ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the research literature dealing with the psychotherapeutic effects of meditation. It also reviews the research literature dealing with the psychotherapeutic effects of meditation. The chapter also reviews studies in which meditation is viewed as a technique for inducing altered states of consciousness. There is a great deal of literature investigating the relationship among meditation, psychotherapy, and states of consciousness. Some articles deal with ways in which the practice of meditation could aid the patient. From a clinical standpoint it is important to document if and how the physiological changes and subjective experiences during meditation generalize to other settings and times in the patient's life. J. M. Davidson has suggested the term "mystical states" for those experiences that occur during meditation and involve an alteration in consciousness. When meditation is conceptualized as a self-regulation strategy for anxiety reduction, stress and tension management, reduction of fears and phobias, certain research methodologies are necessary.
