tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587933117541982206.post5641365907120386284..comments2023-08-24T19:42:48.155+10:00Comments on Guided Meditation Instruction: Cognitive Neuroscience of Mindful Meditationashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01126702517675327385noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-587933117541982206.post-68612894518902782542009-12-15T03:48:04.961+11:002009-12-15T03:48:04.961+11:00Some years ago there were similar claims of the ef...Some years ago there were similar claims of the efficacy of transcendental meditation (TM). Even today, the TM web site lists some 600 scientific papers and reviews (http://www.tm.org/research-on-meditation). However, it should be noted that Herbert Benson, MD, demonstrated similar results with the plain English mantram, “one” (or “nine”) instead of the exotic Sanskrit version.<br /><br />My question: Are there any studies (outcome, fMRI, etc.) that compare mindfulness with concentration medition?<br /><br />I would define the two types of medtations functioally. Assume a meditator has, as a primary object of meditation, a mantram, kasina or mandala, sound, visualization, emptiness, imagining or repeating thoughts of loving-kindness, etc.<br /><br />If, during the focussing on the object, a distraction arises (either external to the meditator or within her own mind) the meditator immediately returns to the primary meditative object, then this is concentration. <br /><br />If, however, the distraction itself becomes a new object to become aware of, investigated and explored--and when it subsides, she returns to the primary object--then one is practicing insight, sati, or vipassana meditation. <br /><br />(Insight meditation is very thoroghly described by the Buddha in the Satipatthana Sutta, Majjhima Nikaya no. 10, or Digha Nikaya no. 16.)<br /><br />BTW, I would strongly disagree with the statement: “Insight Meditation (aka Vipassana) is a single practice that covers the three meditation categories that Phillippe outlines above.” <br /><br />-S. Upatissasadhu44https://www.blogger.com/profile/04975814949591283129noreply@blogger.com