Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science
Cassandra Vieten, Helané Wahbeh, B Rael Cahn, Katherine A Maclean, Mica Estrada, Paul J Mills, Michael J. Murphy, Shauna L. Shapiro, Dean Radin, Zoran Josipovic, David E. Presti, Michael Sapiro, Jan Chozen Bays, Peter Russell, David R. Vago, Fred Travis, Roger Walsh, Arnaud Delorme
PLoS One November 7, 2018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205740 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional online survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,120 |
| Population | Meditators |
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness Philosophy of mind Meditation |
| Keywords | Meditation experiences Meditative phenomena Spiritual experiences Psychological experiences Profound experiences Extraordinary experiences Diverse phenomena Meditation effects Subjective experiences Meditation research Contemplative science Scientific exploration Empirical study Survey research Psychological research Spiritual research Scientific validation New research avenues Spiritual psychology Transpersonal psychology Human potential Spiritual development Psychological well-being Mind-body connection Profound phenomena Unconventional meditation outcomes Exceptional human experiences |
| Citations | 124 |
| Key findings | The majority of meditators report having had anomalous and extraordinary experiences during meditation, which are often neglected in research. |
Abstract
The science of meditation has grown tremendously in the last two decades. Most studies have focused on evaluating the clinical effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions, neural and other physiological correlates of meditation, and individual cognitive and emotional aspects of meditation. Far less research has been conducted on more challenging domains to measure, such as group and relational, transpersonal and mystical, and difficult aspects of meditation; anomalous or extraordinary phenomena related to meditation; and post-conventional stages of development associated with meditation. However, these components of meditation may be crucial to people's psychological and spiritual development, could represent important mediators and/or mechanisms by which meditation confers benefits, and could themselves be important outcomes of meditation practices. In addition, since large numbers of novices are being introduced to meditation, it is helpful to investigate experiences they may encounter that are not well understood. Over the last four years, a task force of meditation researchers and teachers met regularly to develop recommendations for expanding the current meditation research field to include these important yet often neglected topics. These meetings led to a cross-sectional online survey to investigate the prevalence of a wide range of experiences in 1120 meditators. Results show that the majority of respondents report having had many of these anomalous and extraordinary experiences. While some of the topics are potentially controversial, they can be subjected to rigorous scientific investigation. These arenas represent largely uncharted scientific terrain and provide excellent opportunities for both new and experienced researchers. We provide suggestions for future directions, with accompanying online materials to encourage such research.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups | 2008 | Cross-sectional study | |
| Neural Correlates of Dispositional Mindfulness During Affect Labeling Adult participants | 2007 | Observational cross-sectional | n = 27 |
| Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). School-aged children and adolescents | 2011 | Cross-sectional validation study | n = 1,413 |
| Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators Experienced meditators and demographically matched nonmeditators | 2012 | Cross-sectional study | n = 152 |
| Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress Undergraduates | 2008 | Cross-sectional, correlational |
Citations in the library
Cited by 67
- Prevalence of meditation-related adverse effects in a population-based sample in the United States Psychotherapy Research June 2, 2021
- Content-Free Awareness: EEG-fcMRI Correlates of Consciousness as Such in an Expert Meditator Frontiers in Psychology February 18, 2020
- Rhythmic Chanting and Mystical States across Traditions. Brain Sciences January 13, 2021
- Large effects of brief meditation intervention on EEG spectra in meditation novices IBRO Reports October 27, 2020
- Reflections on Inner and Outer Silence and Consciousness Without Contents According to the Sphere Model of Consciousness Frontiers in Psychology August 12, 2020
and 62 more in the library
Cites 77
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Neuroreport November 7, 2005
- Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
- Metacognitive awareness and prevention of relapse in depression: Empirical evidence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2002
and 72 more in the library