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Meditation, esoteric traditions--contributions to psychotherapy.

J T Carpenter

American Journal of Psychotherapy July 1977 DOI: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1977.31.3.394 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Intervention Meditation
Topics Meditation
Key findings Proposes that meditative exercises produce three therapeutic gains: insight into repetitive, self-defeating patterns of behavior, desensitization of painful thoughts, and conditioning of the central nervous system. The article frames these Buddhist-derived practices within modern psychological science.

Abstract

This article is a brief introduction to several different Eastern systems of philosophy and therapy. It surveys the Buddhist contributions and several contemporary applications of traditional meditation techniques within the framework of modern psychologic science. It is suggested that meditative exercises produce three therapeutic gains: insight into repetitive, self-defeating patterns of behavior, desensitization of painful thoughts, and the conditioning of the central nervous system.

Comparable studies

Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.

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