Chatper 12 Flashcards
Meditation
Family of introspective self-regulation practices that train attention + perception in order to bring mental processes under greater voluntary control + foster beneficial mental capacities, well-being, maturation
The bad news of contemplative psychologies
Our ordinary state of mind is considerably less controlled, develop, and functional than we usually recognise-> result: significant unnecessary suffering
Good news of contemplative psychologies
We can train + develop our minds, even far beyond conventional levels -> results include enhanced mental capacities, well-being and maturity
3 broad levels of development according to developmental psychology
- prepersonal/preconventional
Monophasic culture
Derives from view of reality from a single waking state of consciousness
Polyphasic culture
Relies on multiple states, such as dreams, meditations, yogas, to form their view on reality
Integrations of contemplative + traditional therapies are of 3 major kinds:
- the search for underlying common factors
- technical eclecticism (combining techniques)
- theoretical integration
Consequences of overlooking metamotives
- we suffer from a shallow, distorted, and distorting view of ourselves
- starve ourselves of something vital of our well-being
- then we naturally assume that lesser motives are the only means to happiness
Hedonic treatmill
Barrier to happiness that causes one to rapidly + inevitably adapt to good things by taking them for granted.
As one accumulates more material possessions + accomplishments for example, ones expectations also rise
Concentration meditation
Holding attention on a single stimulus (breath) to develop abilities to focus, concentrate, and calm the mind
Awareness editations
Exploring the flux of moment-to moment experience which can produce insight + self understanding
The 3 poisons of the mind creating psychopathology are:
- delusion
- craving
- aversion
3 ideals of psychological health
- relinquishing unhealthy mental qualities
- developing healthy mental qualities
- maturing transpersonal levels of being
7 central techniques for 7 qualities of mind and behaviour
- cultivating ethicality
- transforming emotions
- redirecting motivation
- developing concentration
- refining awareness
- fostering wisdom
- practicing altruism and service
Common difficulties that can emerge during contemplative practice
- emotional lability
- psychosomatic symptoms
- perceptual changes
- existential challenge
mechanisms suggested by contemplative traditions
Calming the mind
Enhanced awareness
Disidentification
Rebalancing
contemplative mechanisms suggested by mental health professionals
PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS
Relaxation
Desensitisation to stimuli
Counterconditioning
COGNITIVE MECHANISMS
Self-acceptance
Self-control
Self-understanding
Transcendental meditation (TM)
Manta (inner sound) practice that involves directing attention to a repetitive mantra to settle the mind into a clear, peaceful state
Empathic joy
Experiencing happiness when others are happy
Lucid dreaming
Lucid dreamers can observe, modify, contemplate during dreamig
Conventional ethnocentric stage
People assume their own beliefs + values to be correct, others‘ to be misguided or pathological
Postconventional pluralistic stage
Questioning one‘s own assumptions and recognising that all beliefs + values are personal and cultural constructions
Cultural relativism
All values and beliefs are EQUALLY valid, they cannot be evaluated because that is cultural imperialism
Developmental denial
Either denying the existence of developmental stages or saying that they foster elitism
