[AISWorld] Contemplative practices: Call for book chapters

[Lin, Hong]

We are writing a book to be published by Nova Science Publishers. We are calling for authors to contribute chapters to this book.


The book will be a collection of scientific studies of contemplative practices, including pedagogical and experimental aspects of the studies such as research design, measurement, assessment, statistical modeling, data mining, technology integration, and program development and evaluation. It aims to serve as a forum to inspire empirical studies of contemplative practices and its implications in psychological and healthcare applications. It includes extrication of contemplative practices, compiled interpretation of bodily manifestations, psychological analysis, and systematic studies of the effect of contemplative practices through data analysis. It also addresses the pedagogical, logistical, societal issues related to contemplative practices. It can serve as a reference book to scholars, researchers, graduate students, and any people who are interested in contemplative practices across fields of natural, computing, and social sciences.


Meditation and contemplative practices are not new topics for scholarly study. In recent years, the term "life science" has been used to denote studies related to the understanding of human nature and seeking ways to harmonize human life with the surrounding physical, mental and emotional environment. As NIH program director Emmeline Edwards shared:


"... there has been a growing interest in meditation practices; they are practiced in multiple forms (with and without movement); and they are used for multiple reasons including enhancing the quality of life, reducing psychological stress, and improving health outcomes. Meditation has been practiced since ancient times as a component of religious traditions and beliefs. There are, however, various styles of meditation practices; all include some training of the mind and self-induction of a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit."



Nor is the scientific study of the benefits of contemplative practices new. In the past 30 years, the benefits of such practices have been studied, both changes to the brain, and outcomes of meditation practices for quality of life.


However, there has not yet been an exploration of methodology or methods that take contemplative practice as its topic. This book presents a range of ways to study the effects of meditation empirically, including studies on the meditation itself and methods for the evaluation, measurement, and organization of meditation and other contemplative practices.


In this book, we examine the critical procedures of contemplative approaches and aim to guide the scientific research of contemplative practices. We also present up-to-date information about advances in scientific examination of contemplative approaches as a means for mind-body regulation and healthcare purposes. We hope that exploring appropriate methods for the systematic study of contemplative approaches can indirectly make a positive impact on the daily lives of practitioners and those with whom they interact.


Interested authors please contact the following persons for details about manuscript preparation:


Hong Lin, Ph.D.

Department of Computer Science and Engineering Technology

University of Houston-Downtown?

Email: linh at uhd.edu



Qiu Wang, Ph.D.
Department of Higher Education
Syracuse University
Email: wangqiu at syr.edu<mailto:wangqiu at syr.edu>


Diane Grimes, Ph.D.

Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies

Syracuse University?

Email: dsgrimes at syr.edu<mailto:dsgrimes at syr.edu>