Issues and Perspectives in Meditation Research: In Search for a Definition
Frontiers in Psychology January 1, 2013 Bhuvanesh Awasthi 81 citations
Research on meditation's neurobiological correlates often overlooks its philosophical foundations, leading to problems with definition, study design, and outcomes. A satisfactory neuroscience of meditation requires an operational definition that integrates traditional ontological descriptions with modern neurocognitive accounts. To understand how meditation works, it is essential to appraise the philosophical positions underlying its phenomenology in originating traditions. Addressing issues of definition, design, and validity of response measures is crucial for the field's evolution and will provide context for meditation-based interventions.