Defining Contemplative Science: The Metacognitive Self-Regulatory Capacity of the Mind, Context of Meditation Practice and Modes of Existential Awareness
Frontiers in Psychology November 17, 2016 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01788 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
Contemplative science lacks a consensus definition, which causes terminological confusion and hinders theory development. This paper proposes defining contemplative science as the interdisciplinary study of the metacognitive self-regulatory capacity (MSRC) of the mind and associated modes of existential awareness (MEA) modulated by motivational, intentional, and contextual factors of contemplative practices. The MSRC enables introspective awareness and self-regulation supporting well-being. Changes in conceptual processing mediate between MSRC, motivational factors, practice context, and shifts in MEA that determine sense of self and reality. This framework aims to reduce terminological challenges and encourage inclusive, systematic research across contemplative traditions.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Contemplative science should be defined as the interdisciplinary study of the metacognitive self-regulatory capacity of the mind and associated modes of existential awareness, rather than merely the study of specific practices like mindfulness or compassion. |
Abstract
The term ‘contemplative’ is now frequently used in the fast growing field of meditation research. Yet, there is no consensus regarding the definition of contemplative science. Meditation studies commonly imply that contemplative practices such as mindfulness or compassion are the subject of contemplative science. Such approach, arguably, contributes to terminological confusions in the field, is not conducive to the development of an overarching theory in contemplative science, and overshadows its unique methodological features. This paper outlines an alternative approach to defining contemplative science which aims to focus the research on the core capacities, processes and states of the mind modified by contemplative practices. It is proposed that contemplative science is an interdisciplinary study of the metacognitive self-regulatory capacity (MSRC) of the mind and associated modes of existential awareness (MEA) modulated by motivational/intentional and contextual factors of contemplative practices. The MSRC is a natural propensity of the mind which enables introspective awareness of mental processes and behavior, and is a necessary pre-requisite for effective self-regulation supporting well-being. Depending on the motivational/intentional and contextual factors of meditation practice, changes in the metacognitive self-regulatory processes enable shifts in MEA which determine our sense of self and reality. It is hypothesized that changes in conceptual processing are essential mediators between the MSRC, motivational/intentional factors, context of meditation practice, and the modulations in MEA. Meditation training fosters and fine-tunes the MSRC of the mind and supports development of motivational/intentional factors with the ultimate aim of facilitating increasingly advanced MEA. Implications of the proposed framework for definitions of mindfulness and for future systematic research across contemplative traditions and practices are discussed. It is suggested that the proposed definition of contemplative science may reduce terminological challenges in the field and make it more inclusive of varied contemplative practices. Importantly, this approach may encourage development of a more comprehensive contemplative science theory recognizing the essential importance of first- and second-person methods to its inquiry, thus uniquely contributing to our understanding of the mind.