Meditation Information Center

 

Meditator�s Reports

 

The reports here are derived from The Use of Meditation as a Strategy for Stress Management and the Promotion of Wellness in Teachers: an Educational Psychological Study, by Gideon Johannes Christiaan Kirsten, B.A., H.O.D. B.A. Hons., M.Ed. (Psyc.) This thesis was submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Philosophae Doctor in the Post Graduate School of Education (Faculty of Educational Sciences) of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education in South Africa.

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

The teaching profession is generally regarded as one of the most stressful occupations across the world. Teachers are, however, persons and as such, function not only as teachers, but also as citizens, parents, spouses, home owners and so on, which make them experience multiple stressors in their personal lives. In addition to changes in the basic occupational structure of teaching and the sphere of education, such as Outcomes-Based Education and Inclusive education, teachers are also subjected to various social-political changes, stressors such as extreme levels of crime and affirmative action. These changes and stressors are often experienced as stress which, due to a spill-over effect, often affects the other domains of life of teachers as persons. Understandably, teachers� personal circumstances also impact on these dynamics.

 

In order to understand human experience, behavior, problems and phenomena, such as stress, a meta-approach to analyze and combine all the contexts of human existence�biological, intra-psychic, ecological and metaphysical�is necessary to obtain an eco-systemic and holistic view and understanding. These contexts of existence can both function as potential sources of stressors, or can reflect the potential effects of stress�the detail will depend on an individual�s personal situation.�

 

Due to the experience of elevated levels of stress by a large number of teachers and the resulting negative effect stress has upon one�s wellness�and vice versa�there exists a genuine need for strategies for stress management and the promotion of wellness. Clinically Standardized Meditation (CSM) is one such strategy available to teachers. Findings from this study suggest that the Clinically Standardized Meditation technique is an effective strategy for stress management and the promotion of wellness in teachers.

 

This study involved the learning and practice of CSM by South African teachers. For the purposes of this research, themes were divided into main and subcategories in order to distinguish between them. However, the themes in this study should not be seen in isolation, but rather, as part of the greater �Gestalt� � because of its eco-systemic and holistic focus.

 

Explore the areas below to see highlights of this study.

 

 

Effect of Decreased Tension Improved management of physical effects of stress Improved sleep quality Increased energy Improved pain management Decreased use of medication Decreased fidgeting Improved weight management Increased activity (exercise) Effects in the Biological Context	Effect of Improved Coping Behavior Improved emotional-founded coping Improved problem-focused coping Improved resilience Improved crisis management Effects on Stress Management and the Intra-Psychic Context
Effect of Personal Mastery Increased personal control Increased focus and attention Decreased negative emotions Increased organization Effects in the Intra-Psychic Contexts	Effect of Improved Social Interaction Improved general and collegial relations Improved teaching-learning relations Increased reaching out to others Increased acceptance of others Improved family relations
Effect of Increased Sense of Identity Increased willingness to venture Increased realistic self-expectations Increased personal integration Increased self-acceptance Increased assertiveness Increased tendency to take up a standpoint Increased self-confidence and improved self-image Effects in the Intra-Psychic Context	Effect of Transcending Experiences Deepening of relationship with God Deepening of personal spiritual experience
Effect of Increased Tranquility Increased relaxedness and calm Increased serenity and contentment	Points of Strength & Difficulty of the Process Support Teaching and materials Permissiveness of mantra choice Struggle with compliance Need to meditate together Problems with �Eastern� connotations of meditation Distractions Struggle to start CSM The use of CSM for religious purposes

 

Participants Subjective Conceptualization of CSM

Observations of Participants

�(In Relation to the Process of Teaching, Practicing and Monitoring of CSM)

Conclusions

 

  

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