Buddhism is an ancient religion and philosophy practiced worldwide, and Western interest in mindfulness has led to a desire to understand Buddhism more fully. This study explored the experiences of Nichiren Buddhists in the United Kingdom who had practiced for at least three years. Through semi-structured interviews analyzed with interpretive phenomenological analysis, three themes emerged: finding meaning in all aspects of life, using Buddhism as a needed tool for managing daily life, and experiencing agency and control over one's destiny. The findings suggest that Buddhist practice may enhance and sustain well-being, indicating a need for further research.
Meditation is characterized by a deepened state of relaxation on the one hand and increased alertness on the other. Zen meditation fosters a distinct state combining relaxation and sustained alertness. The study investigated differences in bioelectrical brain activity of monks and nuns during Zen meditation in their natural monastic environment, with 13 practitioners from two Vietnamese Zen monasteries. Results showed a stable increase in the alpha range in both monasteries, an increase in theta and a decrease in beta in one monastery, and distinct meditation strategies between the two monasteries. Mobile EEG technology proved effective in naturalistic settings.