Unveiling Consciousness: Meditation Through Parapsychology and Sacred Traditions

Abstract

Meditation, a practice rooted in ancient spiritual traditions, holds significant importance both in world religions and the field of parapsychology. In religious contexts, meditation is a method of inner contemplation, spiritual awakening, and union with the divine, as seen in Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam (Sufism), and other faiths. Each tradition attributes unique goals to meditation, such as enlightenment, divine communion, or inner peace. From the parapsychological perspective, meditation is studied for its potential to enhance human consciousness and access altered states of awareness, sometimes associated with extrasensory perception (ESP), telepathy, or psychokinesis. Research in parapsychology suggests that meditative states may unlock latent psychic abilities or deepen intuitive insight. This paper explores the convergence and divergence between spiritual and scientific views of meditation, aiming to understand its multifaceted impact on human consciousness and transcendent experiences.