Bodymind (in meditation traditions)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 This article is orphaned as few or no other articles link to it.
Please help introduce links in articles on related topics. (January 2008)


Bodymind is a compound conjunction of body and mind and may be used differently in different meditation traditions. These different understandings often inform each other.

Buddhist philosopher, Herbert V. Günther has stated:

What we call 'body' and 'mind' are mere abstractions from an identity experience that cannot be reduced to the one or the other abstraction, nor can it be hypostatized into some sort of thing without falsifying its very being.[1]

Contents

[edit] Vajrayana and Zen Buddhism

In Vajrayana, Mahayana, Theravada, Zen Buddhism the concept of bodymind, or namarupa, is key. In Vajrayana, namarupa is informed by the related doctrines of heartmind and Yogachara's mindstream. Within these traditions, Bodymind is held as a continuüm and field phenomenon. Arpaia and Rapgay discuss the connection of mindbody in the eighth chapter of their book, Tibetan Wisdom for Modern Life , entitled "Health: strengthening the mind-body connection".

[edit] Meditation and Stress

Drawing on research on the effects of meditation, Herbert Benson has pioneered bodymind research, focusing on stress and the "relaxation response." In his research, the mind and body are one system, in which meditation plays a significant role in reducing stress responses (Benson 1972).

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Mipham 1973, p. 15-16

[edit] References

  • Arpaia, Joseph & D. Lobsang Rapgay. 2004. Tibetan Wisdom for Modern Life. Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 81-208-1955-1
  • Benson MD, Herbert. 2000 (1975). The Relaxation Response. Harper. ISBN 0380815958
  • Mipham, Lama (Tarthang Tulku, trans.) 1973. Calm and Clear. Emeryville, CA: Dharma Publ. (NB: with forward by Herbert V. Günther)