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Zen meditation and ABC relaxation theory: An exploration of relaxation states, beliefs, dispositions, and motivations

Noori B. Gillani, Jonathan C. Smith

Journal of Clinical Psychology May 3, 2001 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.1053 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Controlled experimental study Peer reviewed
Sample size 83
Population Experienced Zen meditators and college students
Intervention Zazen seated meditation
Duration 60-minute session
Topics Buddhism Meditation
Citations 43
Key findings Experienced Zen meditators exhibit greater relaxation states and dispositions, including reduced worry and increased Mental Quiet, Love, and Prayerfulness, compared to a control group.

Abstract

This study is an attempt to rigorously map the psychological effects of Zen meditation among experienced practitioners. Fifty-nine Zen meditators with at least six years of experience practiced an hour of traditional Zazen seated meditation. A control group of 24 college students spent 60 min silently reading popular magazines. Before relaxation, all participants took the Smith Relaxation States Inventory (SRSI), the Smith Relaxation Dispositions/Motivations Inventory (SRD/MI), and the Smith Relaxation Beliefs Inventory (SRBI). After practice, participants again took the SRSI. Analyses revealed that meditators are less likely to believe in God, more likely to believe in Inner Wisdom, and more likely to display the relaxation dispositions Mental Quiet, Mental Relaxation, and Timeless/Boundless/Infinite. Pre- and postsession analyses revealed that meditators showed greater increments in the relaxation states Mental Quiet, Love and Thankfulness, and Prayerfulness, as well as reduced Worry. Results support Smith's ABC Relaxation Theory.

Comparable studies

Other experimental studies on buddhism, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
EEG Alpha Blocking Correlated with Perception of Inner Light During Zen Meditation Zen-Buddhist practitioners who had been practicing meditation for years 2003 Experimental study
Exploring Emptiness and its Effects on Non-attachment, Mystical Experiences, and Psycho-spiritual Wellbeing: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study of Advanced Meditators. Advanced Buddhist meditators 2019 Within-subjects experimental design with qualitative analysis n = 25
Ready to help, no matter what you did: Responsibility attribution does not influence compassion in expert Buddhist practitioners. Expert Buddhist practitioners and trained novices 2024 Experimental study
ZEN MEDITATION AND TIME-EXPERIENCE 1989 Experimental study
Determining the Effectiveness of Zen Technique on Psychological Well-being and Pain in Elderly Residents of Kahrizak Nursing Home Elderly residents aged 65-85 from Kahrizak Nursing Home in Tehran, Iran 2025 Quasi-experimental n = 42

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Buddhism Meditation