© Dyade Press 2016
ISBN 978-82-91405-32-2
First English edition 2016
This is a major revision of the original text and includes two new chapters: “Diversity of Meditation Techniques” and “Meditative Process”.
Table of Contents
Preface 7
Opening Remarks 9
A Meditator’s Story 15
Learning to Meditate 18
Initial Phase as Meditator 21
Some Hurdles 25
Summing Up 29
Diversity of Meditation Techniques 31
Use of Attention 34
Meditation Object 34
Mind Wandering 35
Context 36
More Diversity 37
Main Elements 39
Meditation Sound 42
Repetition 46
Free Mental Attitude 47
Overview of Results 53
Direct Effects 55
Indirect Effects 58
Anti-Drug Effects 61
Requirements for Change 62
Meditation and Health 65
Scientific Studies 68
Body-Mind Interaction 70
Stress 71
Stress Tolerance 73
Musculo-Skeletal Complaints 73
Cardiovascular Disease 75
Sleep 75
Mental Disorders 76
Prevention of Stress-Related Health Problems 78
Personality Development 79
Humans as Social Beings 83
Inducing Change 84
Meditation – No Social Activity 85
Personality Development in Meditation 87
Meditative Process 91
Volitional and Spontaneous Activity 94
Dissonance, Resistance and Change 95
Relaxation and Process 97
Actualization and Coping with Resistance 98
Paradoxical Effects 99
Incremental Change 100
Outcome of Process 101
Advancing Process 102
Background and Development 105
Heritage from Galileo and Descartes 109
Challenging the Myth of Rationality 112
New Utopias – New Consciousness 114
Looking for New Answers 116
Meditation Boom 117
Acem – Experience-Based 119
Inner Freedom 121
The Lutheran Church and Meditation 123
Between Heritage and Rebellion 126
Towards New Horizons 129
The Power of Silence 135
Appendix 139
About Acem 141
Learning Acem Meditation 142
Acem Meditation Retreats 145
Meditative Yoga 148
Training in Interpersonal Communication 149
Acem Publications 150
Index 154
Psychology of Silence
Perspectives on Acem Meditation
Are Holen
© Dyade Press 2016
ISBN 978-82-91405-32-2
First English edition 2016
This is a major revision of the original text and includes two new chapters: “Diversity of Meditation Techniques” and “Meditative Process”.
First Norwegian edition (Stillhetens psykologi) 1976, seventh edition 2010 First Swedish edition (Stillhetens psykologi) 1979; second edition 1989
First Danish edition (Stilhedens psykologi) 1979; second edition 2011
First Dutch edition (Psychologie van de stilte) 1992
First Chinese edition (traditional, 享受寧靜)) 1996, second edition 2009
First Chinese edition (simplified, 享受宁静) 1998
First Spanish edition (Psicología del silencio) 2012
Book design: Torbjørn Hobbel
Photos: Torbjørn Hobbel
Print: UnitedPress, Latvia
dyadepress.com
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NO – 0202 Oslo, Norway