Empirical studies of contemplative practices

Intro Contents Introduction Acknowledgments Chapter 1 Contemplative Science: Are We Measuring the Immeasurable? Abstract Introduction The Emergence of Contemplative Science The Murky Definition of Mindfulness Context and Culture Implications for Measurement Measuring the Immeasurable References Chapter 2 Reconceptualizing the Measurement of Mindfulness Abstract Introduction Contemporary Measurement of Mindfulness Limited Scope of Measurement Methodology Utilizing Secondary Constructs to Measure the Construct of Interest Overreliance on Self-Report Questionnaires Alternative Measurement Approaches and MethodologiesMeasuring Mindfulness Outside of the Laboratory Ecological Momentary Assessment Collecting High-Quality Data Outside of the Laboratory Using Mindfulness Practice as a Measure of Mindfulness Breath Counting Behavioral Topography of Mindfulness Practice Utilizing Mindfulness Practice Logs Using a Multi-Informant Questionnaire Approach Administering Mindfulness Questionnaires to a Third Party Administering Mindfulness Questionnaires to an "Expert" in Mindfulness Conclusion Acknowledgments References Chapter 3 Research Design and Statistical Modeling in Contemplative Meditation StudiesAbstract Introduction Operational Definition and Dimensionality of Latent Construct of Mindfulness Dimensionality of the Latent Construct of Mindfulness before 2012 Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS Cordon & Finney, 2008) Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS Baer, Smith, & Allen, 2004) Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI Buchheld, Grossman, & Walach, 2001) Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R Feldman, Hayes, Kumar, Greeson, & Laurenceau, 2007) Southampton Mindfulness Questionnaire (SMQ Chadwick, et al., 2008) Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ Baer, Smith, Hopkins, Krietemeyer, & Toney, 2006) Toronto Mindfulness Scale (TMS Lau et al., 2006) Experiences Questionnaire (EQ Fresco et al., 2007) Mindfulness/Mindlessness Scale (MMS Haigh, Moore, Kashdan, & Fresco, 2011) Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale (PHLMS Cardaciotto, Herbert, Forman, Moitra, & Farrow, 2008) A Synthesis of Most Recent Literature: Research Design and Statistical Modeling Literature Selection Descriptive Results Study Design Trends in Mindfulness and Contemplative ResearchStatistical Modeling Trends in Mindfulness and Contemplative Research Summary Explicit-Macro and Implicit-Micro Explorations in Contemplative Research Explicit-Macro Research: The Whole-Student Perspective Explicit-Macro Research: The Whole-Life Development Perspective Necessity of the Implicit-Micro Model Introspective Modeling on EEG Data Rhythm Decomposition of EEG in Physiological/Contemplative Conditions Examining EEG Rhythm Differences through Statistical Modeling This book is a first attempt to associate the interpretation of contemplative approaches to scientific studies. Drawing on expertise from a range of disciplines, including psychology, applied statistics, health sciences, neuroscience, communication, computer science, and information technology, we examine the critical processes of contemplative approaches and aim to guide the scientific research of contemplative practices. The book includes pedagogical and experimental aspects of studies such as research design, measurement, program assessment, statistical modeling, data mining, technology integration, and evaluation. It aims to serve as a forum to inspire empirical studies of contemplative practices that address the complexity and variety of such practice in a thoughtful way. It includes compiled interpretation of bodily manifestations of contemplative practices, psychological analysis of contemplative practices, and systematic studies of the effect of contemplative practices through data analysis. Together, the chapters of this book offer first steps along a path to deeper understanding of contemplative practices. Empirical Studies of Contemplative Practices can serve as a reference book to scholars, researchers, and graduate students across fields of natural and social science. Specifically, this book may be of interest in scholarly arenas such as life sciences, psychology, communication, healthcare, education, and data science. We also hope to draw attention from meditation practitioners as well as those who are interested in religious and philosophical studies. We hope that the systematic study of contemplative approaches can make an impact on the larger population in their daily lives.