ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the association between the practices of relatively passive, sitting meditation and absorption and anxiety using a cross-sectional design. It provides a foundation for more systematic longitudinal research with the variables in the future. The type of meditation practiced by the subjects was varied and ranged from transcendental meditation to Zen and traditional Buddhist practices such as focusing attention on breathing. The linear changes obtained across groups in conjunction with the correlational data seem to be more parsimoniously consistent with a training effect. This interpretation is further supported by the lack of any differences between control and beginners on two out of the three dependent measures. Correlational data across groups revealed a highly significant correlation between the Personal Experience Questionnaire intensity measure and Telle gen Absorption Scale score. Different forms of meditation might be compared so that the generality of the findings could be ascertained.
