by Deane H. Shapiro, Jr., Ph.D.
(1992) Scientific research on the content and context of meditation: Relationship to physical and mental health. Japanese Health Psychology, 1(1), 70-89
Meditation
Overview bibliography of DHS Meditation Writings
by Murphy, M and Donovan, S
The physical and psychological effects of meditation (A review of contemporary Meditation research with a comprehensive bibliography 1931-1988 (pp. 65-67); updated from: Murphy, M and Donovan, S, A bibliography of meditation theory and practice, 1930-1983 , Murphy, M and Donovan, S, Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, l983, 15(2) , 181-228
Zen meditation, cognitive/behavioral psychology, and a religious quest
by Deane H. Shapiro, Jr., Ph.D.
(1992) Zen meditation, cognitive/behavioral psychology, and a religious quest: Reflections on a twenty year return. Japanese Health Psychology, 1(1), 5-19.
Tassajara
by D Shapiro
Creative words
flow downstream
with the current.
Embarrassed..
writing thoughts
in the meditation room
TASSAJARA DESCRIPTION: (from brochure):is a natural hot springs located in a remote valley in the heart of the Ventana Wilderness in California. Tassajara, also referred to by its monastery name of Zenshinji (Zen Heart-Mind Temple), is dedicated to San Francisco Zen Center’s mission, which is “to embody, express, and make accessible the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha.” Surrounded by inspiring mountain vistas, Tassajara encourages a more spacious and present way of being. The hot springs melt away the stress and dust of daily living. Carefully prepared food nourishes body and spirit. The air and the skies are crystal clear, and the stars shine brightly at night. Away from the distractions and demands of daily life, supported by the sounds of the creek and the breeze in the sycamores, the opportunity to deeply relax and connect with the natural world is readily at hand.
A POEM WRITTEN DURING MY RETREAT THERE
From the top of the mountain
I look down on the beauty of Tasahara,
From within the sanctuary of Tasahara,
I see the beauty of my home
* * *
A journal note:
At Tasahara I thought of leaving in the middle of the meditation. Is it a compulsive goal-oriented pushing it through or is it learning the discipline that’s necessary to still oneself. To leave or not to leave is a “left brain” analytical decision Adolescent rebellion? The shadow of me seemed to disappear. Was it habituation or the fact that the sun was rising and getting lighter. Very aware of the master walking with his stick — shadow on shadow. At Tasahara meditation was (no research project) — like footprints in the sand learning, possessing is a research project. Often I find myself wanting to do
I remember when talking at Tasahara with one of the monks in training about what Suzukiroshi thought during meditation. He said “That’s like asking the sky what it feels”. The monk said that Suzukiroshi once said that it’s really unimportant to discuss insights during meditation because it doesn’t make any difference anyway. Certainly it was ok to have thoughts “but just don’t invite them to have tea”.
Meditation as an altered state of consciousness
by Deane H. Shapiro, Jr., Ph.D.
Meditation as an altered state of consciousness: Empirical contributions of Western behavioral science. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 1983, 15, (1), 61-81.
Self-control, control by a benevolent other, and meditation
by Deane H. Shapiro, Jr., Ph.D.
Self-control, control by a benevolent other, and meditation: Is God a confounding variable in
meditation research? In MGT Kwee (Ed.) Psychotherapy, Meditation, and Health London/Hague: East–West Publications, 1990, 65-123.
Zenvagen (PDF file) – Self-control, control by a benevolent other, and meditation: Is God a confounding variable in meditation research? In MGT Kwee (Ed.)Psychotherapy, Meditation, and Health London/Hague: East–West Publications, 1990, 65-123.
Translation: Swedish (H. Karllson). Part One In Zenvagen,46, 13-27, 1991; Part Two in Zenvagen 47,10-15, 1991.
Meditation and Human Control
Meditation is a technique of attentional focusing which has been practiced for several thousand years within the world’s great religious traditions. Over the past twenty-five years several hundred studies have been reported in the scientific literature detailing meditation’s effects in three areas: 1) self-regulation effects on areas ranging from stress and pain management to decreasing hypertension; 2) self-exploration effects; and 3) phenomenological, altered state effects involving increased sense of unity with oneself, others, and the universe. This paper reviews those effects; offers a cautionary note to those wanting to learn meditation; and then provides directions for a simple, non-cultic meditation technique, and gives guidelines and suggestions for where to get further information about the practice of meditation–both secular and non-secular.
Clinical Use of Meditation as a Self-Regulation Strategy
by Deane H. Shapiro, Jr., Ph.D.
Clinical Use of Meditation as a Self-Regulation Strategy: Comments on Holmes’s Conclusions and Implications. American Psychologist, June 1985, 40: 719-722.
Clinical and health related applications
by Deane H. Shapiro, Jr., Ph.D.
Meditation: Clinical and health related applications. Western Journal of Medicine, 1981, 134, 141-142.
Clinical use of meditation with children and adolescents
by Deane H. Shapiro, Jr., Ph.D.
Clinical use of meditation with children and adolescents: Psychological and physiological changes. In L. H. Gross (ed). Children and Adolescents: Health and Behavior. l981 New York: Macmillan. 192-193.