Psychodynamics of meditation: Pitfalls on the spiritual path
Abstract
Discusses the goals and associated psychological risks of the paths of the Buddhist school of thought known as "Madhyamika" (the Central Way) and asserts that meditation is neither therapeutic nor nontherapeutic. Aspects of the psyche most affected at each stage of the meditation process are explored psychodynamically to illustrate the common vulnerabilities and misunderstandings as well as the psychological consequences of such misunderstandings. Focus is on the dual orientation of narcissism, inner space, the oceanic feeling and the path of concentration, surrender and the path of mindfulness, and emptiness or relativity and the path of insight. (PsycLIT Database Copyright 1991 American Psychological Assn, all rights reserved)
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