Psychotherapeutic factors of naturally occurring long-term meditation
cIRcle (University of British Columbia) January 1, 2008 Scott E. Lawrance
Long-term meditation practice, spanning at least ten years, follows a trajectory from alienation toward meaning and engagement. Based on interviews with five meditators, twelve common themes emerged, organized into a movement through struggle and problem solving to consolidation. This progression depends on resolving three tasks: clarifying the relationship with the teacher, mastering meditation techniques, and achieving cognitive restructuring. The findings suggest meditation can complement or serve as an alternative to psychotherapy, with implications for counseling and personal growth.