Overview

Neuroscience and Psychology of Meditation in Everyday Life addresses essential and timely questions about the research and practice of meditation as a path to realization of human potential for health and well-being. Balancing practical content and scientific theory, the book discusses long-term effects of six meditation practices: mindfulness, compassion, visualization-based meditation techniques, dream yoga, insight-based meditation and abiding in the existential ground of experience. Each chapter provides advice on how to embed these techniques into everyday activities, together with considerations about underlying changes in the mind and brain based on latest research evidence. This book is essential reading for professionals applying meditation-based techniques in their work and researchers in the emerging field of contemplative science. The book will also be of value to practitioners of meditation seeking to further their practice and understand associated changes in the mind and brain.

Full Product Details

Author:   Dusana Dorjee (Lecturer and Research Lead, Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice, Bangor University)
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Routledge
Weight:   0.540kg
ISBN:  

9781138691841

ISBN 10:   1138691844
Pages:   196
Publication Date:   18 July 2017
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1: THE NEW SCIENCE OF MEDITATION What is the science of meditation missing? The mind’s capacity to self-regulate Purpose, meaning and modes of existential awareness Existential drive, health and well-being Towards a long-term perspective of meditation Summary: Chapter 1 Chapter 2: LONG-TERM MEDITATION PRACTICE Neural plasticity, body physiology and meditation The state and trait effects of meditation The quantity and quality of meditation practice Formal and informal meditation Adverse effects of meditation Developing a long-term perspective of meditation Summary: Chapter 2 Chapter 3: MINDFULNESS What is mindfulness? How to develop mindfulness? Neuroscience of mindfulness Mindfulness, self-regulation and existential well-being A day of mindfulness practice Mindfulness from a long-term practice perspective Summary: Chapter 3 Chapter 4: COMPASSION AND RELATED QUALITIES What is compassion? A Buddhist perspective What is compassion? A Western scientific perspective Developing compassion and related qualities in the Buddhist context Neuroscience of compassion and loving kindness Compassion, self-regulation and existential well-being A day of compassion practice Compassion from a long-term practice perspective Summary: Chapter 4 Chapter 5: VISUALIZATION IN MEDITATION PRACTICE What is visualization-based meditation? Developing visualization-based meditation practice in the Buddhist context Neuroscience of visualization-based meditation Visualization-based meditation, self-regulation and well-being A day of visualization-based meditation Visualization-based meditation from a long-term practice perspective Summary: Chapter 5 Chapter 6: EXISTENTIAL INSIGHT AND DREAM YOGA What is existential insight? The Western approach What is existential insight? The Buddhist approach Developing existential insight in daytime and dream yoga practice Neuroscience of existential insight and dream yoga practices Existential insight, self-regulation and existential well-being 24 hours of meditation practice Existential insight practice from a long-term perspective Summary: Chapter 6 Chapter 7: THE STATE OF EXISTENTIAL BALANCE What is the state of existential balance? Developing the state of existential balance Neuroscience of the state of existential balance The state of existential balance, self-regulation and existential well-being The state of existential balance in everyday life The state of existential balance from a long-term practice perspective Summary: Chapter 7 Chapter 8: THE POTENTIAL OF CONTEMPLATIVE SCIENCE Contemplative psychology Contemplative psychotherapy Contemplative neuroscience Contemplative science in health care Developmental contemplative science Contemplative science and society Challenges facing contemplative science Conclusion Summary: Chapter 8

Reviews

Dusana Dorjee masterfully presents a wealth of information from diverse areas-neuroscience, psychology of meditation, contemplative practices, existential wellbeing, and Buddhism-in a flawless narrative that is sure to prove a classic in the field of meditation. Informed by research and practice, the book lays out the essence of six meditation practices, the changes that occur in the brain as a result of short- and long-term formal and informal practices, and how meditation enhances our general wellbeing. One of the great strengths of the book is that it presents this material in a very accessible form that can be used by practitioners and researchers alike. Nirbhay N. Singh, PhD, Editor-in-Chief, Mindfulness, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, USA

Dusana Dorjee masterfully presents a wealth of information from diverse areas-neuroscience, psychology of meditation, contemplative practices, existential wellbeing, and Buddhism-in a flawless narrative that is sure to prove a classic in the field of meditation. Informed by research and practice, the book lays out the essence of six meditation practices, the changes that occur in the brain as a result of short- and long-term formal and informal practices, and how meditation enhances our general wellbeing. One of the great strengths of the book is that it presents this material in a very accessible form that can be used by practitioners and researchers alike. Nirbhay N. Singh, PhD, Editor-in-Chief, Mindfulness, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, USA

Author Information

Dusana Dorjee, PhD, is a cognitive neuroscientist in the School of Psychology at Bangor University. Her research investigates how meditation, particularly mindfulness, impacts well-being and modifies the mind and brain. Dusana is also a long-term meditation practitioner and teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of Dzogchen.

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