___, and R. C. Spencer. Intense personal experiences: Subjective effects,
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PMID: 2246361.
Abstract: Following leads by Maslow (1964, 1968) and others who described peak
experiences, this study was designed to learn more about the (1) subjective effects; (2)
after-effects; and (3) interpretations of intense positive and negative experiences.
Comparisons were made between respondents’ “most positive” and “most negative”
experiences and between these positive experiences and those of members of a yoga
ashram. It was found that except for the differences in affect, positive and negative
experiences were similar in subjective effects and impact on later life. The most positive
experience of most respondents fell short of peak experience as described by Maslow. On
the other hand, the most positive experience of ashram respondents showed evidence of a
genuine alternation of consciousness and lasting life change afterward. The results suggest
that only in rare instances is therapeutic change or self-actualization initiated by peak
experiences. Implications are discussed.
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Wittine, Bryan. Jungian analysis and nondual wisdom. In John J. Prendergast, Peter Fenner, and
Sheila Krystal, eds., The Sacred Mirror: Nondual Wisdom and Psychotherapy. St. Paul, Minn.:
Paragon House, 2003.
Wittkower, E. D., and H. Warnes. Cultural aspects of psychotherapy. Am J Psychother, Oct
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1390.
Wolff, Margaret. The psychology of the soul: An interview with Brother Anandamoy. Yoga
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Wood, C. Mood change and perceptions of vitality: A comparison of the effects of relaxation,
visualization and yoga. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, May 1993, 86(5):254-258.
Abstract: The effects of three different procedures, relaxation, visualization and yogic breathing
(pranayama) and stretch on perceptions of physical and mental energy and on postive and
negative mood states have bee nassessed in a group of normal volunteers (N = 71, age range 21-
76). Pranayama produced a significantly greater increase in perceptions of mental and physical
energy and feelings of alertness and enthusiasm than the other two procedures (P < 0.5).
Relaxation made subjects significantly more sleepy and sluggish immediately after the session
than pranayama (P < 0.05). Visualization made them more sluggish but less content than
pranayama (P < 0.05) and more upset than relaxation after the second session (P < 0.05). Thus, a
30 min programme of yogic stretch and breathing exercises which is simple to learn and which
can be practised even by the elderly had a markedly “invigorating” effect on perceptions of both
mental and physical energy and increased high positive mood. A more extensive investigation is
planned to establish whether such a programme can readily be incorporated into everyday life,
and with what long-term results.