The Science of Meditation
Asian Traditions of Meditation October 31, 2016 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.21313/hawaii/9780824855680.003.0012
Summary
The essay discusses the evolution of scientific research on meditation, highlighting two main waves: the first focused on relaxation physiology in the 1970s, and the ongoing second wave that examines attention modes and their neural correlates. It notes that while Anglo-American scientists have led this research, most studied meditation types are of Asian origin. The shift in focus is influenced by scientific methods and societal trends.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | The focus of meditation research has shifted from relaxation physiology to attention modes, influenced by scientific methodology and societal factors. |
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Abstract
The first big wave of scientific research on meditation came in the 1970s and mainly focused on the physiology of relaxation. The second wave, which is still ongoing, has a stronger focus on modes of attention and their neural correlates. In both waves of meditation research, Anglo-American scientists have dominated the arena, but the kinds of meditation investigated have almost exclusively been of Asian origin. This essay argues that the shifting focus of scientific studies is not only determined by the available scientific methodology, but also by the form of meditation under investigation, as well as the influence from society and popular culture.