Empirical Studies of Contemplative Practices

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.