A Phenomenological Inquiry into the Therapeutic Use of Meditation as an Aid for Individuals Facing Substance Misuse

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cityu.schoolDivision of Arts and Sciences
cityu.siteVancouver, BC
cityu.site.countryCanada
dc.contributor.authorWilliams, Brian
dc.date.accessioned2016-08-12T21:14:57Z
dc.date.available2016-08-12T21:14:57Z
dc.date.issued2009-06
dc.description.abstractIn this Masters thesis for City University of Seattle, the author presents a phenomenological inquiry into the therapeutic effects of Buddhist meditation for individuals who have struggled with substance misuse. The introduction explains the relevance, purpose, and utility of the project, and the recent cross-fertilization between western and Buddhist psychologies. A literature review presents and explains some of the research on Buddhist psychology, the neuroscience of substance misuse and meditation, the application of mindfulness in therapeutic contexts, and the specific application of meditation with individuals who misuse substances. A phenomenological methodology is proposed as a means to define categories of experience and clarify the psychological processes of individuals who have made use of meditation in overcoming substance misuse. The results consist of some of the narratives of the co-researchers, and their "lived experiences" of changing their relationships to substances through meditation. Clusters of meaning, common experiences, and themes are explained to make the phenomenon clearer for the reader. The discussion chapter explains eight themes that arose from the co-researchers' experiences, the implications of the study, further research questions that it generates, and reflections of the primary researcher.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11803/376
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.institutionCity University of Seattle (CityU)
dc.subjectmeditation and substance abuse treatment
dc.subjecttherapeutic effects of Buddhist meditation
dc.titleA Phenomenological Inquiry into the Therapeutic Use of Meditation as an Aid for Individuals Facing Substance Misuse
dc.typeThesis
thesis.degree.disciplineCounseling
thesis.degree.grantorCity University of Seattle (CityU)
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts
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