☆ L1: Introduction ☆ Flashcards
Define meditation
Meditation is a practice in which one (i) trains the mind and (ii) induces an altered state of consciousness
Are certain meditation styles preferred over others?
Yes, certain styles might be more challenging and less appealing to newcomers.
One study indicates that breath-anchored meditation was highly preferred over phrase- and image- anchored styles.
Preferences change with experience.
It’s important to know your meditation style.
Describe the demographic features that are most commonly associated with meditation.
Why is considering demographic information important?
• Higher income
• Higher education
• Higher stress levels, mental health disorders, and pain conditions; meditation is appealing to those facing existing health problems
• Lower BMI, higher physical activity, and a healthier lifestyle
• Higher trait openness to experience
• Have faced healthcare barriers
• Majority are a female and sexual minority
Considering demographic information is important because when we examine the common characteristics of the meditator population we can understand meditation in a new way.
Why is it important to break down a meditation style into its constituent elements?
What are some elements of meditation that are common to many meditative practices?
• Fixed attention on an anchor
• Breathing practices
• Assumed postures
• Physical exercises
• Aloud repetition of certain words or phrases
• Rehearsal of particular scripts ceremonial objects or dress
• Philosophical attitudes and lifestyle regulations
• Religious beliefs
Every meditation style generally includes the first three elements: fixed attention on an anchor, breathing practices, and assumed postures.
It is important to break down a meditation style into its constituents because when the elements change, so will the benefits and side effects.
Explain why it is important to consider lifestyle and ideology (specifically philosophy and religion) when evaluating the effects of meditation
Meditation often comes with religious views, ideology and/or a lifestyle.
Religion, ideology, and lifestyle can have effects by themselves and thus complicate our study of meditation. For example, Buddhist meditation styles often come with Buddhist views which might be consequential on their own.
Interactions between religious and spiritual beliefs and meditation are rarely investigated because they are difficult to study.
Differentiate mindfulness and transcendental meditation. How do they differ in their features, goals, and effects?
Mindfulness meditation (MM):
• Focuses on intentional awareness, non-judgemental acceptance, and openness to new experiences
• Smaller, NFP organizations
• Longer/higher investment
• Does not require mantras
• Scientific inquiry is more common
Transcendental meditation (TM):
• Focuses on reaching a state of enlightenment and inner calmness, emphasizes joy
• Part of a larger commercial industry
• Shorter/lower investment
• Uses mantras
• Scientific inquiry is less common
Define mindfulness.
What is the difference between the trait of mindfulness, mindfulness meditation, and mindfulness-based treatment interventions (such as mindfulness-based stress reduction)?
Mindfulness: mindfulness (i) fosters the inhibition of secondary elaborative cognitions (helps reduce worry) and (ii) orients the individual toward experiences through openness, curiosity, and acceptance
Trait mindfulness: the behavioural tendency of being mindful
▸ We all have some degree of trait mindfulness
Trait mindfulness is associated with lower grey matter in the amygdala
Mindfulness meditation (MM): meditation style based on mindfulness
Mindfulness-based treatment interventions (MBIs): activity that incorporates MM and other activities
▸ Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) is an example of an MBI
What test do we used to measure trait mindfulness? Is any one test particularly preferred?
We use mindfulness measures to measure mindfulness.
The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) is preferred because it is a composite measure. Its factors include non-reactivity, observing, awareness, describing, and non-judging
Describe the time length of and major activities contained within a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program
An MBSR program is about 8 weeks and includes:
• Mindfulness
• Mindful eating
• Body scan exercises
• Other activities
• Yoga
What is loving-kindness meditation?
How does it differ from mindfulness meditation?
Loving-kindness meditation (LKM): active meditation style emphasizing unconditional compassion for oneself and others
▸ Focuses particularly on your social relationships
LKM differs from MM because MM does not focus as heavily on your social relationships
