Abstract:

A group process was devised in order to ascertain the complementary effects of the Western psychotherapeutic modality of "focusing" and Eastern-based meditation practice. The group process consisted of a 40-minute period of insight (vipassana) meditation (deriving from the Buddhist tradition), followed by a one-hour period of using focusing with individuals. A questionnaire was devised and distributed to the group, followed by indepth interviews which formed the major aspect of the phenomenological study. Based upon reported experiences, some of the separate effects of meditation and focusing were noted and categorized. Their complementary effects, based upon interviews, appeared promising in terms of their anticipated effects of increasing self-insight and increased intimacy and improved communication in relationships. Additional effects included an enhanced clarity of the felt sense, creation of optimal distance from life issues (through broadening the context of experience and diminishing self-dramatization), resolving barriers to meditative awareness, a beneficial grounding effect, and the facilitation of congruence. Possible dynamics through which these effects were produced were discussed, along with contraindications. In addition, the possibility of using aspects of the focusing process within one's actual meditation practice was discussed, as well as some effects of group sharing. Finally, other variables which may have affected the reported results were listed, along with implications for future research.