Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
08:08
Using Wavelet Entropy to Demonstrate how Mindfulness Practice Increases Coordination between Irregular Cerebral and Cardiac Activities
Published on: May 10, 2017
Meditation, esoteric traditions--contributions to psychotherapy
American Journal of Psychotherapy
|July 1, 1977
Summary
Eastern meditative practices offer therapeutic benefits by enhancing psychological insight and conditioning the central nervous system. These techniques help individuals overcome self-defeating behaviors and manage distressing thoughts effectively.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Eastern Philosophy
- Therapeutic Techniques
Background:
- Exploration of Eastern philosophical and therapeutic systems.
- Focus on Buddhist contributions and meditation.
- Integration of traditional practices with modern psychology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce Eastern philosophical and therapeutic systems.
- To survey Buddhist contributions to psychology.
- To examine contemporary applications of meditation in modern psychologic science.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Eastern philosophies and therapies.
- Survey of Buddhist meditation techniques.
- Analysis of modern psychological frameworks.
Main Results:
- Meditation yields three key therapeutic gains.
- Increased insight into self-defeating behavioral patterns.
- Desensitization to painful thoughts and central nervous system conditioning.
Conclusions:
- Traditional meditation techniques are compatible with modern psychologic science.
- Meditative exercises offer significant therapeutic potential.
- Eastern philosophies provide valuable tools for psychological well-being.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Freudian Psychology
Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist born in 1856, significantly influenced psychology through his exploration of the unconscious mind. His interest in patients suffering from hysteria and neurosis — conditions without apparent physical causes — led him to theorize the existence of an unconscious mind, a repository for feelings and urges beyond our awareness. Freud's innovative approach included techniques such as dream analysis, free association, and attention to slips of the tongue to...
01:28Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a versatile, nonmedical approach aimed at helping individuals address emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal issues to enhance their overall well-being. It can involve one-on-one sessions, couples counseling, or small group discussions with a therapist. The therapeutic process includes various techniques such as open discussion, interpretation of thoughts and behaviors, active listening, positive reinforcement, and role modeling. Psychotherapy aims to support individuals in...
01:25Elements Crucial for Effective Psychotherapy
Research has highlighted several critical factors that influence the effectiveness of psychotherapy, such as the therapeutic alliance, the therapist, and the client.
The Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The alliance strengthens when the therapist and the client engage in a nurturing, supportive, trusting, empathetic, and respectful relationship, improving therapeutic outcomes. Therapists must monitor this relationship...
The Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The alliance strengthens when the therapist and the client engage in a nurturing, supportive, trusting, empathetic, and respectful relationship, improving therapeutic outcomes. Therapists must monitor this relationship...
01:29Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapies emphasize the exploration of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences as fundamental contributors to psychological difficulties. These therapies, deeply rooted in Freud's psychoanalytic theory, aim to uncover and resolve unconscious conflicts, granting individuals insights that promote emotional and behavioral healing. Contemporary psychodynamic approaches have evolved, integrating a broader range of influences and methodologies while still valuing the...
01:24Humanistic Therapy
Humanistic therapies emphasize personal growth, self-understanding, and the fulfillment of human potential. Rooted in the belief that individuals inherently strive toward self-actualization, these approaches encourage clients to explore their feelings and experiences in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. Humanistic therapies differ from psychodynamic approaches by focusing on conscious experiences, present circumstances, and the potential for self-improvement rather than past conflicts...
01:29Introspection
Introspection, long upheld as a reliable route to self-knowledge, involves examining one's thoughts, emotions, and mental processes. It underpins many psychological practices, from mindfulness meditation to psychotherapy and self-help strategies. However, empirical evidence challenges the accuracy of introspection as a means of understanding oneself.Limitations of Introspective InsightSeminal work by Nisbett and Wilson demonstrated that individuals are frequently unaware of the true causes...