A Model for the Levels of Concentrative Meditation

Journal/Book: The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. 1977; XXV: 236-273.

Abstract: Classical Tibetan meditation texts are used to specify the most important variables in meditation that can be subjected to empirical test. There are 3 kinds of variables: (a) nonspecific variables, common to all meditation svstems; (b) specifc variables, limited to specifici types of medtation practice;-and.(c) time-dependent variables, changing over the course of meditation practice. The latter time-dependent variables comprise the majority of meditation varibles. One set of time-dependent variables for classical concentrative meditation is explored. Using the semantic-Field method of translating. technical terms most important in each level of the entire phenomenology of concentrative meditation are discussed. These terms are translated into hypotheses, which are worded in terms of traditional constructs from cognitive psychology. Supporting empirical research is presented and suggestions for further research are made. Certain similarities are noted between the Yogic texts and the constructivist theories of perception. information-processing. and affect. The overall direction of change in concentrative meditation follows an invariant sequence of levels of consciousness.

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