An analysis of recent meditation research and suggestions for future directions.
Shauna L. Shapiro, Roger Walsh
The Humanistic Psychologist January 1, 2003 DOI: 10.1080/08873267.2003.9986927 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMeditation research over the past 40 years has shown changes in psychological, physiological, and transpersonal domains. This paper reviews those findings and suggests that future research should move beyond a reductionistic, biomedical model to include subjective, transpersonal, and integral perspectives.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Psychology Psychotherapist Philosophy |
| Citations | 111 |
| Key finding | Meditation research has demonstrated changes in psychological, physiological, and transpersonal realms, and future research should adopt an integral perspective. |
Abstract
Abstract Meditation offers a rich and complex field of study. Over the past 40 years, several hundred research studies have demonstrated numerous significant findings including changes in psychological, physiological, and transpersonal realms. This paper attempts to summarize these findings, and to review more recent meditation research. We then suggest directions for future research, emphasizing the necessity to continue to expand the paradigm from which meditation research is conducted, from a predominantly re‐ductionistic, biomedical model to one which includes subjective and transpersonal domains and an integral perspective.