ABSTRACT
The chapter outlines the main pillars of the ‘new science of meditation’ in terms of the metacognitive self-regulatory capacity (MSRC) of the mind and modes of existential awareness (MEA). The new account also postulates the existential instinct (in terms of meaning and purpose in life) as a fundamental driving force of the human mind which is adaptively expressed through continuous maintaining of advanced MEA. Consequences of this proposal for our understanding and treatment of addictions, depression, anxiety and psychotic disorders are briefly discussed.
