Meditation research, past, present, and future: perspectives from the Nalanda contemplative science tradition.

Meditation research has grown rapidly, converging with cognitive and affective neuroscience and generating many clinical applications. Recent work clarifies mechanisms and effects of diverse practices, and the field is approaching consensus and coherent paradigms. This article proposes complementing conventional research with rigorous dialogue with contemplative traditions that train expert meditators. It explores the Nalanda tradition from India, preserved in Tibet, whose cumulative approach offers a comprehensive framework for interpreting data and guiding research. The article introduces the Indic map of the central nervous system and presents three testable predictions based on it. Two reviewed studies suggest that the multimodal Nalanda approach to contemplative learning is as well received as familiar approaches and may be more effective.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This article offers an overview of meditation research: its history, recent developments, and future directions. As the number and scope of studies grow, the field has converged with cognitive and affective neuroscience, and spawned many clinical applications. Recent work has shed light on the mechanisms and effects of diverse practices, and is entering a new phase where consensus and coherent paradigms are within reach. This article suggests an unusual path for future advancement: complementing conventional research with rigorous dialogue with the contemplative traditions that train expert meditators and best know the techniques. It explores the Nalanda tradition developed in India and preserved in Tibet, because its cumulative approach to contemplative methods produced a comprehensive framework that may help interpret data and guide research, and because its naturalistic theories and empirical methods may help bridge the gulf between science and other contemplative traditions. Examining recent findings and models in light of this framework, the article introduces the Indic map of the central nervous system and presents three testable predictions based on it. Finally, it reviews two studies that suggest that the multimodal Nalanda approach to contemplative learning is as well received as more familiar approaches, while showing promise of being more effective.