Abstract

The study examined states of consciousness often produced during various meditative practices in order to identify psychological correlates associated with both positive and negative or unpleasant outcomes. Models of consciousness and altered states of consciousness were examined, with attributes specific to meditative states of consciousness identified. Particular attention was given to a phenomenological analysis of the state-specific alterations of consciousness and related biophysical sensations reported by practitioners of Buddhist meditation, Hindu kundalini yoga, and Chinese Taoist qi gong . Characteristics identified with spiritual emergence and states of emergency were investigated, with recommendations offered to maximize the positive effects of meditative practices while minimizing the possible dangers. Psychotherapeutic models and therapeutic strategies were presented which have been found helpful to those dealing with spiritual crises. The contributions of humanistic-existential and transpersonal psychology and psychotherapy were investigated, and a holistic model of personal functioning and psychotherapy was presented. Distinctions were identified between psychopathological states and those encountered by persons in the midst of psychospiritual transformation precipitated by meditative practice. Illustrative case histories from the clinical literature were presented and analyzed from the perspective of the holistic model. Guidelines for maximizing the therapeutic utility of meditation were presented for practitioners, teachers, and clinicians. A semi-structured interview format, the Transpersonal Assessment Guidelines was described with an accompanying Level of Comfort scale to measure subjective transpersonal comfort or distress