Research into Meditation and Mindfulness
at Liverpool John Moores University
Meditation and mindfulness practice are considered to impact on several levels of our being and our experience. Thus, reseach that investigates effects and underlying mechanisms of meditation practice have to be conceptualised very broadly, with studies ranging from the analysis of subjective reports of meditators to changes in social processes, cognitive and affective changes, and ‘down’ to the fine-grained analysis of physiological changes as for instance hormones and markers of immune system function.
Instead of compartmentalising the research along traditional discipline boundaries, we are establishing an integrative approach, where diverse evidence converges to improve our scientific understanding of meditation and mindfulness. As the personal experience of meditators and the insights of previous meditation masters provide important first person data - immediate as well as codified into whole meditation systems - we think that the collaboration with experienced practitioners as well as experts representing specific meditation traditions provides additional depth to our research.
- Pieces in a puzzle
The projects we are carrying out are considered to provide glimpses of what meditation does to our body, our brain and our mind – parts of a large puzzle that over time will become more and more complete.
Current Projects of our Research Group
Cognitive effects of meditation practice
Buddhist scriptures and meditation instructions predict that consequent meditation training will lead to a refinement of the ability to observe and regulate one’s own cognitive processes. Studying the changes of cognitive processes that are related to meditation practice will help us understanding how such practices work in principle and how they change the way a meditator may experience the world. >>>
Mindfulness and everyday living
Does one need to become buddhist to benefit from the meditation methods developed within the various buddhist meditation schools? – Not necessarily! Some of the methods practiced within buddhism are available to anybody who is interested in taking responsibility for their own life and improving their own situation. >>>
Meditation practice, well-being and flourishing
When asked about the purpose of his teachings the historical Buddha Shakyamuni answered about 2560 years ago in the following way: “I teach because all beings want to be happy and to avoid suffering.” Here, obviously, psychology kicks in. Are buddhists really happier people? Does their happiness or – to put it into psychology jargon – their ‘subjective well-being’ improve the more they get involved and experienced in buddhist practice? >>>
Conceptual issues of meditation and mindfulness
To advance research into meditation practice it is paramount to also improve the conceptual clarity. We are, for instance, discussing the relationship between traditional forms of mindfulness training as transmitted and practiced for millenia within different buddhist schools and their adaptation within Western psychology. >>>
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