A critique of Gellhorn and Kiely's mystical states of consciousness.
G K Mills, K Campbell
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease September 1, 1974 DOI: 10.1097/00005053-197409000-00006 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Buddhism |
| Keywords | Brain Autonomic nervous system Humans Electroencephalography Alpha rhythm Psychophysiology Yoga Consciousness Habituation, psychophysiologic |
| Key points | Argues that Gellhorn and Kiely's neurophysiological theory of Zen and Yoga meditation is inadequate because it ignores differences among meditative practices, omits relevant published evidence on Yoga meditation, and ambiguously interprets trophotropic and ergotropic effects on the orienting reflex; the theory needs revision before it can explain the differential effects of these meditations. |
Abstract
Gellhorn and Kiely's attempt to generate a neurophysiological theory which accounts for the psychophysiological states produced during Zen and Yoga meditation is criticized because it: a) ignores fundamental differences within and between the various meditations; b) fails to consider certain important published evidence on Yoga meditation; and c) provides an ambiguous interpretation of trophotropic and ergotropic effects on the orienting reflex. It is concluded that their theory is in need of revision before it can adequately explain the differential effects of both Zen and Yoga meditation.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- The Physiology of Meditation and Mystical States of Consciousness Perspectives in biology and medicine March 1, 1976
- Psychophysiological Responsiveness to Auditory Stimulation during Transcendental Meditation Psychophysiology 1986
- Reactions of transcendental meditators and nonmeditators to stress films. A cognitive study. Archives of General Psychiatry December 1977