I think you gave a hint as to the resolution of the question, "How much would things change if everyone "meditated?"
"When you are better integrated, you are in a meditative state naturally..."
So first, as someone who has (just twice) conducted (and given up on) meditation research, I would say take all such research results with not just a grain, but a few tons of salt.
I just had a conversation with a young meditation researcher who has never even attempted to meditate, for fear he would "lose objectivity.". I asked him if he had any means of knowing if at ANY point during research, his subjects are actually meditating.
Short answer: No.
Well, if the 'meditating" subjects spend the entire experimental period doing your taxes or engaging in sexual fantasies or coming up with revenge schemes, I doubt if your research is going to be of any value whatsoever.
It was also obvious that in his responses, he barely had a clue what "meditation" means.
Let's start from the other end, which Avigail described beautifully - being in an integrated state.
What if, even among the most "traumatized," we found ways to connect to them, and to support them in being connected, through service to others, through somatic experience, through artistic expression, love, compassion, etc - that led directly to greater integration.
Now let's change the wording of the theme of this piece:
"To the extent people are able, through integrated service, embodied awareness and artistic expression, gain at first, glimpses of the open, flexible awareness that is the hallmark of integrated functioning, then through support, slowly but naturally, integrate those glimpses more and more into their daily lives, not only will traumatic symptoms (including physiological ones) resolve, but they will move past "mental illness" concerns toward lives of flourishing and thriving.
As far as the past ages of religion, I doubt more than .00001% of people who prayed did so in the form of contemplative prayer or meditation.
At least, in regard to trauma, this has been my observation of possibilities in working with many suffering from various traumas.
Another excellent run through on the malign influence of materialism upon scientific research and the limits it places upon our development as a species. Speaking truth to power and rejecting fear. 👍💚
I found this a fascinating exploration of materialism and its pitfalls. Thank you so much Avigail for such an interesting piece. I am indebted to you to know that 'mitochondria in our cells display social behaviour' - how far-reaching is that going to be??!!
I think you gave a hint as to the resolution of the question, "How much would things change if everyone "meditated?"
"When you are better integrated, you are in a meditative state naturally..."
So first, as someone who has (just twice) conducted (and given up on) meditation research, I would say take all such research results with not just a grain, but a few tons of salt.
I just had a conversation with a young meditation researcher who has never even attempted to meditate, for fear he would "lose objectivity.". I asked him if he had any means of knowing if at ANY point during research, his subjects are actually meditating.
Short answer: No.
Well, if the 'meditating" subjects spend the entire experimental period doing your taxes or engaging in sexual fantasies or coming up with revenge schemes, I doubt if your research is going to be of any value whatsoever.
It was also obvious that in his responses, he barely had a clue what "meditation" means.
Let's start from the other end, which Avigail described beautifully - being in an integrated state.
What if, even among the most "traumatized," we found ways to connect to them, and to support them in being connected, through service to others, through somatic experience, through artistic expression, love, compassion, etc - that led directly to greater integration.
Now let's change the wording of the theme of this piece:
"To the extent people are able, through integrated service, embodied awareness and artistic expression, gain at first, glimpses of the open, flexible awareness that is the hallmark of integrated functioning, then through support, slowly but naturally, integrate those glimpses more and more into their daily lives, not only will traumatic symptoms (including physiological ones) resolve, but they will move past "mental illness" concerns toward lives of flourishing and thriving.
As far as the past ages of religion, I doubt more than .00001% of people who prayed did so in the form of contemplative prayer or meditation.
At least, in regard to trauma, this has been my observation of possibilities in working with many suffering from various traumas.
Who was the theoretical physicist?
Another excellent run through on the malign influence of materialism upon scientific research and the limits it places upon our development as a species. Speaking truth to power and rejecting fear. 👍💚
I found this a fascinating exploration of materialism and its pitfalls. Thank you so much Avigail for such an interesting piece. I am indebted to you to know that 'mitochondria in our cells display social behaviour' - how far-reaching is that going to be??!!