Brain Behavior and Immunity Integrative
September 1, 2026
Zhuo Job Chen, Kelsey Julian, Michael J. Persin et al.
Psycho-neuro-endocrine-immunology (PNEI) provides a framework for understanding the integration of psychological, neural, endocrine, and immune processes, yet it has rarely engaged non-Western models of mind–body regulation. This study examines Zhanzhuang (aka Chan-chuang), a Daoist standing meditation centered on the cultivation of qi, as a potential PNEI intervention. We present the protocol...
PsyArXiv
October 10, 2023
Zhuo Job Chen
preprint
The studies of mysticism have traditionally emphasized a common core centered around experiences of ego dissolution and unity. However, this focus on a central set of experiences tends to downplay the non-central aspects, resulting in a limited understanding that may not encompass many other types of extraordinary experiences. This paper proposes a layered hierarchy model of mysticism, which...
Frontiers in Psychology
2022
Zhuo Job Chen, Richard G Cowden, Heinz Streib
13 citations
People who self-identify as predominantly spiritual constitute a considerable and well-established part of the religious landscape in North America and Europe. Thus, further research is needed to document predictors, correlates, and outcomes associated with self-identifying primarily as a spiritual person. In the following set of studies, we contribute to some of these areas using data from...
July 24, 2021
Heinz Streib, Zhuo Job Chen
preprint
How are mystical experiences related to self-rated spirituality? Is the recently developed short 8-item version of Hood’s (1975) Mysticism Scale an efficient measurement? The current study expands evidence for both questions using N = 1,582 American and N = 1,492 German samples measured in three waves, average 4 to 5 years apart. Results show that the 8-item brief M-Scale has good psychometric...