The Buddha Pill: Can Meditation Change You? (Revised and Updated Edition)

by Catherine Wikholm (Author), Dr Miguel Farias (Author), Catherine Wikholm (Author), Miguel Farias (Author)

New
Paperback
2019
$11.95

Millions of people meditate daily but can these practices really make us `better' people? In The Buddha Pill, Farias and Wikholm put meditation and mindfulness under the microscope. Separating fact from fiction, they reveal what scientific research - including their own groundbreaking study on yoga and meditation in prisoners - tells us about the benefits and limitations of these techniques for improving lives. As well as illuminating the potential, the authors argue that these practices may have unexpected consequences and that peace and happiness may not always be the end result. Offering a compelling examination of research on Transcendental Meditation to recent studies on the effects of mindfulness and yoga, with fascinating contributions from spiritual teachers and therapists, Farias and Wikholm weave together a unique story about the science and the delusions of personal change. This isn't simply another book about the route to enlightenment and happiness, nor is it a 'how to'. Farias and Wikholm challenge assumptions about the uses and effects of meditation and yoga. Controversially, The Buddha Pill argues that personal change effected by these spiritual practices can vary widely from one individual to another, and that peace and compassion may not always be the end result. Combining insights from decades of scientific research with fascinating accounts from gurus and prisoners, The Buddha Pill weaves together a unique story about the science and delusions of personal change. Offering a compelling examination of research on transcendental meditation to recent brain-imaging studies on the effects of mindfulness and yoga, and with fascinating contributions from spiritual teachers and therapists, Farias and Wikholm weave together a unique story about the science and the delusions of personal change.

Synopsis

Millions of people meditate daily but can these practices really make us `better' people? In The Buddha Pill, Farias and Wikholm put meditation and mindfulness under the microscope. Separating fact from fiction, they reveal what scientific research - including their own groundbreaking study on yoga and meditation in prisoners - tells us about the benefits and limitations of these techniques for improving lives. As well as illuminating the potential, the authors argue that these practices may have unexpected consequences and that peace and happiness may not always be the end result. Offering a compelling examination of research on Transcendental Meditation to recent studies on the effects of mindfulness and yoga, with fascinating contributions from spiritual teachers and therapists, Farias and Wikholm weave together a unique story about the science and the delusions of personal change. This isn't simply another book about the route to enlightenment and happiness, nor is it a 'how to'. Farias and Wikholm challenge assumptions about the uses and effects of meditation and yoga. Controversially, The Buddha Pill argues that personal change effected by these spiritual practices can vary widely from one individual to another, and that peace and compassion may not always be the end result. Combining insights from decades of scientific research with fascinating accounts from gurus and prisoners, The Buddha Pill weaves together a unique story about the science and delusions of personal change. Offering a compelling examination of research on transcendental meditation to recent brain-imaging studies on the effects of mindfulness and yoga, and with fascinating contributions from spiritual teachers and therapists, Farias and Wikholm weave together a unique story about the science and the delusions of personal change.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Edition: New edition
Publisher: Watkins Publishing
Published: 19 Feb 2019
ISBN 10: 1786782219
ISBN 13: 9781786782212

Author Bio

Dr Miguel Farias has pioneered brain research on the pain alleviating effects of spirituality and the psychological benefits of yoga and meditation. He was educated in Macao, Lisbon and Oxford. Following his doctorate, he was a researcher at the Oxford Centre for the Science of Mind and a lecturer at the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford. He currently leads the Brain, Belief and Behaviour group at the Centre for Research in Psychology, Behaviour and Achievement, Coventry University. Catherine Wikholm read Philosophy and Theology at Oxford University before going on to do a Masters in Forensic Psychology. Her strong interest in personal change and prisoner rehabilitation led her to be employed by HM Prison Service, where she worked with young offenders. She has since been working in NHS mental health services and is currently completing a practitioner doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Surrey. Miguel and Catherine worked together on a ground-breaking research study investigating the psychological effects of yoga and meditation in prisoners.