| Research studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of meditation in promoting personal growth, mental and emotional well-being. Consequently, meditation techniques are being used as an adjunct to psychotherapy, yet, the concept of embracing meditation as an alternative intervention option has not been considered by humanistic psychology. The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility that the kinds of processes that occur in psychotherapy also occur in a Buddhist meditational retreat.;This study examined whether the experience of participants during a 16-day Nyungne practice (a deity-visualization meditation) exhibited signs of a self-actualization process as measured by Rogers' Process scale. A multiple case study design was used to explore six Buddhist volunteer participants' meditative experiences. Data gathering involved interviews, taken before and after a retreat, photo elicitation of the deity-visualization process, journals, and direct observation. Data were analyzed using a hermeneutic qualitative procedure, consisting of three phases: (a) gaining familiarity with each case and systematically attending to transcribed passages to look for passages which appeared to correspond with the Rogers' Process scale; (b) selecting materials relevant to the central theoretical themes; and (c) interpreting new observations based on the themes and patterns found that were pertinent to the intrapersonal relationship examined in each case study. In addition, in selected instances, a comparative analysis was done, identifying similarities and differences between the cases.;It was found that participants in the Buddhist retreat exhibited three characteristics relevant to psychotherapy. First, they showed signs of engaging in a self-exploration process. Second, their self-self relationship became more empathic and compassionate, in a manner analogous to the therapist-client relationship. Third, they exhibited signs of higher levels of personal functioning as measured by Rogers' Process scale. However changes on the Process scale were not linear. Early signs of high process were exhibited that are non-compatible with Rogers' scale. Implications of the study are that key processes that occur in psychotherapy also occur in a Buddhist meditational retreat, raising the possibility that a Buddhist meditational retreat could function as a possible alternative to psychotherapy in at least some cases. |
