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The idea of hating anyone becomes a kind of totally bizarre idea: practitioner accounts of Loving Kindness Meditation

Sheffield, K. (2014) The idea of hating anyone becomes a kind of totally bizarre idea: practitioner accounts of Loving Kindness Meditation. Symposium presented to: Psychology Postgraduate Affairs Group (PsyPag) Annual Conference, Cardiff Metropolitan University, 23-25 July 2014. (Unpublished)

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Symposium)
Abstract: This talk will present findings from a qualitative piece of research which forms the first part of a wider PhD project. The overarching aim of the project is to understand the effects of Loving Kindness Meditation (LKM), which is a form of meditative practice with a focus on developing feelings of kindness towards the self and others including strangers and ‘enemies’. The aim of the presented research is to explore how LKM is understood and defined by experienced practitioners and the perceived effects of the practice. The rationale for the research is based on the lack of research conducted on LKM, and that which has been done not being consistent in the definition that has been given in addition to the variation in reported outcomes. Due to the specific focus of LKM on developing feelings of kindness to others, the practice could impact on practitioners’ relationships; this has not been widely explored within past research. The talk will present and contextualise the research in relation to the other stages of research and will present findings from an IPA analysis of five interviews with experienced LKM practitioners. Themes include the perceived effects on relationships with the self and other people, and the perceived daily and longer term importance of the practice.
Uncontrolled Keywords: meditation, Loving Kindness, IPA, Metta
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF636 Applied psychology > BF637 Meditation. Mindfulness
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BQ Buddhism > BQ5595 Devotion. Meditation. Prayer > BQ5612 Meditation
Creators: Sheffield, Kimberley
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Centre for the Study of Anomalous Psychological Processes
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > School of Social Sciences (to 2016)
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Research Centres > Centre for Psychology and Social Sciences
Date: 23 July 2014
Date Type: Presentation
Event Title: Psychology Postgraduate Affairs Group (PsyPag) Annual Conference
Event Dates: 23-25 July 2014
Event Location: Cardiff Metropolitan University
Event Type: Conference
Language: English
Status: Unpublished
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/7809

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