Comments for Meditation Research

Comment on Dalai Lama praises scientific research into meditation by Jelena

Jelena — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:20:31 +0000

Amazing. I cannot be happier. Congratulations! Keep up the great work.

Comment on Meditation and creativity: some first evidence by Peter Malinowski

Peter Malinowski — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:00:03 +0000

Andy, thank you for this observation. It is indeed very interesting and definetely worth exploring/studying further.
It may be of interest that we are currently in discussion with colleagues from a leading creative media arts centre here in Liverpool ( FACT – Foundation for Art and Creative Technology), exploring opportunitites for studying the role of meditation and mindfulness in the creative process.

I think your comment also points to something rather important – and this is that creativity goes much further than the interply of convergent and divergent think.

Cheers, Peter

Comment on Meditation and creativity: some first evidence by Andy

Andy — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:57:40 +0000

Several artists of my acquaintance meditate prior to commencing work on their creative projects. I have discussed the process with two of them and it seems that it allows them to be more centred with more effective concentration but at the same time more open – which aligns with the results of the Om meditators in the current article. It would be interesting to conduct this research with established artists.

Comment on 100th subscriber! by Peter Malinowski

Peter Malinowski — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:17:18 +0000

Hi Saskia,
this sounds like amazing work you are doing out there!!
I am not aware of any research that would directly relate to what you are doing, but would think that work considering the link between mind, experience and nature (e.g. the field of ecopsychology: http://www.ecopsychology.org ) as well as the broad topic of mindfulness in teaching and education (e.g. http://mindfulnessinschools.org/) might be relevant.
Good luck and keep up the great work,

Peter

Comment on 100th subscriber! by saskia van oosterhout

saskia van oosterhout — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:40:21 +0000

Hi there Peter

Ive enjoyed reading yr postings. Im an ecopsychologist and am writing up some research I did with young people living at the edge (extreme social and ecological poverty in South Africa). I spent a regular period with them over a number of weeks in a space of beautiful nature, where we used the elements (earth, water, air, fire and space) to explore internal (self) and external (social) communication. We used the elements as well as colours (yellow, green, white, red, blue)to express thoughts and emotions, as an introduction to meditation and mindfulness. Do you know of any references where such work has been done before, or published articles on such work?

Many thanks
Saskia

Comment on The power of the mind: A wandering mind is an unhappy mind by sue bottomley

sue bottomley — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:00:46 +0000

I wonder if anyone can help me. I offer, create and deliver life time bespoke visualisations and provide meditation classes/retreats. Many clients report substantial shifts in their issues, wellbeing etc.
A leading cancer research charity has asked me for a paper detailing the proven, recorded benefits of meditation/visualisation with regard to speeding up the healing /recovery process for hospitals and potentially from the repercussions of treatment. Is there any evidence of this anywhere that I can use?
This may lead to a trial. I am not an academic – very much an intuitive and learned many of my skills from Hopi, Maori and several “spiritual ” leaders.
Looking forward to hearing and maybe collaborating.
Sue

Comment on Meditation on buddha forms improves visual spatial processing by Peter Malinowski

Peter Malinowski — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:37:47 +0000

Hello Joy,
thanks for your comment. Indeed, a happier and more fulfilled life seems possible. When looked at from the perspective of psychological science the understanding would probably be that cognitive skills are one of the prerequisits for higher well being.
An interesting article by Alan Wallace and Shauna Shapiro (2006) pulls these ideas nicely together.
They are actually suggesting that we have to achieve a balance in four domains to be in a state of mental balance – leading to exceptional levels of well being. These are conation, attention, cognition and emotion.
Check it out here: doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.61.7.690 or directly to the pdf-file: pdf-download

And yes, quite a lot of the current meditation research has been inspired (sometimes even financially supported) by the mind and life institute

Peter

Comment on Meditation on buddha forms improves visual spatial processing by Joy Bose

Joy Bose — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:38:26 +0000

This is really interesting. Similar to other studies (mind life institute http://www.mindandlife.org etc) showing how different kinds of meditation can affect different cognitive functions due to brain plasticity. So not only can you be permanantly happier with regular meditation practice, your cognitive skills will improve too!

Comment on The power of the mind: A wandering mind is an unhappy mind by Dub Riley

Dub Riley — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:51:22 +0000

Thanks for this blog. It is done very well and different than most meditation blogs I visit. I hope you’ll have a chance to see the unconventional guided meditation I offer. This is free and I will never have anything to sell. The primary goal of my work is to help people deal and heal with negative emotions which they store in their primary organs.

My most recent technique is a supercharger to all three bodies (mind/body/soul) and will instantly give relief to anyone who is holding on to fear, anger, worry, negativity, judgement and grief.

http://www.breathofsadness.blogspot.com/2012/02/four-element-five-element-rebirth.html

Comment on Sustaining Happiness: The Science of Buddhist Meditation by Rolders

Rolders — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:04:27 +0000

We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be thankful to you.