The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists

Abstract

Buddhist-derived meditation practices are currently being employed as a popular form of health promotion. While meditation programs draw inspiration from Buddhist textual sources for the benefits of meditation, these sources also acknowledge a wide range of other effects beyond health-related outcomes. The Varieties of Contemplative Experience study investigates meditation-related experiences that are typically underreported, particularly experiences that are described as challenging, difficult, distressing, functionally impairing, and/or requiring additional support. A mixed-methods approach featured qualitative interviews with Western Buddhist meditation practitioners and experts in Theravāda, Zen, and Tibetan traditions. Interview questions probed meditation experiences and influencing factors, including interpretations and management strategies. A follow-up survey provided quantitative assessments of causality, impairment and other demographic and practice-related variables. The content-driven thematic analysis of interviews yielded a taxonomy of 59 meditation-related experiences across 7 domains: cognitive, perceptual, affective, somatic, conative, sense of self, and social. Even in cases where the phenomenology was similar across participants, interpretations of and responses to the experiences differed considerably. The associated valence ranged from very positive to very negative, and the associated level of distress and functional impairment ranged from minimal and transient to severe and enduring. In order to determine what factors may influence the valence, impact, and response to any given experience, the study also identified 26 categories of influencing factors across 4 domains: practitioner-level factors, practice-level factors, relationships, and health behaviors. By identifying a broader range of experiences associated with meditation, along with the factors that contribute to the presence and management of experiences reported as challenging, difficult, distressing or functionally impairing, this study aims to increase our understanding of the effects of contemplative practices and to provide resources for mediators, clinicians, meditation researchers, and meditation teachers.

Somatic Energies and Emotional Traumas: A Qualitative Study of Practice-Related Challenges Reported by Vajrayāna Buddhists

“…In particular, this study aims to investigate experiences that meditation practitioners report as being challenging, difficult, distressing, or functionally impairing (Lindahl et al 2017). The study sample includes more than 60 meditation practitioners and more than 30 meditation experts from across Buddhist lineages.…”

“…The phenomenology codebook documented the range of experiences practitioners reported. The influencing factors codebook documented the responses given by practitioners and experts to questions concerning the interpretation of meditation-related challenges, the causal or contextual factors that influence their nature, impact, or duration, as well as the remedies for and 1 For a more extensive description of the project's methodology and for an overview of the results, see Lindahl et al (2017). In particular, on the appropriateness of qualitative methodology, see Methods: Qualitative approach and research paradigm.…”

“…6 The total number here exceeds 12 due to many practitioners practicing in multiple lineages. 7 For a complete list of categories and for a description of the phenomenology see Lindahl et al (2017). The supporting information, Appendix S4, provides a detailed description of each of the 59 phenomenology categories.…”

“…10 The "four modes of birth" (skye gnas bzhi) that are purified through generation stage practice are "miraculous birth," "heat-moisture birth," "egg birth," and "womb birth. 11 For the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria of these and other categories from the Varieties of Contemplative Experience phenomenology and influencing factors codebooks, see the Supplementary Information appendices S4 and S5 associated with Lindahl et al (2017).…”

Mapping Mindfulness-based Performance

“…Jon Kabat-Zinn's work with MBSR has been critically scrutinized, and there has already been something of a backlash from some of those who were amongst the earlier proponents of the benefits of mindfulness (cf. Lindahl et al, 2017). On the MAP project, we are keen to take the opportunity to explore the ramifications of the mindfulness movement as it might be played out in performance contexts, drawing on the lessons learned and discourses already developed in relation to Kabat-Zinn's, and others', mindfulness-based Interventions.…”