Towards a Contemplative Research Framework for Training Self-Observation in HCI: A Study of Compassion Cultivation

With the emergence in human–computer interaction (HCI) of researching contemplative practices, authentic descriptions of first-person lived experience informing design are few. Most researchers in HCI are not trained in observing the mind. We draw on learnings from neurophenomenology, inspired by well-established Buddhist techniques for mind-training. We present a self-observation of Tonglen , a Buddhist meditation technique for compassion, conducted over 12 weeks. We found that to keenly observe and document the practice, it is important to go through preparatory stages of stabilising attention and observing the mind. For the practitioner-cum-researcher, the technique should be embedded into a framework training self-observation and developing meta-awareness, supported by documentation of somatic snapshots and reflective journal writing. The first-person method of self-enquiry and account of self-evidence offer insight and directions for refining first-person approaches for future HCI research in body and mind cultivation, and design implications for interactive technologies supporting any practice with a contemplative component.

The Path to Contentless Experience in Meditation: An Evidence Synthesis Based on Expert Texts

In contentless experience (sometimes termed pure consciousness) there is an absence of mental content such as thoughts, perceptions, and mental images. The path to contentless experience in meditation can be taken to comprise the meditation technique, and the experiences (“interim-states”) on the way to the contentless “goal-state/s”. Shamatha, Transcendental, and Stillness Meditation are each said to access contentless experience, but the path to that experience in each practice is not yet well understood from a scientific perspective. We have employed evidence synthesis to select and review 135 expert texts from those traditions. In this paper we describe the techniques and interim-states based on the expert texts and compare them across the practices on key dimensions. Superficially, Shamatha and Transcendental Meditation appear very different to Stillness Meditation in that they require bringing awareness to a meditation object. The more detailed and systematic approach taken in this paper indicates that posturally Shamatha is closer to Stillness Meditation, and that on several other dimensions Shamatha is quite different to both other practices. In particular, Shamatha involves greater measures to cultivate attentional stability and vividness on an object, greater focusing, less tolerance of mind-wandering, more monitoring, and more deliberate doing/control. Achieving contentless experience in Shamatha is much slower, more difficult, and less frequent. The findings have important implications for consciousness, neuroscientific, and clinical research and practice.

EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HEARTFULNESS MEDITATION TECHNIQUE ON REDUCTION OF STRESS AMONG NURSING COLLEGE STUDENTS, BHOPAL (M.P.)

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Heartfulness meditation technique on reduction of stress among Nursing college students, Bhopal. The study was conducted by adopting a one group pre and post test design. 60 nursing students who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected by using Non-probability convenient sampling technique. The study was conducted in L.N. Nursing college, Bhopal, M.P. With the ethical consideration, pre assessment of stress level has been done among nursing college students. Heartfulness meditation has been practiced for 14 consecutive days and post test was conducted after 14 days. The analysis of the study depicts that heartfullness meditation is more effective in reduction of stress among nursing college students at p< 0.05 level.

Immediate effect of a meditation technique on blood glucose, state anxiety and relaxation in patients with type 2 diabetes: a pilot randomized crossover study

Objectives Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a major burden on global health and economy. Various Yogic techniques are found to be beneficial in the management of T2DM. Mind Sound Resonance Technique (MSRT) is one of the yoga-based meditation techniques observed to be effective in clinical settings. Methods Thirty-two patients with T2DM were randomized to either MSRT or supine rest (SR) sessions on two separate days separated by a washout period of one day. Fasting blood glucose levels were measured before and immediately after the sessions. State anxiety and subjective feeling of relaxation were assessed using Spielberg’s state anxiety inventory (STAI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) respectively. Results There were significant differences between MSRT and SR groups in fasting blood glucose (p=0.019), STAI scores (p<0.001) and subjective relaxation (p<0.001). Within group analyses revealed significant reductions (p<0.001) in fasting blood glucose and STAI scores, along with an increase in subjective relaxation following the practice of MSRT, whereas, non-significant changes were found following the SR session. Conclusions A single session of MSRT was found to reduce blood glucose levels and state anxiety along with enhanced relaxation when compared to SR.

SPORT INJURIES AND ITS MANAGEMENT THROUGH AYURVEDA

A sport injury is a type of injury which can be defined as any kind of injury, pain or physical damage that occurs during sports, exercise, or any physical activity. Sports medicine helps people in improving their performance in sports, fast recovery from injury and prevent future injuries. Ayurveda being the oldest science to serve mankind can prove to be the best science in management of the sport injuries. Various methods mentioned in Ayurveda classics like Vyayama (physical exercise), Abhyanga (an-ointment), Rasayana (rejuvenation) Therapy, Marma (vi- tal points) Therapy, yogic practices, Pranayamas (meditation technique) etc. proves to be a boon for a sports person for his performance as well as to overcome the physical and mental trauma suffered during the sport. Keywords: sport injury, sport medicine, Vyayama, Marma INTRODUCTION A sport injury is a type of injury which can be defined as any kind of injury, pain or physical damage that oc- curs during sports, exercise, or any physical activity. It is most commonly the musculoskeletal injuries which include muscle, bones, cartilage and associated tissue. Sports injuries can be caused by an accident, impact,

The effect of spiritual care on quality of life of patients with amputation caused by diabetes type 2: a clinical trial

Objectives This study aimed to investigate effect of a spiritual care on quality of life of patients with amputation caused by diabetes type 2. Methods The current study was a clinical trial. Fifty four patients with amputation caused by diabetes type 2 referred to Al-Zahra hospital at Isfahan was allocated to two case and control groups. Spiritual care training including transcendental meditation (T.M) technique was established for case group. Participants in case group performed four weeks of meditation technique following participating in sessions of meditation technique training. Data gathering was done using a standard tool to assess quality of life in patients with diabetes (diabetes quality of life: DQOL). Data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results Mean score of quality of life in the four areas of quality of life was not significantly different among case and control groups at baseline, however, mean score of quality of life in case group (2.25 ± 0.56) was significantly better than control group (2.52 ± 0.38) after intervention (p<0.001). Conclusions Given findings of the study, it seems that spiritual care can improve quality of life of patients with amputation caused by diabetes type 2.