April 2019 PMID 30403693

Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science.

Cassandra Vieten, Helané Wahbeh, B Rael Cahn, Katherine MacLean, Mica Estrada, Paul Mills, Michael Murphy, Shauna Shapiro, Dean Radin, Zoran Josipovic, David E Presti, Michael Sapiro, Jan Chozen Bays, Peter Russell, David Vago

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Mentions

31
Peak: 4 in Feb 2019
across 5 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

72,606
potential audience

Total likes

786

Video views

19,046

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Oct 2024

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter11 posts
  • News11 articles
  • Facebook4 posts
  • Reddit3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect a generally positive stance toward the paper, with examples like praises for the authors and mentions of mystical and extraordinary aspects such as telepathy and mystical experiences. The tone combines curiosity, support, and some skepticism, showing moderate engagement with the ideas and potential influence on future research directions.

AgreementModerate agreement

Many discussions express support for the article, particularly in highlighting its recognition of complex phenomena like mystical and transpersonal experiences, indicating agreement with its expanded view of meditation research.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions reveal active curiosity about unconventional aspects of meditation, including mystical states, telepathy, and extraordinary phenomena, showing high interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments include referencing the paper’s implications, questioning research validity, and reflecting on future directions, demonstrating thoughtful engagement but not deep theoretical critique.

ImpactModerate impact

Several posts emphasize the importance of broadening meditation research, suggesting the article could influence future studies, thus having a moderate perceived impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Meditation research has mainly focused on its clinical benefits, brain and bodily responses, and individual emotional aspects, while neglecting more complex and rare experiences like group dynamics, mystical states, and extraordinary phenomena.
  • Recently, a group of researchers and teachers created recommendations to explore these understudied aspects, aiming to deepen understanding of meditation's psychological and spiritual impacts, especially for beginners who may encounter unfamiliar or puzzling experiences.
  • Surveys of meditators reveal that many do experience these unusual phenomena, and studying them scientifically could open new avenues for meditation research, offering insights into how these experiences contribute to personal growth and well-being.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
David Metcalfe
@davidbmetcalfe · X

Future Directions in Meditation Research: Recommendations for Expanding the Field of Contemplative Science. The latest blog post from @ParapsychF Research Fellow Dr Carlos S Alvarado focuses on a new paper on meditation research published in @PLOSONE: https://t.co/EQXzWX5hfd https://t.co/IJf2Q5fArI

Feb 15, 2019 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 6,243 followers View post →
Dave Vago
@dave_vago · X

"mystical, transpersonal, or transcendent aspects of contemplative practices are not only epiphenomena, but could be important outcomes of meditation practice" - reflecting back on mystical Tuesday - what an amazing group of authors - https://t.co/TUbRQMzWuj #selftranscendence

Mar 2, 2021 · 4 likes · 2,366 followers View post →
Oshan Jarow
@OshanJarow · X

@melodaysong First is from this paper: https://t.co/UD0jbM5oZ7 Second is a forthcoming essay of mine on psychedelics — hopefully next week!

May 11, 2023 · 1 like · 3,237 followers View post →
RenaeBella29
@WendyBella29 · X

https://t.co/ymCwwlq3gj

Feb 14, 2019 · 1 like · 1,394 followers View post →
Markus Jokela
@mmjokela · X

@0x49fa98 @BenWinegard Also, how much are we to trust studies in which over half of the respondents report experiencing "clairvoyance/telepathy" and "non-physical entities" with meditation? Not ordinary meditation, for sure. https://t.co/MHfzcywpAd https://t.co/nrL7FRi4PO

Mar 17, 2021 · 1 like · 1,021 followers View post →
IONS
@IONSonline · X

IONS Director of Research, Helané Wahbeh's article "Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science" is among the top 10% most cited @PLOSONE papers! https://t.co/UuxmWs2UWv #PLOSTopCited https://t.co/qN1vV7soLO

Aug 2, 2021 · 16,171 followers View post →

All mentions

Oshan Jarow
@OshanJarow · X

@melodaysong First is from this paper: https://t.co/UD0jbM5oZ7 Second is a forthcoming essay of mine on psychedelics — hopefully next week!

May 11, 2023 · 1 like · 3,237 followers View post →
IONS
@IONSonline · X

IONS Director of Research, Helané Wahbeh's article "Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science" is among the top 10% most cited @PLOSONE papers! https://t.co/UuxmWs2UWv #PLOSTopCited https://t.co/qN1vV7soLO

Aug 2, 2021 · 16,171 followers View post →
Anastasie
@Psychanastasie · X

Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science [Cassandra Vieten, Helané Wahbeh, PLoS One. 2018; 13(11): e0205740. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205740] https://t.co/h6Gjz97AHJ https://t.co/xEJzhHq6K9

Jun 7, 2021 · 12,082 followers View post →
Markus Jokela
@mmjokela · X

@0x49fa98 @BenWinegard Also, how much are we to trust studies in which over half of the respondents report experiencing "clairvoyance/telepathy" and "non-physical entities" with meditation? Not ordinary meditation, for sure. https://t.co/MHfzcywpAd https://t.co/nrL7FRi4PO

Mar 17, 2021 · 1 like · 1,021 followers View post →
Dave Vago
@dave_vago · X

"mystical, transpersonal, or transcendent aspects of contemplative practices are not only epiphenomena, but could be important outcomes of meditation practice" - reflecting back on mystical Tuesday - what an amazing group of authors - https://t.co/TUbRQMzWuj #selftranscendence

Mar 2, 2021 · 4 likes · 2,366 followers View post →
Fabien Devaugermé
@FDevaugerme · X

Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science https://t.co/4VvAjp3vlM

May 19, 2019 · 27 followers View post →
QualiaNow
@QualiaNow · X

Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science. https://t.co/DBannhewuZ

Apr 11, 2019 · 4 followers View post →
Loyd Auerbach
@profparanormal · X

RT @davidbmetcalfe: Future Directions in Meditation Research: Recommendations for Expanding the Field of Contemplative Science. The latest…

Feb 15, 2019 · 2 shares · 1,959 followers View post →
Red Pill Junkie
@red_pill_junkie · X

RT @davidbmetcalfe: Future Directions in Meditation Research: Recommendations for Expanding the Field of Contemplative Science. The latest…

Feb 15, 2019 · 2 shares · 9,045 followers View post →
David Metcalfe
@davidbmetcalfe · X

Future Directions in Meditation Research: Recommendations for Expanding the Field of Contemplative Science. The latest blog post from @ParapsychF Research Fellow Dr Carlos S Alvarado focuses on a new paper on meditation research published in @PLOSONE: https://t.co/EQXzWX5hfd https://t.co/IJf2Q5fArI

Feb 15, 2019 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 6,243 followers View post →
RenaeBella29
@WendyBella29 · X

https://t.co/ymCwwlq3gj

Feb 14, 2019 · 1 like · 1,394 followers View post →