Meditation as an Alternative State of Consciousness
Bani Narula
March 25, 2016 DOI: 10.25215/0302.053 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Argues that meditation, originally aimed at deepening understanding of mystical and sacred forces, now serves primarily as a stress-management and relaxation practice. The author proposes that meditation is an altered state of consciousness that increases present-moment awareness and personal empowerment, giving practitioners greater control over thinking, emotions, and behavior, and holds significance for understanding the mind-body relationship. |
Abstract
This paper provides an analysis of meditation as a new way of managing stress, tension and crisis. Contemporary psychology of mediation has gained worldwide significance and acceptance to seek solace and solutions for modern problems. Originally mediation was meant to help deepen understanding of the mystical and sacred forces of life. But, these days, it is commonly used for relaxation and stress reduction. Meditation is a practice of concentrated focus upon a sound, object, visualization or attention itself in order to increase awareness of the present moment and enhance personal and spiritual growth. It is an altered state of consciousness or altered state of mind, which is a temporary change in one’s normal mental state without being considered unconscious. Meditation provides a way for personal empowerment to become more in control of one’s thinking, emotions and behaviour. Therefore, as per the perspective of modern psychology, meditative practices hold utmost significance in augmenting the understanding of mind-body relationship.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mechanisms of mindfulness | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective | 2011 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness | 2012 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |