Pastoral Psychology
May 28, 2026
Joanna Różycka‐Tran, Stanisław Radoń, Marcin Wnuk
Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the dynamics of the bioelectrical brain activity of monks and nuns during Zen meditation in their natural monastic environment. The participants were practitioners residing in two Vietnamese Zen monasteries: Truc Lam Tay Thien ( N = 7) and Truc Lam Thuong Chieu Buddhist Academy ( N = 6). The measurements were carried out using...
Pastoral Psychology
May 18, 2026
Robin Weber, Smita Singh, Joanna Barlas et al.
Abstract It is increasingly acknowledged that spirituality often exists outside of religious frameworks, and the number of individuals identifying as spiritual but not religious is increasing around the world. Moreover, spirituality has been associated with a variety of positive intrapersonal and interpersonal effects rooted in self-transcendence. However, unlike religiosity, there have been...
Pastoral Psychology
September 21, 2023
Alejandro Eros, Thomas G. Plante
4 citations
Abstract Contemplative practices have likely been used for self-awareness, concentration, creativity, and well-being since the dawn of time. While practices such as yoga and Buddhist meditation have been extensively studied in recent decades, Christian contemplative practices have received less attention in empirical research. This study aims to investigate the effects of centering prayer, a...
Pastoral Psychology
2022
Kelly Bulkeley, Michael Schredl
This study considers the relationship between dreaming and race in light of the public protests following the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Findings are presented from an online survey about dreams and the Black Lives Movement (BLM) gathered from 4,947 demographically diverse American adults sampled between June 15 and June 19, 2020. The results show that the people most likely to...
Pastoral Psychology
July 14, 2021
Li Laurent, David Sheffield, Fiona Holland
14 citations
Abstract Buddhism is an ancient religion and philosophy of living that is practised worldwide. More recent interest in mindfulness as a practice and intervention in the West has highlighted Buddhist-derived concepts as useful in supporting health and well-being. As a result, the desire to understand Buddhism in its more complete form has strengthened. Although research into mindfulness and...
Pastoral Psychology
2017
Catherine Ann Lombard
Pastoral psychologists have long tried to establish a working model that encompasses the seemingly conflicting disciplines of science and religion. Psychosynthesis, a transpersonal psychology and therapeutic approach, offers such a model of the human personality, in which the psychological and spiritual perspectives can converge. This article explores psychosynthesis psychology and therapy as a...