HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies
January 11, 2012
Stephen D. Edwards, David J. Edwards
5 citations
In a small group of 10 practicing Christians who meditated for at least 15 minutes, the meditation process generally moved from body to mind to spirit, with participants reporting increasingly relaxed, contented, and focused states of consciousness marked by Christian Trinitarian imagery, wonder, surrender, peace, bliss, openness, and formlessness. Brainwave recordings showed significant increases in alpha and beta activity from baseline to meditation, along with rising trends in theta and gamma activity and decreasing trends in delta activity, muscle tension, blood volume pulse, and respiration. The findings suggest that brief sessions of Christian Trinitarian meditation may enhance spiritual life and support everyday conscious behavior.
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies
February 8, 2017
Stephen D. Edwards, David J. Edwards
1 citation
A small pilot study with eight Christian participants found that a Christ-centered contemplation combined with HeartMath techniques was linked to increases in psychophysiological coherence, sense of coherence, spirituality, and health perceptions. Participants reported feelings of peaceful oneness and connection with Christ. The integrative findings suggest Christ consciousness may be a non-dual process of sensing vibrational resonance from the human heart.
HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
May 21, 2012
Stephen D. Edwards
Hope involves states and stages of consciousness development that can be enhanced through breath control, meditation, prayer, and related practices central to spiritual healing traditions. Breath control alone may lead to pure, transcendent, or cosmic consciousness, but its effects on consciousness can be anchored and amplified through further contemplative and intercessory meditation and prayer, varying across people, groups, contexts, and traditions. A specific method called One Breath is associated with pure consciousness and the experience of hope, typically leading to further spiritual practice, healing, and transformation. Ongoing spiritual practice is crucial for improving consciousness development, healing, and hope for individuals, societies, the planet, and the cosmos.