongest in participants reporting more hours of daily meditation practice and was not evident in participants reporting drowsiness during their experimental meditative session. The findings suggest that meditation state can decrease the amplitude of neurophysiologic processes that subserve attentional engagement elicited by unexpected and distracting stimuli. Consistent with the aim of Vipassana meditation to reduce cognitive and emotional reactivity, the state effect of reduced P3a amplitude to distracting stimuli reflects decreased automated reactivity and evaluative processing of task irrelevant attention-demanding stimuli. |
Publication | International Journal of Psychophysiology: Official Journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology |
Volume | 72 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 51-60 |
Date | Apr 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Int J Psychophysiol |
DOI | 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2008.03.013 |
ISSN | 1872-7697 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/18845193 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:22:17 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 18845193 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
A three-stimulus auditory oddball series was presented to experienced Vipassana meditators during meditation and a control thought period to elicit event-related brain potentials (ERPs) in the two different mental states. The stimuli consisted of a frequent standard tone (500 Hz), an infrequent oddball tone (1000 Hz), and an infrequent distracter (white noise), with all stimuli passively presented through headphones and no task imposed. The strongest meditation compared to control state effects occurred for the distracter stimuli: N1 amplitude from the distracter was reduced frontally during meditation; P2 amplitude from both the distracter and oddball stimuli were somewhat reduced during meditation; P3a amplitude from the distracter was reduced during meditation. The meditation-induced reduction in P3a amplitude was strongest in participants reporting more hours of daily meditation practice and was not evident in participants reporting drowsiness during their experimental meditative session. The findings suggest that meditation state can decrease the amplitude of neurophysiologic processes that subserve attentional engagement elicited by unexpected and distracting stimuli. Consistent with the aim of Vipassana meditation to reduce cognitive and emotional reactivity, the state effect of reduced P3a amplitude to distracting stimuli reflects decreased automated reactivity and evaluative processing of task irrelevant attention-demanding stimuli.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Alberto Chiesa |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE: Despite the growing interest in the neurobiological and clinical correlates of many meditative practices, in particular mindfulness meditations, no review has specifically focused on current evidence on electroencephalographic, neuroimaging, biological, and clinical evidence about an important traditional practice, Zen meditation. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, the ISI Web of Knowledge, the Cochrane collaboration database, and references of selected articles. Randomized controlled and cross-sectional studies with controls published in English prior to May 2008 were included. RESULTS: Electroencephalographic studies on Zen meditation found increased alpha and theta activity, generally related to relaxation, in many brain regions, including the frontal cortex. Theta activity in particular seemed to be related to the degree of experience, being greater in expert practitioners and advanced masters. Moreover, Zen meditation practice could protect from cognitive decline usually associated with age and enhance antioxidant activity. From a clinical point of view, Zen meditation was found to reduce stress and blood pressure, and be efficacious for a variety of conditions, as suggested by positive findings in therapists and musicians. CONCLUSION: To date, actual evidence about Zen meditation is scarce and highlights the necessity of further investigations. Comparison with further active treatments, explanation of possible mechanisms of action, and the limitations of current evidence are discussed. |
Publication | Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.) |
Volume | 15 |
Issue | 5 |
Pages | 585-592 |
Date | May 2009 |
Journal Abbr | J Altern Complement Med |
DOI | 10.1089/acm.2008.0416 |
ISSN | 1557-7708 |
Short Title | Zen meditation |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19422285 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:22:04 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19422285 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Objective: Despite the growing interest in the neurobiological and clinical correlates of many meditative practices, in particular mindfulness meditations, no review has specifically focused on current evidence on electroencephalographic, neuroimaging, biological, and clinical evidence about an important traditional practice, Zen meditation. Methods: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, the ISI Web of Knowledge, the Cochrane collaboration database, and references of selected articles. Randomized controlled and cross-sectional studies with controls published in English prior to May 2008 were included. Results: Electroencephalographic studies on Zen meditation found increased alpha and theta activity, generally related to relaxation, in many brain regions, including the frontal cortex. Theta activity in particular seemed to be related to the degree of experience, being greater in expert practitioners and advanced masters. Moreover, Zen meditation practice could protect from cognitive decline usually associated with age and enhance antioxidant activity. From a clinical point of view, Zen meditation was found to reduce stress and blood pressure, and be efficacious for a variety of conditions, as suggested by positive findings in therapists and musicians. Conclusion: To date, actual evidence about Zen meditation is scarce and highlights the necessity of further investigations. Comparison with further active treatments, explanation of possible mechanisms of action, and the limitations of current evidence are discussed.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Pamela D. Hall |
Publication | Journal of Black Studies |
Volume | 29 |
Issue | 3 |
Pages | 408-415 |
Date | Jan., 1999 |
ISSN | 00219347 |
URL | http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.bu.edu/stable/2668066 |
Accessed | Tue Oct 20 21:51:58 2009 |
Library Catalog | JSTOR |
Extra | ArticleType: primary_article / Full publication date: Jan., 1999 / Copyright © 1999 Sage Publications, Inc. |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | William Hathaway |
Author | Erica Tan |
Abstract | The interface of religiously accommodative and oriented treatments and the cognitive–behavioral tradition is explored. In terms of Hayes' characterization of the evolution of the cognitive–behavioral tradition through three waves, considerable theoretical, clinical, and empirical work emerged to support a religiously accommodative cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) during the second-generation CBTs. Rather than including religion and spirituality, the third-wave CBT traditions have engaged in spiritual themes inspired heavily from Eastern religious traditions. The authors discuss the application of a religiously congruent third-wave cognitive therapy with a depressed conservatively Christian client. Some conceptual challenges and rationales for adopting such treatments with Christian or other theist clients are described. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 65:158–171, 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
Publication | Journal of Clinical Psychology |
Volume | 65 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 158-171 |
Date | February 2009 |
ISSN | 00219762 |
Library Catalog | EBSCOhost |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | C.H. Hsieh |
Author | C.H. Liou |
Author | C.W. Hsieh |
Author | C.H. Wang |
Author | L.K. Ho |
Author | J.H. Chen |
Abstract | Introduction Although the meditation mechanism underlie remain uncertain for these effects on body and mind for the past decades, many scientists worked on the researches of brain mappings for various meditation styles. Since different meditation methods may activate different regions in brain. Lazar et al. [1] studied a form of meditation with fMRI. We also had a previous study by using fMRI [2]. In this study, we would like to compare positive and negative activation areas of the brain during the meditation with nine-word phrase, and one is just practiced the breath with the phrase that contained nine words. The first word was matched with inhaling and following the next with exhaling alternately during the meditation period. Blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) based fMRI were used to examine the brain functions. Methods There are four subjects scanned three times, one is 36-year-old, right-handed female, had practiced meditation for twelve years, and others are 36-year-old, right-handed male, had practiced meditation from fifteen to seventeen years. The paradigm is proceeded as below: two periods of meditation state, each with 3 minutes, and three control states with 3 minutes put before, between and after those two meditation epoch. Total scan time is 15 minutes. Experiments were performed on a Bruker MEDSPEC 3T system (Bruker, Ettlingen, Germany). Images were acquired using gradient-echo echo planar image (EPI) with matrix size of 128×128, TE of 35 ms, and TR of 6 sec. The raw data were analyzed with SPM2 [3], and the preprocessing were realignment, coregistration, normalization of Talairach space, smoothness with FWHM of 8 mm, and were applied FFX statistics (FWE corrected, p<0.05). Results The results showed as below: positive activation brain areas of right hemisphere were anterior cingulate cortex of limbic lobe, supramarginal gyrus (BA 40) of parietal lobe, superior temporal (BA 22) of temporal lobe, precuneus (BA 7) of parietal lobe, superior occipital gyrus (BA 19) of occipital lobe, medial frontal gyrus (BA 6) of frontal lobe, culmen and thalamus (fig. 1). In the left cerebellum, the activation areas were precentral gyrus (BA 4) of frontal lobe and paracentral lobule (BA 31) of frontal lobe; Negative ones of right hemisphere: middle frontal gyrus (BA 10) of frontal lobe, tuber of posterior lobe; for left hemisphere, superior temporal gyrus (BA 10) of frontal lobe, superior frontal gyrus (BA8) of frontal lobe, middle frontal gyrus (BA 9) of frontal lobe. (fig. 2). Conclusions We found that positive activation areas of the meditation with nine-word phrase were shown mainly on right hemisphere, and negative ones were just appeared mostly on left hemisphere. It displayed that meditation practice induced positive and negative activation areas concerned with various cognitive functions. However, maybe we could screen the same activation regions during different meditation forms, and construct the roles of each area for the mechanism step by step. |
Publication | NeuroImage |
Volume | 47 |
Issue | Supplement 1 |
Pages | S133 |
Date | July 2009 |
DOI | 10.1016/S1053-8119(09)71300-X |
ISSN | 1053-8119 |
URL | http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.bu.edu/science/article/B6WNP-4X3PHYG-1MD/2/f27aab0a75417c6b11d63cbb144a748f |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 18:32:22 2009 |
Library Catalog | ScienceDirect |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Although the meditation mechanism underlie remain uncertain for these effects on body and mind for the past decades, many scientists worked on the researches of brain mappings for various meditation styles. Since different meditation methods may activate different regions in brain. Lazar et al. [1] studied a form of meditation with fMRI. We also had a previous study by using fMRI [2]. In this study, we would like to compare positive and negative activation areas of the brain during the meditation with nine-word phrase, and one is just practiced the breath with the phrase that contained nine words. The first word was matched with inhaling and following the next with exhaling alternately during the meditation period. Blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) based fMRI were used to examine the brain functions.
There are four subjects scanned three times, one is 36-year-old, right-handed female, had practiced meditation for twelve years, and others are 36-year-old, right-handed male, had practiced meditation from fifteen to seventeen years. The paradigm is proceeded as below: two periods of meditation state, each with 3 minutes, and three control states with 3 minutes put before, between and after those two meditation epoch. Total scan time is 15 minutes. Experiments were performed on a Bruker MEDSPEC 3T system (Bruker, Ettlingen, Germany). Images were acquired using gradient-echo echo planar image (EPI) with matrix size of 128×128, TE of 35 ms, and TR of 6 sec. The raw data were analyzed with SPM2 [3], and the preprocessing were realignment, coregistration, normalization of Talairach space, smoothness with FWHM of 8 mm, and were applied FFX statistics (FWE corrected, p<0.05).
The results showed as below: positive activation brain areas of right hemisphere were anterior cingulate cortex of limbic lobe, supramarginal gyrus (BA 40) of parietal lobe, superior temporal (BA 22) of temporal lobe, precuneus (BA 7) of parietal lobe, superior occipital gyrus (BA 19) of occipital lobe, medial frontal gyrus (BA 6) of frontal lobe, culmen and thalamus (fig. 1). In the left cerebellum, the activation areas were precentral gyrus (BA 4) of frontal lobe and paracentral lobule (BA 31) of frontal lobe; Negative ones of right hemisphere: middle frontal gyrus (BA 10) of frontal lobe, tuber of posterior lobe; for left hemisphere, superior temporal gyrus (BA 10) of frontal lobe, superior frontal gyrus (BA8) of frontal lobe, middle frontal gyrus (BA 9) of frontal lobe. (fig. 2).
We found that positive activation areas of the meditation with nine-word phrase were shown mainly on right hemisphere, and negative ones were just appeared mostly on left hemisphere. It displayed that meditation practice induced positive and negative activation areas concerned with various cognitive functions. However, maybe we could screen the same activation regions during different meditation forms, and construct the roles of each area for the mechanism step by step.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Zoran Josipovic |
Abstract | The great variety of meditation techniques found in different contemplative traditions presents a challenge when attempting to create taxonomies based on the constructs of contemporary cognitive sciences. In the current issue of Consciousness and Cognition, Travis and Shear add 'automatic self-transcending' to the previously proposed categories of 'focused attention' and 'open monitoring', and suggest characteristic EEG bands as the defining criteria for each of the three categories. Accuracy of current taxonomies and potential limitations of EEG measurements as classifying criteria are discussed. |
Publication | Consciousness and Cognition |
Volume | 19 |
Issue | 4 |
Pages | 1119-1121; discussion 1122-1123 |
Date | 2010 December |
Journal Abbr | Conscious Cogn |
DOI | 10.1016/j.concog.2010.03.016 |
ISSN | 1090-2376 |
Accessed | Tue Jan 18 18:58:39 2011 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 20385506 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 08:58:46 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 08:58:46 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | John Jouper |
Author | Peter Hassmén |
Author | Mattias Johansson |
Abstract | Regular physical activity has many positive health effects. Despite this, approximately 50% of all adults are not exercising enough to enjoy better health and may, therefore, need an alternative to vigorous physical exercise. Qigong offers a gentle way to exercise the body. A questionnaire sample of 253 participants was collected and correlations with the variable health-now were analyzed. Results showed that health-now was positively correlated with number of completed qigong courses (p < 0.05), with level of concentration (p < 0.01), session-time (p < 0.01), and years of practice (p < 0.05). Among these variables, concentration predicts an increased feeling of health (R(2) = 0.092). Qigong exercise thereby seems to offer a viable alternative to other more vigorous physical activities when wellness is the primary goal. When interpreted using self-determination theory, qigong seems to satisfy needs related to autonomy, competence and relatedness, thereby, primarily attracting individuals who are intrinsically motivated. |
Publication | The American Journal of Chinese Medicine |
Volume | 34 |
Issue | 6 |
Pages | 949-957 |
Date | 2006 |
Journal Abbr | Am. J. Chin. Med |
ISSN | 0192-415X |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/17163584 |
Accessed | Mon Nov 2 13:09:22 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 17163584 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Regular physical activity has many positive health effects. Despite this, approximately 50% of all adults are not exercising enough to enjoy better health and may, therefore, need an alternative to vigorous physical exercise. Qigong offers a gentle way to exercise the body. A questionnaire sample of 253 participants was collected and correlations with the variable health-now were analyzed. Results showed that health-now was positively correlated with number of completed qigong courses (p < 0.05), with level of concentration (p < 0.01), session-time (p < 0.01), and years of practice (p < 0.05). Among these variables, concentration predicts an increased feeling of health (R(2) = 0.092). Qigong exercise thereby seems to offer a viable alternative to other more vigorous physical activities when wellness is the primary goal. When interpreted using self-determination theory, qigong seems to satisfy needs related to autonomy, competence and relatedness, thereby, primarily attracting individuals who are intrinsically motivated.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Maria Kozhevnikov |
Author | Olga Louchakova |
Author | Zoran Josipovic |
Author | Michael A Motes |
Abstract | This study examined the effects of meditation on mental imagery, evaluating Buddhist monks' reports concerning their extraordinary imagery skills. Practitioners of Buddhist meditation were divided into two groups according to their preferred meditation style: Deity Yoga (focused attention on an internal visual image) or Open Presence (evenly distributed attention, not directed to any particular object). Both groups of meditators completed computerized mental-imagery tasks before and after meditation. Their performance was compared with that of control groups, who either rested or performed other visuospatial tasks between testing sessions. The results indicate that all the groups performed at the same baseline level, but after meditation, Deity Yoga practitioners demonstrated a dramatic increase in performance on imagery tasks compared with the other groups. The results suggest that Deity meditation specifically trains one's capacity to access heightened visuospatial processing resources, rather than generally improving visuospatial imagery abilities. |
Publication | Psychological Science: A Journal of the American Psychological Society / APS |
Volume | 20 |
Issue | 5 |
Pages | 645-653 |
Date | May 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Psychol Sci |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02345.x |
ISSN | 1467-9280 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19476594 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:22:08 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19476594 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
This study examined the effects of meditation on mental imagery, evaluating Buddhist monks’ reports concerning their extraordinary imagery skills. Practitioners of Buddhist meditation were divided into two groups according to their preferred meditation style: Deity Yoga (focused attention on an internal visual image) or Open Presence (evenly distributed attention, not directed to any particular object). Both groups of meditators completed computerized mental-imagery tasks before and after meditation. Their performance was compared with that of control groups, who either rested or performed other visuospatial tasks between testing sessions. The results indicate that all the groups performed at the same baseline level, but after meditation, Deity Yoga practitioners demonstrated a dramatic increase in performance on imagery tasks compared with the other groups. The results suggest that Deity meditation specifically trains one’s capacity to access heightened visuospatial processing resources, rather than generally improving visuospatial imagery abilities.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Jin Li |
Author | Jing Hu |
Author | Yinhong Zhang |
Author | Xiaofeng Zhang |
Abstract | Detection of dynamical complexity changes in natural and man-made systems has deep scientific and practical meaning. We use the base-scale entropy method to analyze dynamical complexity changes for heart rate variability (HRV) series during specific traditional forms of Chinese Chi and Kundalini previous termYoga meditationnext term techniques in healthy young adults. The results show that dynamical complexity decreases in previous termmeditationnext term states for two forms of previous termmeditation.next term Meanwhile, we detected changes in probability distribution of m-words during previous termmeditationnext term and explained this changes using probability distribution of sine function. The base-scale entropy method may be used on a wider range of physiologic signals. |
Publication | Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications |
Volume | 390 |
Issue | 12 |
Pages | 2381-2387 |
Date | 6/2011 |
Journal Abbr | Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications |
DOI | 10.1016/j.physa.2011.02.003 |
ISSN | 03784371 |
URL | http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0378437111001117 |
Accessed | Wed Jul 13 18:28:05 2011 |
Library Catalog | CrossRef |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 08:54:25 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 08:54:25 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Taruna Mallick |
Author | Ravi Kulkarni |
Abstract | OBJECTIVES: The study objective was to study the change in the critical flicker fusion (CFF) after a yogic visual concentration practice (trataka). DESIGN: Thirty (30) subjects participated in a study where they were evaluated for the CFF immediately before and after the practice. The subjects also participated in a comparable control session. SUBJECTS: The subjects were 30 volunteers in the age range 25-40. Fifteen (15) of the volunteers were male. The mean age was 31.33 ± 4.67. RESULTS: The CFF showed a statistically significant increase from 37.35 ± 2.84 to 38.66 ± 2.91 after the yoga practice of trataka. The control session did not produce a statistically significant change in the CFF. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the CFF is seen immediately after the yogic concentration practice called trataka. |
Publication | Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.) |
Volume | 16 |
Issue | 12 |
Pages | 1265-1267 |
Date | Dec 2010 |
Journal Abbr | J Altern Complement Med |
DOI | 10.1089/acm.2010.0012 |
ISSN | 1557-7708 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/21091294 |
Accessed | Tue Jan 18 18:59:57 2011 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 21091294 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 08:58:27 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 08:58:27 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Erin L Olivo |
Abstract | The Indo-Tibetan tradition claims that proficiency in the suggested longevity practices of meditation, diet, and physical exercise (yoga), will result in profound anti-aging, stress-mediating and health enhancing effects. Western biomedical research has begun to demonstrate that the psychobiological states induced and cultivated by cognitive behavioral practices which are emblematic of those contained within the Indo-Tibetan tradition (hypnosis, meditation, visualization, systematic relaxation), indeed do have a profound impact on the body's protective and regulatory systems. Although continued study is necessary, much of the early research illuminating the mechanisms responsible for the life-span extending and health-enhancing effects of these cognitive behavioral practices points to the importance of their anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, and antioxidant effects as well as their impact in enhancing the production of endogenous substances that possess general longevity-enhancing, regenerative properties. |
Publication | Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Volume | 1172 |
Pages | 163-171 |
Date | Aug 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04415.x |
ISSN | 1749-6632 |
Short Title | Protection throughout the life span |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19735248 |
Accessed | Fri Feb 4 11:16:20 2011 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19735248 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:05:38 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:05:38 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Erin L Olivo |
Abstract | The Indo-Tibetan tradition claims that proficiency in the suggested longevity practices of meditation, diet, and physical exercise (yoga), will result in profound anti-aging, stress-mediating and health enhancing effects. Western biomedical research has begun to demonstrate that the psychobiological states induced and cultivated by cognitive behavioral practices which are emblematic of those contained within the Indo-Tibetan tradition (hypnosis, meditation, visualization, systematic relaxation), indeed do have a profound impact on the body's protective and regulatory systems. Although continued study is necessary, much of the early research illuminating the mechanisms responsible for the life-span extending and health-enhancing effects of these cognitive behavioral practices points to the importance of their anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, and antioxidant effects as well as their impact in enhancing the production of endogenous substances that possess general longevity-enhancing, regenerative properties. |
Publication | Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Volume | 1172 |
Pages | 163-171 |
Date | Aug 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04415.x |
ISSN | 1749-6632 |
Short Title | Protection throughout the life span |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19735248 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:41:29 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19735248 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
The Indo-Tibetan tradition claims that proficiency in the suggested longevity practices of meditation, diet, and physical exercise (yoga), will result in profound anti-aging, stress-mediating and health enhancing effects. Western biomedical research has begun to demonstrate that the psychobiological states induced and cultivated by cognitive behavioral practices which are emblematic of those contained within the Indo-Tibetan tradition (hypnosis, meditation, visualization, systematic relaxation), indeed do have a profound impact on the body’s protective and regulatory systems. Although continued study is necessary, much of the early research illuminating the mechanisms responsible for the life-span extending and health-enhancing effects of these cognitive behavioral practices points to the importance of their anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, and antioxidant effects as well as their impact in enhancing the production of endogenous substances that possess general longevity-enhancing, regenerative properties.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Maria B Ospina |
Author | Kenneth Bond |
Author | Mohammad Karkhaneh |
Author | Nina Buscemi |
Author | Donna M Dryden |
Author | Vernon Barnes |
Author | Linda E Carlson |
Author | Jeffery A Dusek |
Author | David Shannahoff-Khalsa |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To provide a descriptive overview of the clinical trials assessing meditation practices for health care. DESIGN: Systematic review of the literature. Comprehensive searches were conducted in 17 electronic bibliographic databases through September 2005. Other sources of potentially relevant studies included hand searches, reference tracking, contacting experts, and gray literature searches. Included studies were clinical trials with 10 or more adult participants using any meditation practice, providing quantitative data on health-related outcomes, and published in English. Two independent reviewers assessed study relevance, extracted the data, and assessed the methodological quality of the studies. RESULTS: Four hundred clinical trials on meditation (72% described as randomized) were included in the review (publication years 1956-2005). Five broad categories of meditation practices were identified: mantra meditation, mindfulness meditation, yoga, t'ai chi, and qigong. The three most studied clinical conditions were hypertension, miscellaneous cardiovascular diseases, and substance abuse. Psychosocial measures were the most frequently reported outcomes. Outcome measures of psychiatric and psychological symptoms dominate the outcomes of interest. Overall, the methodological quality of clinical trials is poor, but has significantly improved over time by 0.014 points every year (95% CI, 0.005, 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Most clinical trials on meditation practices are generally characterized by poor methodological quality with significant threats to validity in every major quality domain assessed. Despite a statistically significant improvement in the methodological quality over time, it is imperative that future trials on meditation be rigorous in design, execution, analysis, and the reporting of results. |
Publication | Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.) |
Volume | 14 |
Issue | 10 |
Pages | 1199-1213 |
Date | Dec 2008 |
Journal Abbr | J Altern Complement Med |
DOI | 10.1089/acm.2008.0307 |
ISSN | 1557-7708 |
Short Title | Clinical trials of meditation practices in health care |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19123875 |
Accessed | Mon Nov 2 13:03:56 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19123875 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Objective: To provide a descriptive overview of the clinical trials assessing meditation practices for health care. Design: Systematic review of the literature. Comprehensive searches were conducted in 17 electronic bibliographic databases through September 2005. Other sources of potentially relevant studies included hand searches, reference tracking, contacting experts, and gray literature searches. Included studies were clinical trials with 10 or more adult participants using any meditation practice, providing quantitative data on health-related outcomes, and published in English. Two independent reviewers assessed study relevance, extracted the data, and assessed the methodological quality of the studies. Results: Four hundred clinical trials on meditation (72% described as randomized) were included in the review (publication years 1956-2005). Five broad categories of meditation practices were identified: mantra meditation, mindfulness meditation, yoga, t’ai chi, and qigong. The three most studied clinical conditions were hypertension, miscellaneous cardiovascular diseases, and substance abuse. Psychosocial measures were the most frequently reported outcomes. Outcome measures of psychiatric and psychological symptoms dominate the outcomes of interest. Overall, the methodological quality of clinical trials is poor, but has significantly improved over time by 0.014 points every year (95% CI, 0.005, 0.023). Conclusions: Most clinical trials on meditation practices are generally characterized by poor methodological quality with significant threats to validity in every major quality domain assessed. Despite a statistically significant improvement in the methodological quality over time, it is imperative that future trials on meditation be rigorous in design, execution, analysis, and the reporting of results.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Caroline Peressutti |
Author | Juan M. Martín-González |
Author | Juan García-Manso |
Author | Denkô Mesa |
Abstract | The dynamic interactions among physiological rhythms imbedded in the heart rate signal can give valuable insights into autonomic modulation in conditions of reduced outward attention. Therefore, in this study we analyzed the heart rate variability (HRV) in different levels of practice in Zen meditation (Zazen). Nineteen subjects with variable experience took part in this study. In four special cases we collected both HRV and respiration data. The time series were analyzed in frequency domain and also using the Continuous Wavelet Transform, which detects changes in the time domain and in the frequency domain simultaneously. The shifts in the respiratory modulation of heart rate, or respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), reflect the different levels of practice among practitioners with variable experience in Zazen; in turn the modulation of the RSA may reflect changes in the breathing pattern as in the parasympathetic outflow related to the quality and focus of attention in each stage. |
Publication | International Journal of Cardiology |
Volume | 145 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 142-146 |
Date | November 5, 2010 |
DOI | 10.1016/j.ijcard.2009.06.058 |
ISSN | 0167-5273 |
URL | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T16-4WV5BC4-4/2/ffd196b6a045356405d9333b82d524d3 |
Accessed | Mon Dec 13 20:29:00 2010 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 08:59:00 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 08:59:00 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Todd LeRoy Perreira |
Abstract | The author reports on the demand of the transformation of the self as a living subject and moral agent at the time of death in Islam and Buddhism. These two call for the acquisition of a certain knowledge of the self, of understanding the spiritual necessity and urgency of “dying” before dying, and the realization that such a “death” must be achieved while one is still very much alive here. |
Publication | The Muslim World |
Volume | 100 |
Issue | 2-3 |
Pages | 247-267 |
Date | 04/2010 |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1478-1913.2010.01319.x |
ISSN | 00274909 |
URL | http://blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1478-1913.2010.01319.x |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:03:48 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:03:48 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Paul Posadzki |
Author | Samantha Jacques |
Abstract | The aim of this article is to review the literature on Tai Chi and meditation. A coherent construct is developed that includes a comparative analysis and conceptual synthesis of existing theories. The authors discuss a set of assumptions that justify this synthesis; they also argue that this construct would facilitate greater understanding of Tai Chi from the perspective of meditation. Such synthesis may bring "additional" benefits to Tai Chi practitioners as they could recognize that this mind-body technique holds the essence of meditation. Within the scope of this article, the evidence shows a majority of common features when concerning Tai Chi and meditation. These mutual similarities should be taken into account when performing this type of mind-body medicine by patients and/or therapists. Finally, the authors suggest that this inspiring compilation of movements and mindfulness can be used for practical purposes. |
Publication | Journal of Holistic Nursing: Official Journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association |
Volume | 27 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 103-114 |
Date | Jun 2009 |
Journal Abbr | J Holist Nurs |
DOI | 10.1177/0898010108330807 |
ISSN | 0898-0101 |
Short Title | Tai chi and meditation |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19443697 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:19:50 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19443697 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
The aim of this article is to review the literature on Tai Chi and meditation. A coherent construct is developed that includes a comparative analysis and conceptual synthesis of existing theories. The authors discuss a set of assumptions that justify this synthesis; they also argue that this construct would facilitate greater understanding of Tai Chi from the perspective of meditation. Such synthesis may bring “additional” benefits to Tai Chi practitioners as they could recognize that this mind-body technique holds the essence of meditation. Within the scope of this article, the evidence shows a majority of common features when concerning Tai Chi and meditation. These mutual similarities should be taken into account when performing this type of mind-body medicine by patients and/or therapists. Finally, the authors suggest that this inspiring compilation of movements and mindfulness can be used for practical purposes.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Zhen Qin |
Author | Yi Jin |
Author | Shin Lin |
Author | Neal S Hermanowicz |
Abstract | A follow-up EEG study was conducted on a subject with 50 years of experiences in Qigong. Resting EEG at present showed frontally dominant alpha-1 as compared to occipitally dominant alpha-2 described in 1962. During the Qigong practice alph-1 enhanced quickly and became far more prominent than 50 years ago. Compared with baseline, these activities remained to be higher at rest after the Qigong practice. These results suggest that extended practice in meditation may change the EEG pattern and its underlying neurophysiology. It remains to be explored as to what biological significance and clinical relevance do these physiological changes might mean. |
Publication | The International Journal of Neuroscience |
Volume | 119 |
Issue | 4 |
Pages | 538-552 |
Date | 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Int. J. Neurosci |
DOI | 10.1080/00207450802325520 |
ISSN | 1563-5279 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19229721 |
Accessed | Mon Nov 2 13:01:56 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19229721 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
A follow-up EEG study was conducted on a subject with 50 years of experiences in Qigong. Resting EEG at present showed frontally dominant alpha-1 as compared to occipitally dominant alpha-2 described in 1962. During the Qigong practice alph-1 enhanced quickly and became far more prominent than 50 years ago. Compared with baseline, these activities remained to be higher at rest after the Qigong practice. These results suggest that extended practice in meditation may change the EEG pattern and its underlying neurophysiology. It remains to be explored as to what biological significance and clinical relevance do these physiological changes might mean.
Type | Book |
---|---|
Author | Matthieu Ricard |
Place | New York |
Publisher | Atlantic Books |
Date | 2010-01-01 |
ISBN | 1848870752 |
Library Catalog | Amazon.com |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:04:35 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:04:35 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | J C Smith |
Publication | Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology |
Volume | 44 |
Issue | 4 |
Pages | 630-637 |
Date | Aug 1976 |
Journal Abbr | J Consult Clin Psychol |
ISSN | 0022-006X |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/939847 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 5 14:15:04 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 939847 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Bruce M. Sullivan |
Author | Bill Wiist |
Author | Heidi Wayment |
Abstract | In an effort to contribute to the understanding of contemporary Western Buddhism, an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Northern Arizona University wrote a set of questions to elicit data from Buddhist practitioners. In addition to demographic questions, we included questions on health and health-related practices, and psychological characteristics, drawing from previously used measures (see Wiist et al. 2010). For the Buddhist practices segment of the survey, all the questions were written by the researchers. With the religious practices segment of the survey, we sought (among other things) to test four hypotheses concerning contemporary Western Buddhist practitioners: * 1 Contemporary Western Buddhist practitioners are more likely to identify themselves as Buddhist than as members of other religious traditions and to have marked that identity in a formal way such as pronouncing the Three Refuges formula. * 2 Contemporary Western Buddhist practitioners are more likely to engage in meditation than to attend Buddhist religious services supervised by clergy. * 3 Contemporary Western Buddhist practitioners who engage in meditation are more likely to engage in a variety of meditative practices, practices that they regard as identifiably distinct, than to engage in a single meditative technique. * 4 Buddhist practitioners today engage in conscious efforts to increase loving-kindness and compassion through meditation practices. |
Publication | CrossCurrents |
Volume | 60 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 185-207 |
Date | 06/2010 |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1939-3881.2010.00119.x |
ISSN | 00111953 |
URL | http://blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1939-3881.2010.00119.x |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:03:23 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:03:23 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Fred Travis |
Author | Jonathan Shear |
Abstract | This paper proposes a third meditation-category--automatic self-transcending--to extend the dichotomy of focused attention and open monitoring proposed by Lutz. Automatic self-transcending includes techniques designed to transcend their own activity. This contrasts with focused attention, which keeps attention focused on an object; and open monitoring, which keeps attention involved in the monitoring process. Each category was assigned EEG bands, based on reported brain patterns during mental tasks, and meditations were categorized based on their reported EEG. Focused attention, characterized by beta/gamma activity, included meditations from Tibetan Buddhist, Buddhist, and Chinese traditions. Open monitoring, characterized by theta activity, included meditations from Buddhist, Chinese, and Vedic traditions. Automatic self-transcending, characterized by alpha1 activity, included meditations from Vedic and Chinese traditions. Between categories, the included meditations differed in focus, subject/object relation, and procedures. These findings shed light on the common mistake of averaging meditations together to determine mechanisms or clinical effects. |
Publication | Consciousness and Cognition |
Volume | 19 |
Issue | 4 |
Pages | 1110-1118 |
Date | Dec 2010 |
Journal Abbr | Conscious Cogn |
DOI | 10.1016/j.concog.2010.01.007 |
ISSN | 1090-2376 |
Short Title | Focused attention, open monitoring and automatic self-transcending |
Accessed | Tue Jan 18 18:58:41 2011 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 20167507 |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 08:58:46 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 08:58:46 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Frederick Travis |
Author | Jonathan Shear |
Abstract | We agree with Josipovic that a fundamental differentiating feature of meditation techniques is whether they remain within the dualistic subject-object cognitive structure, or they transcend this structure to reveal an underlying level of non-dual awareness. Further discussion is needed to delineate the basic non-dual experience in meditation, where all phenomenal content is absent, from the more advanced experience of non-duality in daily life, where phenomenal content is obviously present as well. In this discussion, it is important to recognize that the experiencer-object relation makes the experience dual or non-dual, rather than the nature of the object experienced. |
Publication | Consciousness and Cognition |
Volume | 19 |
Issue | 4 |
Pages | 1122-1123 |
Date | December 2010 |
DOI | 10.1016/j.concog.2010.04.003 |
ISSN | 1053-8100 |
Short Title | Reply to Josipovic |
Accessed | Tue Jan 18 20:05:59 2011 |
Library Catalog | ScienceDirect |
Date Added | Thu Sep 29 08:58:46 2011 |
Modified | Thu Sep 29 08:58:46 2011 |
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Francisca M Vera |
Author | Juan M Manzaneque |
Author | Enrique F Maldonado |
Author | Gabriel A Carranque |
Author | Francisco M Rodriguez |
Author | Maria J Blanca |
Author | Miguel Morell |
Abstract | Yoga represents a fascinating mind-body approach, wherein body movements (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation are integrated into a single multidimensional practice. Numerous beneficial mental and physical effects have been classically ascribed to this holistic ancient method. The purpose of the present study has been to examine the effects of long-term yoga practice on Subjective Sleep Quality (SSQ) and on several hormonal parameters of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Twenty-six subjects (16 experimental and 10 controls) were recruited to be part of the study. Experimental subjects were regular yoga practitioners with a minimum of 3 years of practice. Blood samples for the quantification of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) were drawn from all subjects. Likewise, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was employed to assess SSQ. As statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U-test was performed. The yoga group displayed lower PSQI scores and higher blood cortisol levels than control subjects. Therefore, it can be concluded that long-term yoga practice is associated with significant psycho-biological differences, including better sleep quality as well as a modulatory action on the levels of cortisol. These preliminary results suggest interesting clinical implications which should be further researched. |
Publication | Biological Psychology |
Volume | 81 |
Issue | 3 |
Pages | 164-168 |
Date | Jul 2009 |
Journal Abbr | Biol Psychol |
DOI | 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2009.03.008 |
ISSN | 1873-6246 |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19482233 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 26 15:45:36 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 19482233 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Yoga represents a fascinating mind-body approach, wherein body movements (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation are integrated into a single multidimensional practice. Numerous beneficial mental and physical effects have been classically ascribed to this holistic ancient method. The purpose of the present study has been to examine the effects of long-term yoga practice on Subjective Sleep Quality (SSQ) and on several hormonal parameters of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Twenty-six subjects (16 experimental and 10 controls) were recruited to be part of the study. Experimental subjects were regular yoga practitioners with a minimum of 3 years of practice. Blood samples for the quantification of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) were drawn from all subjects. Likewise, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was employed to assess SSQ. As statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U-test was performed. The yoga group displayed lower PSQI scores and higher blood cortisol levels than control subjects. Therefore, it can be concluded that long-term yoga practice is associated with significant psycho-biological differences, including better sleep quality as well as a modulatory action on the levels of cortisol. These preliminary results suggest interesting clinical implications which should be further researched.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Ernest Volinn |
Abstract | This paper examines membership in a certain type of New Religious group-viz. those whose members leave the larger society of their own volition in order to participate in meditation and other practices from the East. The data include field observations, responses from a structure interview, and semi-structured, tape-recorded interviews. A model of membership is proposed: individuals with IA) a psychotherapeutic orientation who are IB) structurally available for II) in depth drug experimentation III) seek an alternative to the drug highs without the lows. In the great majority of societies, there is some built-in way of entering a meditative state, some release from the here-and-now other than drugs or alcohol. This society is one of the few exceptions. Members of New Religious groups such as the ashram may be seen as those who have found, in a corner of this society, a way of entering a meditative state. |
Publication | Sociological Analysis |
Volume | 46 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 147-156 |
Date | Summer, 1985 |
ISSN | 00380210 |
Short Title | Eastern Meditation Groups |
URL | http://www.jstor.org.ezproxy.bu.edu/stable/3711057 |
Accessed | Sun Nov 8 23:34:24 2009 |
Library Catalog | JSTOR |
Extra | ArticleType: primary_article / Full publication date: Summer, 1985 / Copyright © 1985 Association for the Sociology of Religion, Inc. |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
This paper examines membership in a certain type of New Religious group-viz. those whose members leave the larger society of their own volition in order to participate in meditation and other practices from the East. The data include field observations, responses from a structure interview, and semi-structured, tape-recorded interviews. A model of membership is proposed: individuals with IA) a psychotherapeutic orientation who are IB) structurally available for II) in depth drug experimentation III) seek an alternative to the drug highs without the lows. In the great majority of societies, there is some built-in way of entering a meditative state, some release from the here-and-now other than drugs or alcohol. This society is one of the few exceptions. Members of New Religious groups such as the ashram may be seen as those who have found, in a corner of this society, a way of entering a meditative state.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Amy Wachholtz |
Author | Kenneth Pargament |
Abstract | This study compared secular and spiritual forms of meditation to assess the benefits of a spiritual intervention. Participants were taught a meditation or relaxation technique to practice for 20 min a day for two weeks. After two weeks, participants returned to the lab, practiced their technique for 20 min, and placed their hand in a cold-water bath of 2°C for as long as they could endure it. The length of time that individuals kept their hand in the water bath was measured. Pain, anxiety, mood, and the spiritual health were assessed following the two-week intervention. Significant interactions occurred (time × group); the Spiritual Meditation group had greater decreases in anxiety and more positive mood, spiritual health, and spiritual experiences than the other two groups. They also tolerated pain almost twice as long as the other two groups. |
Publication | Journal of Behavioral Medicine |
Volume | 28 |
Issue | 4 |
Pages | 369-384 |
Date | 2005 |
DOI | 10.1007/s10865-005-9008-5 |
Short Title | Is Spirituality a Critical Ingredient of Meditation? |
URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10865-005-9008-5 |
Accessed | Sat Sep 5 13:23:40 2009 |
Library Catalog | SpringerLink |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
This study compared secular and spiritual forms of meditation to assess the benefits of a spiritual intervention. Participants were taught a meditation or relaxation technique to practice for 20 min a day for two weeks. After two weeks, participants returned to the lab, practiced their technique for 20 min, and placed their hand in a cold-water bath of 2°C for as long as they could endure it. The length of time that individuals kept their hand in the water bath was measured. Pain, anxiety, mood, and the spiritual health were assessed following the two-week intervention. Significant interactions occurred (time × group); the Spiritual Meditation group had greater decreases in anxiety and more positive mood, spiritual health, and spiritual experiences than the other two groups. They also tolerated pain almost twice as long as the other two groups.
Type | Journal Article |
---|---|
Author | Amy B Wachholtz |
Author | Kenneth I Pargament |
Abstract | Migraine headaches are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety (Waldie and Poulton Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 72: 86-92, 2002) and feelings of low self-efficacy (French et al. Headache, 40: 647-656, 2000). Previous research suggests that spiritual meditation may ameliorate some of the negative traits associated with migraine headaches (Wachholtz and Pargament Journal of behavioral Medicine, 30: 311-318, 2005). This study examined two primary questions: (1) Is spiritual meditation more effective in enhancing pain tolerance and reducing migraine headache related symptoms than secular meditation and relaxation? and, (2) Does spiritual meditation create better mental, physical, and spiritual health outcomes than secular meditation and relaxation techniques? Eighty-three meditation naïve, frequent migraineurs were taught Spiritual Meditation, Internally Focused Secular Meditation, Externally Focused Secular Meditation, or Muscle Relaxation which participants practiced for 20 min a day for one month. Pre-post tests measured pain tolerance (with a cold pressor task), headache frequency, and mental and spiritual health variables. Compared to the other three groups, those who practiced spiritual meditation had greater decreases in the frequency of migraine headaches, anxiety, and negative affect, as well as greater increases in pain tolerance, headache-related self-efficacy, daily spiritual experiences, and existential well being. |
Publication | Journal of Behavioral Medicine |
Volume | 31 |
Issue | 4 |
Pages | 351-366 |
Date | Aug 2008 |
Journal Abbr | J Behav Med |
DOI | 10.1007/s10865-008-9159-2 |
ISSN | 0160-7715 |
Short Title | Migraines and meditation |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18551362 |
Accessed | Fri Nov 13 19:00:33 2009 |
Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
Extra | PMID: 18551362 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Migraine headaches are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety (Waldie and Poulton Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 72: 86-92, 2002) and feelings of low self-efficacy (French et al. Headache, 40: 647-656, 2000). Previous research suggests that spiritual meditation may ameliorate some of the negative traits associated with migraine headaches (Wachholtz and Pargament Journal of behavioral Medicine, 30: 311-318, 2005). This study examined two primary questions: (1) Is spiritual meditation more effective in enhancing pain tolerance and reducing migraine headache related symptoms than secular meditation and relaxation? and, (2) Does spiritual meditation create better mental, physical, and spiritual health outcomes than secular meditation and relaxation techniques? Eighty-three meditation naïve, frequent migraineurs were taught Spiritual Meditation, Internally Focused Secular Meditation, Externally Focused Secular Meditation, or Muscle Relaxation which participants practiced for 20 min a day for one month. Pre-post tests measured pain tolerance (with a cold pressor task), headache frequency, and mental and spiritual health variables. Compared to the other three groups, those who practiced spiritual meditation had greater decreases in the frequency of migraine headaches, anxiety, and negative affect, as well as greater increases in pain tolerance, headache-related self-efficacy, daily spiritual experiences, and existential well being.
Type | Book |
---|---|
Author | Robert Keith Wallace |
Edition | 3d ed. |
Place | Los Angeles |
Publisher | Students' International Meditation Society |
Date | 1973 |
Library Catalog | fcaw.library.umass.edu:8991 Library Catalog |
Call Number | BL627 |
Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |