prisoners of our own consciousness: Strong effects of meditation as a tool for rehabilitation
Summary
inability to cope effectively with anxiety and negative emotions can lead to various physical and mental problema.Primarna purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Vipassana Meditation (VM) and X Meditation (TM) on mental health and rehabilitation of prisoners. the most common physiological and psychological effects of meditation are: lower heart rate, lowers blood pressure, decreased breathing, decreased metabolism, increased mental alertness, better cognitive and affective performance, improved well-being, reduces pain and stress, decreased anxiety, decreased depression, and modification of EEG patterns . Some of the previous findings emphasized the plasticity of the brain and the ability to adapt to stressful situations. In addition to achieving increased awareness and better coping skills through meditation, inmates are self-empowering tool for maintaining good mental health. Furthermore, the regular practice of meditation, the prisoners are better able to cope with their anger and frustration and violence rates, and can lower recidivism.
of positive psychology, a new trend in the field of psychology, was a pioneer Martin Seligman in 1998. The purpose was to challenge current forms of therapy focus on the negative aspects of the human condition, and reconsider the positive qualities of human nature that promote the greater well-being. Positive psychology argues that people have a wide range of psychological strengths and qualities that are essential to address the challenges faced in life. According to Seligman, before World War II, psychology had three objectives: to cure mental illness, making life more productive and fulfilled, and identify and nurture high talent (Seligman, 2005). The latter two of these goals are obviously forgotten what psychology has shifted to focus on treating mental illness and veterans traumatized citizens. Today, the field switches back to focus on prevention of mental illness and promote better quality of life.
The primary goal of positive psychology is to help patients, and in this case, the prisoners, develop their strengths in order to lead more fulfilling lives and better cope with stress and aggression. Specific approaches to addressing particular coping mechanism designed to help people to better cope and overcome the difficulties of life. Of these coping mechanisms, there has been increased interest in the application of Asian meditation techniques as a way of rehabilitating the prison population.
goal of meditation is to realize our true nature and be freed from the illusion that causes our suffering. From a psychological perspective of growth, it is important that individuals be able to free yourself from the imaginary boundaries that limit their perspectives and awareness. The achievement of true transient nature of emotions and sensations, learn to not feel tied to the physical and psychological pain, and pustiti.Redovite practice of meditation teaches one to pass mental and physical states, it helps not to react emotionally and experience more isolation. As a result, meditation causes a state of deep relaxation, inner harmony and heightened awareness. Various techniques can be used during meditation, but all of them involve concentration on a particular object or activity and the elimination of all forms of internal or external interference.
The first type of meditation presented in this paper is Vipassana Meditation (VM). Origin of mindfulness teachings back Siddharta Gautama (563 BC - 483 BC), Buda.Buddha emphasized the notion of attention to speech, thought and action in order to achieve relief from suffering and ignorance. Being aware means to be fully aware of the current trenutku.Učenje mindfulness or "insight" meditation focuses on a deep, penetrating nonconceptual see the nature of the mind and the world and the continuity of consciousness in all daily activities. Vipassana meditation is called the opening meditation, which is to participate in all internal and external stimuli are not judgmentally. This type of meditation requires the ability to focus and be open. Analyzing one's thoughts or insights, VM focuses on better understanding the systematic cultivation of research and insight. As well as cognitive behavioral therapy, involves the use of VM introspection and insight, where insight can be considered non-judgmentally, and better understood. Thus, the path to better physical and mental health includes a better understanding of one's reaction to all emocije.Glavni cause of human suffering resulting from the way we interpret the world around us. By understanding and changing our understanding, we can lead a more fulfilling life experience and increase prosperity.
Relaxation is a bi-product of this type of meditation, but it is not the goal of the process. Vipassana meditation is taught during the intensive 10-day exercise, where the silence during the retreat and meditate all day. The schedule is very strict and meditators have to start their daily article before sunrise, I do not eat after noon, to refrain from any abuse, the murder of sexual activity, from lying, singing, dancing and socializing. Furthermore, in order to turn his full attention inward,. Contact with other participants is to be avoided, as well as reading, watching television, listening to the radio, and engaging in strenuous exercise
Another type of meditation will be to study the X Meditation (TM). TM has its roots in Indian philosophy of Vedanta and practiced at least 20 minutes twice a day, while sitting with closed očiju.Tehnika consists silent mental repetition of the mantra, which is a word or phrase used as a focus for pozornost.Cilj this meditation is to achieve pure consciousness : Samadhi. This technique has become very popular in the early 1970s, and scientists soon began to study the therapeutic effects of meditation.
In the United States, although the heavy penalties, recidivism rates alarmingly high, and many offenders can not be rehabilitated into society. To improve the fault, some facilities are considered rehabilitation as an alternative to punishment and opened its doors to a promising but unconventional interventions such as meditation.
In early 1997, Vipassana meditation courses are held in North America, correctional institutions and researchers have shown that this technique has a beneficial effect on reducing recidivism rates and improve inmate behavior and coping skills. Because of its nature, the practice of Vipassana leads to a systematic process that increases self-awareness, self control and inner balance, and help prisoners make wiser decisions.
According to the North American Vipassana prison project (), to date, only three studies have been conducted on the effects of Vipassana Meditation (VM) rates of prisoners in North America.
In 2002, a survey conducted in North Rehabilitation facility (NRF) in Seattle, Washington, showed that inmates participating in the VM rates were 20% less likely to return to prison than the general population of inmates who did not complete of course. Furthermore, parks and Marlatt (2006) evaluated the effects of VM courses on substance use, recidivism, and psychological outcomes in the prison population. According to the authors, previously located in India suggested that the VM courses correlated with reduced levels of recidivism, depression, anxiety, hostility, and increased cooperation with prison authorities. The first Vipassana course in North America Correctional Facility have been conducted in North Rehabilitation facility (NRF), the minimum security adult prison in Seattle, Washington, with male and female prisoners. Five men and four women exchange rates were evaluated during a 15-month period. Study participants completed the primary measures 1 week prior to the start of the course, and after a course evaluation within 1 week until the end of the course. Follow-up assessments were administered 3 and 6 months after release from NRF.Ukupan number of participants who volunteered for the Vipassana course was 79.2% men and 20.8% of women aged 19-58 years. The results showed a significant association between participation in the VM during and after the closure of drug abuse, and improve psychosocial functioning. Thus, participants reported lower levels of psychiatric symptoms, more alcohol-related internal locus of control, and higher levels of optimism.
Unfortunately, very little research has been conducted on the effects of VM courses zatvorima.Preliminarni results are very encouraging, but not many facilities are open to trying alternative treatments for rehabilitation. Furthermore, unlike X Meditation (TM), VM courses are very demanding and require a strong commitment. Seating for 10 days in total silence and meditating 10 or more hours each day is very challenging. Also, one possible reason for the lack of research is probably the lack of funding. Vipassana courses, as taught by S.N. Goenka, completely free. Participants are encouraged to donations only if they completed the course and no donations are accepted by people who did not complete withdrawal. Also, unlike the TM teachers, Vipassana world of work as volunteers and not paid. So, the money that is donated helps to maintain or create new centers of withdrawal, but does not fund research.
Unlike VM, X Meditation (TM) has generated an extensive amount of research in many different areas. TM became famous in 1960 when The Beatles were introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the West. Since then, many paying courses are held throughout the world and the university was created. Thus, most research on TM has been conducted under the auspices of the Maharishi University.
Unlike VM, X Meditation (TM) has generated an extensive amount of research in many different areas. TM became famous in 1960 when The Beatles were introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the West. Since then, many paying courses are held throughout the world and the university was created. Thus, most research on TM has been conducted under the auspices of the Maharishi University.
Unlike VM, X Meditation (TM) has generated an extensive amount of research in many different areas. TM became famous in 1960 when The Beatles were introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the West. Since then, many paying courses are held throughout the world and the university was created. Thus, most research on TM has been conducted under the auspices of the Maharishi University.
In the second part of the Walpole study, Alexander and Orme-Johnson (2003) studied the longitudinal changes in self-development and psychopathology during the period of 15.7 months in the 271 maximum-security inmates. For this study, four groups were compared: the prisoners who participate in the TM program, counseling, drug rehabilitation, or Muslim or Christian skupine.Rezultati showed that only regular participants in the TM program has changed significantly, moving from Loevinger's conformist level, which characterized by exploitative orientation, it self-conscious level, which is characterized by a greater awareness of standards and goals. Furthermore, the TM participants showed a significant reduction in aggression, schizophrenic symptoms, a reduced line-anxiety, and increased incidence of post-conceptual experience of higher states of consciousness. Thus, the results of longitudinal follow-up confirmed the findings section, which shows that TM practice increases self-development.
In the third part of the Walpole study, Alexander, Rainforth, Frank Grant, Von Stade, and Walton (2003) conducted a retrospective investigation of recidivism among 286 inmates released from prison Walpole, so that for the next 59 months. The results show that only 32% of inmates who practiced TM technique was returned to prison for a stay of 30 days or more, compared with 48% of inmates who participated in other prison programs. Therefore, the practice of TM associated with a statistically significant reduction in recidivism of 33%. Again, these findings were consistent with the assumption that regular practice of TM would lead to a reduction in psychopathology, psychological development and the rapid decrease in criminal behavior.
In another study, Rainforth, Alexander, and Cavanaugh (2003) examined recidivism rate during the 15-year period between prisoners dressed in a way that TM was released from maximum security prison in California. From 1975 to 1982, a total of 153 inmates at Folsom Prison participated in the TM program. By 1982, all paroled.Istraživači TM matches each participant does not control the thinking subject from Folsom Prison records, controlling for variables such as suspended one year, race, offense, prior commitment record, age, history of drug abuse, ethnicity, marital status, education level, IQ, employment history, military service, age at first arrest and the first commitment, age at parole, months served, and rule violations prior to study entry. The results were statistically significant and shows that the TM group had a 46.7% recidivism rate over the study period compared with 66.7% for controls. Furthermore, the results also show that the TM program showed lasting effects of rehabilitation.
In another study, Rainforth, Alexander, and Cavanaugh (2003) examined recidivism rate during the 15-year period between prisoners dressed in a way that TM was released from maximum security prison in California. From 1975 to 1982, a total of 153 inmates at Folsom Prison participated in the TM program. By 1982, all paroled.Istraživači TM matches each participant does not control the thinking subject from Folsom Prison records, controlling for variables such as suspended one year, race, offense, prior commitment record, age, history of drug abuse, ethnicity, marital status, education level, IQ, employment history, military service, age at first arrest and the first commitment, age at parole, months served, and rule violations prior to study entry. The results were statistically significant and shows that the TM group had a 46.7% recidivism rate over the study period compared with 66.7% for controls. Furthermore, the results also show that the TM program showed lasting effects of rehabilitation.
Based on their review of the literature on TM, Hawkins (2003) also notes that he was detained offenders show rapid positive changes in risk factors associated with criminal behavior. So, in addition to regular TM practice, factors such as anxiety, aggression, hostility, moral judgment rule, prison abuses, and abuse are greatly enhanced. Furthermore, it is noted that the TM program significantly reduces the substance used as the fundamental factors that drive the addictive substance, such as anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and other forms of psychological distress. As a holistic approach, TM addresses the psychological and physical issues. Thus, mental health, as well as autonomic and neuroendocrine function equilibrium can be achieved. As a result, the practice of TM not only improves the current state prisoners, but also provides long-term outcomes such as lower recidivism rates for parole practitioners, and lower rates of relapse for addicts.
On review of the above research on the effects of X and Vipassana meditation meditation on prisoners, it appears that similar results can be obtained with the practices or form of meditation.
Unlike the TM program, which relies on the repetition of certain mantras, VM application shares some similarities with cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapy involves recognizing unhelpful patterns of thinking and modifying or replacing these patterns with more realistic or helpful ones. However, with Vipassana meditation, the emphasis is on thinking and recognition of their passing, and learning to let go without identifying with them.
may, Vipassana program has generated less research in the field of forensic psychology, because it is strenuous conditions required to complete the course. So unless you are extremely motivated, prisoners could show greater difficulties involved in such a program than it would with the TM program, which requires only two short 20-minute sessions a day.
Finally, based on current research in several maximum-security prison, including Folsom and San Quentin in California, et al, in Massachusetts, Magill (2003) states that up to 56% less prisoners convicted of new crimes after the end of TM . These results emphasize how useful the introduction of meditation programs in correctional facilities. So, not only meditation improves the physical and psychological behavior of inmates and reducing recidivism, it is also cost-effective way to deal with rehabilitation.
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