This paper explores the field of contemplative neuroscience as a means of studying consciousness on both neurological and experiential levels. While our current scientific paradigm favors the view that consciousness is a purely physical phenomenon and should be examined as such, contemplative neuroscience posits that awareness, attention, and emotion are malleable skills that can be refined in...
Positive criminology is a new term for a perspective associated with theories and models that relate to socially inclusive, positively experienced influences that assist individuals in desisting or refraining from criminal and deviant behavior. A qualitative phenomenological study of prisoners who were in recovery from substance dependency and who participated in a Vipassana course in a...
In this paper, I argue that the supposedly new theory of consciousness proposed recently by David Chalmers is very close to classical functionalism. Indeed, it treats some of the controversial assumptions of functionalism as naturally necessary. This is, however, very unfortunate, as they lead to numerous tensions in his view. In the fi rst part, I analyze the functionalist theory of...
Despite the increase of both dynamic and embodied/situated approaches in cognitive science, there is still little research on how coordination dynamics under a closed sensorimotor loop might induce qualitatively different patterns of neural oscillations compared to those found in isolated systems. We take as a departure point the Haken-Kelso-Bunz (HKB) model, a generic model for dynamic...
Recent focus on early detection and intervention in psychosis has renewed interest in the psychopathological delineation and assessment of psychotic phenomena.These phenomena express a fundamental qualitative change of the patient's mentality (consciousness, subjectivity) which often surfaces already during the prodromal/at risk mental states and is typically manifested across several...
The Cotard-Syndrome (CS), the belief of being dead, was described for the first time in 1880. Since then it met the interest not only of psychopathologists but also of philosophers. With a few exceptions, the literature is mainly restricted to case reports of anxious-depressive, demented or paranoid patients. It was the aim of our study to investigate the prevalence and the psychopathological...
Research has increasingly investigated the use of mindfulness practice by individuals living with chronic pain conditions. The current study aimed to explore the practical implications of introducing mindfulness in a hospital setting, and to understand the experience and perceived consequences of brief mindfulness training. Attendees on a mindfulness–based pain management group were invited to...
Walsh and Vaughan (1993) defined transpersonal experiences as those “in which the sense of identity or self extends beyond (trans) the individual or personal to encompass wider aspects of humankind, life, psyche or cosmos” (p. 203). One population who regularly report such experiences are mediums. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten spiritualist mediums to explore their...
In psychopathology, dissociation typically refers to a disturbance in the normal integration of thoughts, feelings, and experiences into consciousness and memory.In this chapter, we review the literature on how sleep disturbances relate to dissociative symptoms and cognitive aberrations seen in dissociative disorders.We contend that this body of research offers a fresh perspective on the...
The Holoscendence Approach (HA) is a therapeutic approach based on experience from clinical work, and an integration of Eastern spiritual traditions and Western therapeutic orientations. It is unique in its comprehensiveness, flexibility and depth. It may be applied to a very wide spectrum of consciousness on both personal and transpersonal levels. HA gives a special opportunity to work...