Meditation and Modern Psychology:Meditation and Modern Psychology: East Meets West
“The history of science is rich in the example of the fruitfulness of bringing two sets of techniques, two sets of ideas, developed in separate contexts for the pursuit
of new truth, into touch with one another.”
—J. Robert Oppenheimer
“The Meeting of Meditative Disciplines and Western Psychology,” published in the American Psychological Association’s journal, American Psychologist (2006; 61 [3], 227–39), examines the possibilities for creating
a new holistic conceptual framework that would embrace the dual disciplines of meditation and psychology to improve understanding of human potential. Authors Roger Walsh and Shauna Shapiro suggest that meditation offers the opportunity for new approaches to, and new areas for research in, the science of psychology.
Walsh and Shapiro recommend that investigators take advantage of
the opportunity to study the unusual psychological capacities of advanced meditators to learn more about mental processes. Authors are optimistic that a partnership in which members of both disciplines work together can lead to further “exploration, understanding, healing and enhancement of the human mind.”
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA
Shirley Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.
