Search Results (300)

This study contrasts the Ganhwa Seon (看話禪) practice theories of Dahui Zonggao, Gaofeng Yuanmiao, and Mengshan Deyi with the focused attention/open monitoring (FA/OM) model proposed by Lutz et al. and the three-family model developed by Dahl et al., both of which are meditation classification frameworks based on cognitive mechanisms. Although these two frameworks have served as standard models in comparative meditation research, their criteria are based primarily on the sati tradition of Theravāda Buddhism and on Tibetan meditation and therefore have difficulty fully accounting for the principles of East Asian Seon practice. Using the Dahui Pujue Chanshi Shu, Gaofeng Yuanmiao Chanshi Chanyao, and Mengshan Heshang Fayu Lüelu as primary sources, this study compares Ganhwa Seon with the two meditation frameworks along five axes: attentional structure, core mechanism, the status of faith (信心), patterns of progression, and epistemological premises. The analysis shows that the huatou, as a conceptually irresolvable question, is neither a determinate object of FA nor the absence of an object characteristic of OM. Yiqing (疑情) operates not by stabilizing attention but by continuously deepening the question. The process by which yiqing condenses into a mass of doubt (疑團) eliminates the very separation between observer and object and thus differs from the investigation-based self-inquiry of the deconstructive family. Faith constitutes the basis on which yiqing arises, and therefore classifications organized solely around attentional functions have difficulty capturing this constitutive relationship. Progress in practice likewise has a nonlinear structure, involving not the gradual automatization of a technique but a leap into sudden enlightenment (頓悟) through the crisis of the silver mountain and iron wall. The cognitive crisis here is not an incidental by-product but an intentionally designed mechanism. Furthermore, the Eight Don’ts (八不得), by excluding introspective observation and rational analysis, indicate the need for a new approach to existing research methodologies that have presupposed introspective self-report. In conclusion, this study proposes that Ganhwa Seon be treated as a distinct unit of analysis in comparative meditation research. Rather than replacing existing classification frameworks, this proposal aims to broaden and supplement their attentional-function-based classification axes toward a more pluralistic classification model. Full article

Modern healthcare systems, grounded in the logic of Western natural science, compartmentalize the mind and body, thereby privileging physical phenomena while excluding non-scientific or metaphysical understandings of illness. Within this context, Taiwan’s flourishing body–mind–spirit movements represent an important counter-discourse that challenges biomedical reductionism by reasserting the unity of corporeal and spiritual. Drawing on ethnographic research of the contemporary Taiwanese spiritual organization GW (pseudonym), this study examines how its teachings and practices articulate an alternative ontology of illness and healing. GW interprets certain ailments as manifestations of karmic or spiritual disturbances, and advocates meditative discipline, and bodily training as a means of restoring balance. The group’s framework situates the body not as a passive object of treatment but as an active site of transformation, reviving the Chinese tradition of self-cultivation. The analysis argues that GW exemplifies a modern revival of the tradition of self-cultivation within a scientifically oriented society. Full article

Jigan (寂感), derived from the Book of Changes, which states “when remaining in serene stillness without stirring, it attains universal penetration once stirred by resonance (jiran budong ganer suitong 寂然不動感而遂通).” It describes the profound subtlety of the Zhouyi. On the other hand, Jizhao (寂照) is a Sinicized Buddhist interpretation denoting the non-dual integration of true suchness and prajñā wisdom. Jigan developed into an ontological framework during the Song Dynasty (960–1279), while jizhao took shape during the Wei-Jin period. Philosophically, both manifest a non-dual substance-function structure “quiescence as resonance” and “quiescence as illumination.” They jointly serve as the foundational model for mind-nature cultivation and spiritual transcendence. From this theory of cultivation, however, divergent spiritual aspirations of Confucianism and Buddhism. Confucianism elucidates the principle of universal oneness of all things through quietude-resonance, pursuing the spiritual realm of sagehood. By contrast, Buddhism penetrates through self-attachment and dharma-attachment via quiescent illumination, thereby detaching from all karmic conditions, and manifests Prajñā. Confucianism integrates the practice of jigan into its ritual education, sacrificial ceremonies and daily disciplinary norms, rendering it a practical pathway for sustaining the cosmic-ethical order and generating ritual authority. Buddhism implements jizhao in meditation, precepts, and monastic life, constructing an enlightenment-oriented sacred community. Jigan and jizhao represent two distinct paths of religious transformation and spiritual attainment. This paper compares how both emanate from the ontological state of “serene stillness without stirring” into practical cultivation manifested as “resonance penetrating all things” or “simultaneity of illumination and function”, and ultimately shape divergent modes of sacredness and forms of social integration. While jigan and jizhao reveal a structural convergence in the cultivation theories of Confucianism and Buddhism, they also demonstrate disparate orientations in their spiritual aspirations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mindfulness-based interventions show promise for reducing stress in people living with dementia, but rigorous evidence against active control conditions remains limited, and little is known about how to adapt mindfulness for the specific needs of this population. MindArt is an innovative eight-week art-based mindfulness programme developed specifically for people living with dementia and their care partners, which uses repetitive mark-making to facilitate present-moment engagement through doing rather than requiring abstract meditation practice. Methods: This randomised crossover trial compared MindArt with Memory Café, an active social control for people living with dementia and their care partners. Thirty-two dyads were randomly allocated to MindArt followed by Memory Café, or Memory Café followed by MindArt, with a 10-week washout period separating the two eight-week intervention periods. Twenty-six dyads completed the trial. The primary outcome was perceived stress, measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Secondary outcomes included wellbeing, quality of life, cognitive function, and care partner burden and positive caregiving experiences. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyse treatment effects. Results: MindArt produced a significantly greater reduction in perceived stress for people living with dementia compared to Memory Café (GES = 0.16, p = 0.032), representing a large effect size. The marginal mean change was −2.43 points for MindArt (95% CI: −4.28, −0.59) versus 0.21 points for Memory Café (95% CI: −1.62, 2.04). No significant between-intervention differences were found for secondary outcomes for people living with dementia or for any outcome for care partners. Structured observations indicated that people living with dementia were engaged in 96% of MindArt sessions, with positive affect recorded in 74% of observations. Conclusions: MindArt offers an accessible and enjoyable pathway to stress reduction for people living with dementia, with effects extending beyond the non-specific benefits of social participation alone, supporting its potential as a community-based post-diagnostic support option. Full article

Immersive virtual reality (VR) may support mindfulness and related therapeutic skills, but the contribution of wearable sensors and external hardware to adherence remains un-certain. This systematic review narratively synthesized randomized trials published from 1 January 2020 to 10 November 2025 that evaluated VR-based mindfulness or meditation in therapeutic populations. Four bibliographic or publisher sources were searched. Technology configuration, adherence, engagement, safety, and clinical outcomes were extracted, and methodological quality was appraised with the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Fifteen reports were included in the current synthesis. Hardware and software reporting was inconsistent, and no trial directly compared an otherwise-equivalent VR intervention with versus without an added wearable or peripheral. Retention was frequently described as high or attrition as low, but adherence definitions and denominators varied; discomfort, cybersickness, technical barriers, clinical events, and time demands were also reported. Physiological peripherals were used mainly for measurement or biofeedback. Because populations, interventions, comparators, and outcome definitions were hetero-generous, no meta-analysis was undertaken. The evidence supports feasibility in several therapeutic settings but does not establish a causal effect of added hardware on adherence or clinical outcomes. Future trials should preregister hardware-specific hypotheses, report complete technology and safety specifications, and directly compare otherwise-equivalent VR configurations. Full article

Background/Objectives: After menopause, hormonal, age-related, and lifestyle factors may adversely affect physical functioning and psychological well-being. This study compared immediate changes in physical function, psychological health, and health-related quality of life following a five-day Combined Marine Treatment Program (CMTP) with those observed under a usual-routine control condition. Methods: A parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted with 62 postmenopausal women allocated equally to the CMTP and control groups. The CMTP included coastal walking, resistance exercises, mindfulness meditation, and visits to local natural attractions. Participants in the control group continued their customary daily activities. The co-primary outcomes were the Timed Up and Go test and the Short Form-36. Secondary outcomes were grip strength, pinch strength, static balance, the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to test whether temporal changes differed between groups. Trial registration was completed through the Clinical Research Information Service of the Republic of Korea (KCT0009741). Results: Changes over time differed significantly between groups for the Timed Up and Go test, grip strength, pinch strength, eyes-open sway area, eyes-closed sway area, eyes-closed sway velocity, and all self-reported outcomes. Post-intervention values differed significantly between groups for the Timed Up and Go test, pinch strength, both eyes-closed balance measures, and all self-reported outcomes. No adverse events were reported during the trial. Conclusions: Relative to the usual-routine condition, the five-day CMTP was associated with immediate changes in selected performance-based physical outcomes and broader changes across self-reported psychological and health-related quality-of-life outcomes. Brief multicomponent coastal health programs therefore warrant further study in postmenopausal women. Full article

Major societal stressors such as pandemics and economic crises can significantly disrupt individual well-being through altered sleep patterns. This study uses a mixed-methods approach to explore the underlying causes and consumption expressions of sleep disturbance during the COVID-19 lockdown. Based on qualitative responses from 59 participants, the findings reveal three core disturbance patterns: delayed sleep schedules, increased sleep duration, and sleep restriction. These shifts were associated with a combination of emotional arousal, cognitive overload, and disrupted routines. Two dominant types of pre-sleep thought processes—pressing and comforting—appear to influence sleep outcomes. Despite the availability of mindfulness and guided-meditation technologies, most participants did not adopt these tools, citing either skepticism or inertia. The proposed model highlights the interplay between personal traits, pre-sleep behavior, and stress responses in shaping sleep. The study offers implications for public health initiatives, suggesting that targeted and accessible interventions are needed to support sleep health during a major stressor. Full article

Perimenopause is a complex, multidimensional biopsychosocial transition characterized by endocrine fluctuations that interact with psychological vulnerabilities, sleep disturbances, and physical symptoms, significantly impacting women’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL). While hormonal therapies remain a viable option, there is an increasing demand for acceptable and accessible non-pharmacological interventions. This structured narrative review synthesizes recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence evaluating integrative non-pharmacological interventions for mental health and HRQoL during the menopausal transition. A structured search was performed in MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for RCTs published between 1 January 2021 and 30 June 2026. Methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale: Nineteen RCTs met the eligibility criteria and were categorized into five domains: (i) lifestyle and structured exercise interventions, (ii) psychological, educational, and coaching-based interventions, (iii) mind–body and meditative movement interventions, (iv) acupuncture and traditional technique-based interventions, and (v) herbal and nutraceutical interventions. Overall, physical activity, Mediterranean- or DASH-oriented dietary counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), health coaching, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), yoga, and Tai Chi were associated with favorable findings for depressive and anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, insomnia, sexual functioning, and menopause-specific quality of life. Acupuncture, moxibustion, and specific nutraceuticals yielded positive but highly heterogeneous or formulation-specific outcomes. The breadth of reported effects appeared to vary according to comparator selection, with broader findings generally observed against inactive controls than against active or sham comparators. Current evidence supports integrating tailored non-pharmacological strategies within patient-centered perimenopausal care. However, substantial heterogeneity in perimenopause definitions, small sample sizes, high attrition in select trials, and a lack of long-term follow-up limit generalizable conclusions. Future research requires standardized staging, active comparative-effectiveness designs, and implementation evaluation within multidisciplinary healthcare settings. Full article

As the pace of modern life continues to accelerate, the pressure participants face is growing, and mental health issues are becoming increasingly prominent. Against this backdrop, meditation, as a proven method for stress relief and relaxation, has garnered widespread attention. However, many people face challenges during meditation, such as difficulty entering a meditative state quickly or achieving sub-optimal outcomes. This is particularly true for beginners, who often struggle to accurately gauge the rhythm of meditation and thus fail to fully harness its regulatory effects on both body and mind. To address these issues, this study proposes a handheld meditation device. By making contact with the body via sensors, the device can measure multiple physiological metrics in real time, including skin conductance, electromyography, and heart rate. Based on these measurements, the device can monitor the user’s emotional fluctuations in real time. When emotional changes are detected, it uses the data to play music, release specific scents, or adjust lighting ambiance, thereby dynamically regulating the user’s psychological state. This helps users better immerse themselves in a meditative state and effectively enhances the benefits of meditation. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the device’s design principles, detailing its hardware components—including various sensors and emotional regulation modules—and explaining the operational logic of its software algorithms. The effectiveness and reliability of the device were verified through rigorous experiments. The study also thoroughly examines the application prospects and potential value of this handheld meditation device, exploring new approaches and methods for the development of meditation technology and related equipment. Full article

Background/Objectives: University students commonly experience psychological distress driven by academic demands, social transitions, and financial pressures. Mindfulness-based interventions have emerged as scalable approaches to improve mental health. However, evidence comparing their effectiveness across delivery formats remains limited. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression and to compare outcomes across in-person, digital, and hybrid modalities. Methods: This review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2020 and December 2025 on mindfulness-based interventions among university students aged 18 years and older. Intervention duration ranged from 3 days to 12 weeks, with most lasting 4 to 8 weeks, and outcomes included validated measures of stress, anxiety, or depression. Literature research was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science, and two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Results: A total of 24 RCTs were included, with the highest representation from the United States and China (n = 4 each), followed by the United Kingdom and Canada. Mindfulness-based interventions demonstrated consistent reductions in depression and generally positive effects on anxiety, while effects on stress were more variable. Digital interventions demonstrated effectiveness comparable to in-person programs, though outcomes varied by intervention structure and level of guidance. Conclusions: Mindfulness-based interventions are effective in improving mental health among university students, particularly for depression and anxiety. Multi-week programs and guided digital delivery appear to enhance effectiveness and scalability. Full article

Mindful pedagogy integrates a mindful approach in the classroom to support learning, creativity, and wellbeing using formal meditative practice or informal subject-related mindful practice or both. Since 2019, Mindful Kitchen Health and Wellbeing for Chefs, a globally unique module, has been delivered within year 1 of an undergraduate culinary arts programme. It uses a mindful pedagogical approach in a teaching kitchen setting promoting student self-care, mindfulness with food and positive kitchen culture. This qualitative single-case study explores its impact on the wellbeing of chefs in a real-world context and the process that creates that impact. The case study database includes interviews with graduates (n = 11), students (n = 7), module artefacts, co-creation workshops, and researcher reflection on class observations. Four themes emerged: stepping into wellbeing using the breath builds self-awareness, a mindful classroom builds creative confidence, calm minds empower the self for the workplace and informal mindful pedagogy creates “spacious applied learning” in Higher Education (HE). These unique insights can inform wellbeing-focused pedagogical practice in HE settings. Students’ experiences are easily transferable into other disciplines; however, further research should investigate nuances in transferability. Recommendations on integrating this approach into educators’ practice to strengthen wellbeing-focused teaching are presented. Full article

This study examines Chan meditation as a resource for spiritual ecology through two foundational texts, the Platform Sutra (Tanjing 壇經) and the Compendium of Five Lamps (Wudeng Huiyuan 五燈會元). The Platform Sutra reformulates meditation as “the non-abiding of mind” (xin wu suozhu 心無所住), with “no-thought as the essence” (wunian weizong 無念為宗) and “the unity of concentration and wisdom” (dinghui yiti 定惠一體) as its core tenets, thus grounding a distinctively Chan understanding of perception and engagement. The Compendium of Five Lamps carries these principles into pedagogical practice through gong’an, in which two recurrent operations may be identified: spatial deconstruction that unsettles fixed subject–object distinctions, and temporal liberation that releases practice from teleological striving and returns awareness to the immediacy of the present. Building on these analyses, this study argues that the self-nature trikāya taught in the Platform Sutra provides an immanent articulation through which Chan awakening extends from non-dual realization to transformed perception and responsive engagement with the world. On this reading, Chan spiritual ecology is best understood not as a modern overlay on the tradition but as an unfolding of its own soteriological logic, and as one possible response to the contemporary crisis of meaning and ecological estrangement. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been linked to psychological and cognitive benefits, yet evidence for their impact on brain structure remains sparse. Neuroimaging suggests MBIs may alter gray matter volume (GMV), density (GMD), and cortical thickness (CT). The purpose of this scoping review was to investigate structural neuroplasticity following MBIs. Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, databases were searched for studies published between 2010 and 2023 that used structural MRI to assess structural brain changes in subjects after receiving MBIs. Nine studies met inclusion criteria, including five randomized controlled trials. Results: Mindfulness interventions ranged from 10 h of training to long-term practice spanning decades. Structural changes were most consistently observed in the insula, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, posterior cingulate, and temporoparietal junction, regions tied to interoception, executive control, and self-referential processing. The greatest structural changes were reported in studies implementing multi-month interventions or long-term meditative practice. Conclusions: MBIs are associated with structural brain changes across a limited and heterogeneous body of literature, but current evidence is insufficient to draw firm conclusions regarding causality or consistency of effect. Larger, diverse, and more methodologically rigorous trials with extended follow-up are needed to clarify the durability and significance of observed changes. Full article

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive medical concern affecting millions of people worldwide, with the majority being women. IPV is linked to a number of long-term physical and mental health consequences, including brain injuries and associated persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite the high prevalence of these conditions, there is sparse literature assessing accessible and effective therapeutic avenues specific to IPV victim-survivors. Methods: This narrative review had two aims: to identify therapeutic studies addressing PTSD and PPCS in women IPV survivors, and to provide a narrative overview of potential therapeutic categories, including psychotherapy, mindfulness and meditation, exercise, and pharmacotherapy. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria required full-text, peer-reviewed articles published in English, conducted in women with a history of IPV, reporting treatment outcomes related to PTSD or PPCS. Where no IPV-specific evidence was identified, findings from closely related populations including military veterans, athletes, and general TBI samples were narratively reviewed to inform potential therapeutic implications. Results: Nineteen studies addressing PTSD in women IPV survivors were identified, predominantly utilizing psychotherapeutic or mindfulness and meditation-based interventions. No intervention studies targeting PPCS specifically in IPV survivors were identified. Consequently, results for PPCS are largely extrapolated from adjacent populations. Although potential therapeutic avenues were narratively identified across psychotherapy, mindfulness and meditation, exercise, and pharmacotherapy, IPV-specific evidence remains limited, and validation for PTSD and PPCS in this population is needed before clinical recommendations can be made. Conclusions: While 19 studies identified promising therapeutic options for IPV-related PTSD, no IPV-specific PPCS interventions were identified, and implications for PPCS management remain largely inferential. Validation and integrated trauma-informed approaches addressing the intersection of PTSD and PPCS are needed for this understudied population. Full article

Meditation-related difficulties have been systematically documented in contemporary contemplative science, yet the prescriptive resources preserved in the ancient Buddhist commentarial literature remain underutilized in comparative research. This study analyzes the case of five hundred monks in the Paramatthajotikā I’s commentary on the Karaṇīya-metta-sutta. During intensive practice, these monks experienced complex psychosomatic symptoms—perceptual disturbances, fear, somatic distress, and cognitive impairment—and received from the Buddha an integrated prescription of five protective practices (pañca rakkhā). Through Pāli textual and comparative analysis with Lindahl et al.’s taxonomy of meditation-related difficulties, this study demonstrates that the monks’ symptoms correspond systematically to the perceptual, affective, somatic, and cognitive domains of the modern taxonomy, with the critical difference residing in interpretive frameworks rather than in the phenomena themselves. The five practices—loving-kindness meditation, protective chant recitation, contemplation of impurity, mindfulness of death, and the arousal of religious urgency—constitute a sequentially structured system progressing from the emotional reframing of fear to the deconstruction of bodily and existential attachment, culminating in the restoration of soteriological motivation. This study argues that Paramatthajotikā I’s prescriptive system provides a historically grounded, soteriologically oriented complement to contemporary contemplative science, particularly in bridging the gap between phenomenological classification and meaning-centered intervention. Full article