Are there any anthropological/sociological studies on meditation from a phenomenological point of view?

[Barbu]

Hello , My name is Alex and I'm an undergraduate in anthropology. I want to do my final research for my anthropology diploma on the practice of meditation as a reflexive body technique . I want to know if you can recommend me some qualitative anthropological/sociological studies done on this subject using a symbolic interactionism/phenomenological point of view because my research method will consist in doing interviews with individuals who practice meditation or mindfulness and maybe some participant observation. I want to find out how they got into meditation, why they practice it ,their mind-body (dualistic or not?) relation, how they integrated this practice in their life and it what ways did meditation shaped their inner and social life and their perception on the self and body. Any recommendations on narrowing my research, finding other relevant research questions or different theoretical frameworks  are very welcomed!! Thank you.

[smg]

Hello , My name is Alex and I'm an undergraduate in anthropology. I want to do my final research for my anthropology diploma on the practice of meditation as a reflexive body technique . I want to know if you can recommend me some qualitative anthropological/sociological studies done on this subject using a symbolic interactionism/phenomenological point of view because my research method will consist in doing interviews with individuals who practice meditation or mindfulness and maybe some participant observation. I want to find out how they got into meditation, why they practice it ,their mind-body (dualistic or not?) relation, how they integrated this practice in their life and it what ways did meditation shaped their inner and social life and their perception on the self and body. Any recommendations on narrowing my research, finding other relevant research questions or different theoretical frameworks  are very welcomed!! Thank you.

 

I would narrow down and define what you mean by meditation or be prepared to engage with the variety of techniques that are out there in the world.  Meditation exists in Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and probably most other religious traditions.  Within Buddhism, which I know more about than the other religions, there is a plethora of techniques and worldviews.  Mahasi noting is different than Shikantaza which is different than Dzogchen.  Even with a specific tradition like Japanese Soto Zen different lineages approach practice differently.  I would focus in on a specific practice or lineage rather than meditation broadly.  However, meditation broadly considered is implicitly if not explicitly phenomenological.  Within the Buddhist tradition there is a lot of material on Zen, Vipassana and the various Tibetan traditions; one of the three might be a good place to start.  The writings of Francisco Varela might also be useful since he was influenced by Husserl, Merleau-Ponty, neuroscience and Tibetan Buddhism.  I sit zazen so if your looking for someone to interview just PM me. 

[Barbu]

I would narrow down and define what you mean by meditation or be prepared to engage with the variety of techniques that are out there in the world.  Meditation exists in Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and probably most other religious traditions.  Within Buddhism, which I know more about than the other religions, there is a plethora of techniques and worldviews.  Mahasi noting is different than Shikantaza which is different than Dzogchen.  Even with a specific tradition like Japanese Soto Zen different lineages approach practice differently.  I would focus in on a specific practice or lineage rather than meditation broadly.  However, meditation broadly considered is implicitly if not explicitly phenomenological.  Within the Buddhist tradition there is a lot of material on Zen, Vipassana and the various Tibetan traditions; one of the three might be a good place to start.  The writings of Francisco Varela might also be useful since he was influenced by Husserl, Merleau-Ponty, neuroscience and Tibetan Buddhism.  I sit zazen so if your looking for someone to interview just PM me. 

Thank you for the suggestions!