PASSAGE MEDITATION

Passage meditation is a modern meditation technique developed by spiritual teacher Eknath Easwaran. Rooted in classic methods found in most spiritual traditions including a long-standing tradition of Hinduism dating back to Vedic times [1] it involves silent, focused repetition of memorized selections (passages) from scriptures of the world and writings of great mystics. According to Easwaran, the principle of meditating on inspired passages is that the words sink deep into our minds, eventually transforming “character, conduct, and consciousness.”
Passage meditation does not require adherence to any particular religion or belief. For example, a minister in the Roman Catholic diocese of Oakland and a registered yoga teacher, describes [2] how passage meditation has served her as a tool for personal transformation. As another example, a group of recovering alcoholics has produced a brochure [3] explaining how passage meditation is a practical method that can be used as part of a 12-step program.
Generally, meditation methods may reduce stress, and research published in 2006 in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology provided evidence that suggests that passage meditation reduces stress and may enhance mental health.^[1]
Practiced for one-half hour daily on first arising, passage meditation is the foundational discipline of Easwaran’s Eight Point Program for drawing spiritual ideals into every aspect of daily life:
''1. passage meditation
''2. repetition of a mantram or prayer word''
''3. slowing down''
''4. one-pointed attention''
''5. training the senses''
''6. putting others first''
''7. spiritual companionship''
''8. spiritual reading''

Contents

Scientific Research on Passage Meditation

References

Further reading

Scientific Research on Passage Meditation

In addition to the study of health professionals cited above, other published scientific research on passage meditation includes:

★ A research study published in Nursing Science Quarterly used intensive interviews with nurses newly trained in passage meditation and the Eight Point Program. The study revealed that the nurses found many of the practices directly useful in improving their workplace interactions and aiding fulfillment of their compassionate caregiving missions.^[2]

★ A research study published in Pastoral Psychology compared changes related to spirituality in 44 college undergraduates who were randomly assigned to learning either (1) passage meditation and the Eight Point Program, (2) the widely disseminated program of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), or (3) a control condition in which participants did not receive any training. In the two months after the training ended, it was found that in comparison to controls, both Eight Point Program and MBSR participants showed improvements in ability to use spirituality to cope, and viewed the nature of Higher Powers (i.e., God) more favorably. Consistent with its focus on passages from eminent spiritual figures, only the passage meditation participants showed statistically significant increases in abilities to learn from spiritual exemplars.^[3]
Research on passage meditation through early 2007 was reviewed in chapter 6 of ''Spirit, science and health: How the spiritual mind fuels physical wellness''.^[4]

References

1. Doug Oman, John Hedberg, and Carl E. Thoresen (2006). "Passage meditation reduces perceived stress in health professionals: A randomized, controlled trial", Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. [Washington, DC]: American Psychological Association. v74 n4 pp714-719 Aug 2006 (the article's supplemental materials are available here)
2. T. Ann Richards, Doug Oman, John Hedberg, Carl E. Thoresen, and Jeanne Bowden (2006). "A Qualitative Examination of a Spiritually-Based Intervention and Self-Management in the Workplace", Nursing Science Quarterly, v19 n3 pp231-239.
3. Doug Oman, Shauna L. Shapiro, Carl E. Thoresen, Tim Flinders, Joseph Driskill, and Thomas G. Plante (2006). "Learning from spiritual models and meditation: A randomized evaluation of a college course", v55 n4 pp473-493 Mar 2007.
4. Tim Flinders, Doug Oman, and Carol Flinders (2007). The eight-point program of passage meditation: Health effects of a comprehensive program. In Thomas G. Plante, & Carl E. Thoresen (Eds.), ''Spirit, science and health: How the spiritual mind fuels physical wellness'' (pp. 72-93) (table of contents), Westport, CT: Praeger. ISBN 978-0-275-99506-5

Further reading

★ Eknath Easwaran (1978). ''Meditation.'' ISBN 0-915132-66-4

★ Hammond, Holly (1996). "Finding balance in a hurried world." Yoga Journal] 123:87-92,139-140 (Jan/Feb 1996).

★ Nagler, Michael (2004). "Passage to meditation". Yoga Journal 200 (March/April 2004).