private practice in Trenton, New Jersey.
J Relig Health. 1979 Apr;18(2):93-119. doi: 10.1007/BF01535368.
Only lately having recovered their bodies and feelings, Western devotees of various meditative practices are in increasing numbers striving to transcend both. Is such a turning inward healthy for individuals and our society? A full response requires both a clarifying discussion of exactly what meditation is and a review of its effects. Meditation, essentially a way of life, is marked by four stages: preparation, attention, active reception, and higher consciousness. Even though the Western traditions aim finally at union with the Infinite and Eastern traditions seek primarily an internal unity through the negation of consciousness, both describe essentially the same four stages, reached through the meditative pathways of the intellect, emotions, body, and action. Present scientific research is only beginning to provide data on the effects of meditation upon the person. To date, most research findings point out psychophysiological changes during meditation, indicating a low-stress state. Meditative experience lends support to the conclusion that successful meditation also positively affects growth by touching man's inner life source, expanding his consciousness, and revealing personal life directions.
直到最近，各种冥想修行的西方信徒才逐渐开始恢复身体和感觉，并努力超越身体和感觉。这种向内的转变对个人和我们的社会健康有益吗？全面的回应需要明确讨论冥想的具体含义，以及对其效果的回顾。冥想，从本质上讲，是一种生活方式，分为四个阶段：准备、注意力、积极接受和更高的意识。尽管西方传统最终旨在与无限融合，而东方传统则主要通过否定意识来寻求内在的统一，但两者都描述了通过智力、情感、身体和行动的冥想途径达到的相同的四个阶段。目前的科学研究才刚刚开始提供关于冥想对人的影响的数据。迄今为止，大多数研究结果都指出了冥想期间的心理生理变化，表明处于低压力状态。冥想体验为这样的结论提供了支持，即成功的冥想也会通过触及人类内在生命源泉、扩展意识和揭示个人生活方向，对成长产生积极影响。
