Introduction
Meditation has been known to reduce stress in counseling many different clients. It has been a technique used since the 60s in the USA. Different programs such as alcoholics anonymous, narcotics anonymous and many behavior therapies have incorporated different meditation techniques within their program. Identifying different factors and limitations to incorporate meditation in an addiction setting is very important. This research paper will be a guide for different meditations with in an addiction setting.
In 2013, according to the substance abuse and mental health service administration estimated 22.7 million people in the United States suffered with substance abuse. Out of the people suffering approximately 2.5 people received
…show more content…
Depending on secular or spiritual meditation you can break it down into three different categories’. There is a devotional meditation, mantra meditation and a mindfulness meditation. Devotional meditation is often associated with religious practices in the Christian faith. Devotional is contemplated on a prayer, positive thought or biblical passage and is often encouraged during a 12 step program as a daily morning practice. Mantra and Mindfulness can be focused or unfocused and will be greater explained in this paper.
Mantra Meditation A mantra can be defined as a word or slogan repeated frequently to occupy the mind. It is said that mantras are like medicine for the soul. When using mantra meditation, the word or slogan is believed to have some sort of a higher power. There is focused and unfocused mantra meditation. Yogi’s popular meditation is also known as an unfocused meditation. You do not focus your attention at one time, but throughout the day. You have a word, sound or slogan with a meaning that takes away negative thoughts. If one is interested during this meditation you are able to involve your faith practices. A focused type of mantra meditation focused on your inner self. This mediation focuses the attention in a relaxed way, where there is darkness and you are repeating a name in some form of a God. You are able to find your inner light and feel happiness and joy. This is a common practice in the Hinduism
Although much research in the area of transcendental meditation and its purported benefits remain to be performed, numerous data exist which support the contention that transcendental meditation is effective as a preventive and therapeutic method of treatment for the abuse of alcohol and other substances. Considering its numerous psychological effects as well as its rewarding health benefits, TM may be an appealing alternative to those whose previous treatment outcomes were unsuccessful or unsatisfying. In light of the poor success rates obtained by the majority of alcohol abuse prevention and treatment programs, a technique which fosters self-efficacy, stability, and a sense of empowerment may be just what is needed by alcohol abusers.
McGovern, M. P., Xie, H., Segal, S. R., Siembab, L., & Drake, R. E. (2006). Addiction treatment
For thousands of years people have practiced mediation for spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. Albeit there are many mediation types, in this paper I will be discussing and focusing on mindfulness mediation. Before further exploring mindfulness mediation, it is crucial to define mediation as a whole. Tang, Holzel, & Posner, 2016 state “Meditation can be defined as a form of mental training that aims to improve an individual’s core psychological capacities, such as attentional and emotional capacities” (p.213). Having that in mind, we can dive into mindfulness mediation. Mindfulness meditation is defined as “nonjudgmental attention to present-moment experiences (Tang, Holzel, & Posner, 2016).” A useful analogy to consider is going to the gym, going to the gym allows one to enhance the body, well similarly, practicing mindfulness is akin to taking the mind to the psychic gym, it enhances it. Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on your breathing and then bringing your mind’s attention to the present all while dismissing discursive thoughts and maintaining a special focus on breathing.
When we view substance use disorders, alcohol is the most widely used drug within the United States and 11 percent of workers have drinking problems (Frone, 2006). Over 20 million people used illegal substances in 2006 and 7 million people abused prescribed medications. Of the 18 million drug abusers, 18 years or older in 2006, 13.4 million (74.9 %) were employed full or part time (SAMHSA, OSA). These addiction problems have an expenditure of $276 billion dollars per year with most of this cost from loss of productivity and health care (H. Harwood, D. Fountain, and G. Livermore, 1992).
05 May 2014. Barbor, Cary. " The Science of Meditation.
After decades of research, it has demonstrated that “Within the field of psychology, the focus of meditation research has been physiological change and the reduction of medical or psychological symptoms of stress or even both”. [1] Mediations help deal with solving problems and distracting thought...
As psychological field of study advances with its technologies to investigate changes in the mind, using such technology to look at effects of mindfulness meditation would strengthen its argument and understanding of the mechanisms in the brain, to change meditators into the new awaken state. This essay will reveal the evidence of mindfulness meditation making an impact on the mind. First, this essay will present the studies which found physiological functional differences in the body for those who did mindfulness meditation. Second, this essay will present the studies which found functional differences in the brain for those who perform mindfulness meditation. Third, this essay will present the studies which found structural differences in the brain for those who performed mindfulness meditation.
Meditation is an age-old practice that has renewed itself in many different cultures and times. Despite its age, however, there remains a mystery and some ambiguity as to what it is, or even how one performs it. The practice and tradition of meditation dates back thousands of years having appeared in many eastern traditions. Meditation’s ancient roots cloud its origins from being attributed to a sole inventor or religion, though Bon, Hindu, Shinto, Dao, and later, Buddhism are responsible for its development. Its practice has permeated almost all major world religions, but under different names. It has become a practice without borders, influencing millions with its tranquil and healing effects.
Deleanu, Florin. "Agnostic Meditations On Buddhist Meditation." Zygon: Journal Of Religion & Science 45.3 (2010): 605-626. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.
Nishimura, Nancy J., Ronnie Priest, and James M. Pruett. "The role of meditation in addiction recovery." Counseling and Values 52.1 (2007): 71+. Gale Power Search. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.
The Mantras are very spiritual things used by the ancient in Asia, now a days this form of meditation has expanded and everyone has access to it. A Mantra can improve your life style by teaching you the art of meditation, by bringing peace to your soul and by helping you control difficult situations.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). (2010). Health info. Meditation: An introduction. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/meditation/overview.htm
In the past two decades, many philosophers, spiritual leaders, and psychological transitions have accentuated the importance of the quality of consciousness for the maintenance and enhancement of well-being. One of the characteristics of consciousness that has been discussed in relation to well-being is mindfulness. In concentration with the psychology discipline, mindfulness meditation practices have been increasingly used to treat a majority of pain, stress and anxiety-related conditions and also, increasing well-being. The ideology of mindfulness meditation has core roots in Buddhist philosophy and other pensive traditions where awareness and conscious attention are actively cultured (Brown, Kirk Warren,2003).
Meditation is not a time devoted to thinking or reflecting about oneself, but a time to redirect one’s thoughts and emotions away from the outside world and onto something simple, such as the wind or one’s own breathe. By learning how to meditate, an individual can learn how to react appropriately to “the circumstances one finds oneself in, i...
What are your thoughts, views, musings and experiences etc. regarding meditation? As we all can learn from each other when it comes to sharing ways of creating a healthy, happy and vibrant life work balance.