Passage meditation

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Passage meditation is a modern meditation technique developed by spiritual teacher Eknath Easwaran. Rooted in classic methods found in most spiritual traditions including a long-standing tradition of Hinduism dating back to Vedic times [1] it involves silent, focused repetition of memorized selections (passages) from scriptures of the world and writings of great mystics. According to Easwaran, the principle of meditating on inspired passages is that the words sink deep into our minds, eventually transforming “character, conduct, and consciousness.”

Passage meditation does not require adherence to any particular religion or belief. For example, a minister in the Roman Catholic diocese of Oakland and a registered yoga teacher, describes [2] how passage meditation has served her as a tool for personal transformation. As another example, a group of recovering alcoholics has produced a brochure [3] explaining how passage meditation is a practical method that can be used as part of a 12-step program.

Generally, meditation methods may reduce stress, and research published in 2006 in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology provided evidence that suggests that passage meditation reduces stress and may enhance mental health.[1]

Practiced for one-half hour daily on first arising, passage meditation is the foundational discipline of Easwaran’s Eight Point Program for drawing spiritual ideals into every aspect of daily life:

1. passage meditation

2. repetition of a mantram (or mantra) or prayer word

3. slowing down

4. one-pointed attention

5. training the senses

6. putting others first

7. spiritual companionship

8. spiritual reading

Contents

[edit] Scientific Research on Passage Meditation

In addition to the study of health professionals cited above, other published scientific research on passage meditation includes:

  • Two research studies published in Journal of American College Health and Pastoral Psychology compared changes related to stress, well-being and spirituality in 44 college undergraduates who were randomly assigned to learning either (1) passage meditation and the Eight Point Program, (2) the widely disseminated program of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), or (3) a control condition in which participants did not receive any training. In the two months after the training ended, it was found that in comparison to controls, both Eight Point Program and MBSR participants showed reductions in stress and rumination, and improvements the ability to forgive.[2] Both the passage meditation and the mindfulness groups also showed improvements in ability to use spirituality to cope, and viewed the nature of Higher Powers (i.e., God) more favorably. Consistent with its focus on passages from eminent spiritual figures, only the passage meditation participants showed statistically significant increases in abilities to learn from spiritual exemplars.[3]
  • A research study published in Nursing Science Quarterly used intensive interviews with nurses newly trained in passage meditation and the Eight Point Program. The study revealed that the nurses found many of the practices directly useful in improving their workplace interactions and aiding fulfillment of their compassionate caregiving missions.[4]

Research on passage meditation through early 2007 was reviewed in chapter 6 of Spirit, science and health: How the spiritual mind fuels physical wellness.[5]

[edit] Passage Meditation in Educational Curricula

Passage meditation and the Eight Point Program program have sometimes been integrated into college curricula. One course design based on passage meditation has been systematically described in a professional psychology journal.[6] The course taught both scientific theory and practical tools for learning from spiritual models (people based in family, community, or tradition, who serve as exemplars of spiritual qualities such as character strengths and virtues). The practical component was based on passage meditation, and the theoretical component was based on the highly influential social cognitive theory of psychologist Albert Bandura. A published commentary by Richard M. Lerner, a prominent developmental psychologist of Tufts University, suggested that the course could indeed foster spirituality, positive purpose, wisdom, and positive development among youth.[7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Doug Oman, John Hedberg, and Carl E. Thoresen (2006). "Passage meditation reduces perceived stress in health professionals: A randomized, controlled trial", Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology [Washington, DC: American Psychological Association] v74 n4 pp714-719 Aug 2006 (the article's supplemental materials are available here)
  2. ^ Doug Oman, Shauna L. Shapiro, Carl E. Thoresen, Thomas G. Plante, and Tim Flinders (2008). "Meditation lowers stress and supports forgiveness among college students: A randomized controlled trial", Journal of American College Health v56 n5 pp569-578 Mar/Apr 2008.
  3. ^ Doug Oman, Shauna L. Shapiro, Carl E. Thoresen, Tim Flinders, Joseph Driskill, and Thomas G. Plante (2007). "Learning from spiritual models and meditation: A randomized evaluation of a college course", Pastoral Psychology v55 n4 pp473-493 Mar 2007.
  4. ^ T. Ann Richards, Doug Oman, John Hedberg, Carl E. Thoresen, and Jeanne Bowden (2006). "A Qualitative Examination of a Spiritually-Based Intervention and Self-Management in the Workplace", Nursing Science Quarterly, v19 n3 pp231-239.
  5. ^ Tim Flinders, Doug Oman, and Carol Flinders (2007). The eight-point program of passage meditation: Health effects of a comprehensive program. In Thomas G. Plante, & Carl E. Thoresen (Eds.), Spirit, science and health: How the spiritual mind fuels physical wellness (pp. 72-93) (table of contents), Westport, CT: Praeger. ISBN 978-0-275-99506-5
  6. ^ Doug Oman, Tim Flinders, and Carl E. Thoresen (2008). "Integrating Spiritual Modeling Into Education: A College Course for Stress Management and Spiritual Growth", The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion v18 n2 pp79-107 Apr 2008.
  7. ^ Richard M. Lerner (2008). "Spirituality, Positive Purpose, Wisdom, and Positive Development in Adolescence: Comments on Oman, Flinders, and Thoresen’s Ideas About 'Integrating Spiritual Modeling Into Education'", The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion v18 n2 pp108-118 Apr 2008.

[edit] Further reading