Exploring Processes and Dynamics of Mystical Contemplative Meditation: Some Christian-Buddhist Parallels in Relation to Transpersonal Theory
European Journal for Philosophy of Religion 2015 DOI: 10.24204/ejpr.v7i2.119 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | prayer of Recollection |
| Topics | Meditation Mysticism Buddhism |
| Keywords | Christian contemplation Christian spirituality Prayer of recollection Ancient christian practices Spiritual practice Mindfulness & meditation Modern mindfulness Buddhist meditation Samatha vipassanā Contemplative practices Therapeutic dynamics Personal transformation Personal growth Deep psychological well-being Spiritual growth Self-improvement Inner development Mental health Comparative spirituality Cross-cultural comparison Religious parallels Interreligious dialogue Transpersonal theory |
| Key points | Proposes that the prayer of Recollection shares theoretical and therapeutic dynamics with Buddhist meditation and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, and that transpersonal theory can illuminate resistances and goals in Christian contemplative practice. |
Abstract
This paper explores Christian contemplative meditation, focusing on the prayer of Recollection as it is developed especially by Evelyn Underhill and St. Teresa of Avila. It outlines the practice and explores possible theoretical and therapeutic dynamics, including some comparative reflections of this form of Christian meditation with Buddhist Samatha Vipassanā meditation and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. It also draws on the transpersonal theory of philosopher Michael Washburn, in exploring resistances, obstacles, and goals of such mystical practices
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on buddhism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental balance and well-being: Building bridges between Buddhism and Western psychology. | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Buddhist Modernism and the Rhetoric of Meditative Experience | 1995 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Buddhist and Psychological Perspectives on Emotions and Well-Being | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Too Early to Tell: The Potential Impact and Challenges—Ethical and Otherwise—Inherent in the Mainstreaming of Dharma in an Increasingly Dystopian World | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| From self to nonself: The Nonself Theory | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |