Abstract
This integral investigation explored phenomenological and neurophysiologic, individual
and collective dimensions of Christian Trinitarian meditation experiences in a volunteer,
convenience sample of 10 practicing Christians, 6 men and 4 women, with a mean age of 48
years and an age range from 21 to 85 years. Participants meditated for a minimum period of 15
minutes, during which neurophysiologic data in the form of electroencephalographic (EEG),
electromyographic (EMG), blood volume pulse (BVP) and respiratory activity were recorded.
A phenomenological analysis indicated that the meditation process generally involved
a movement from body to mind to spirit as evident in reports of an increasingly relaxed,
contented and focused state of consciousness characterised by Christian Trinitarian imagery,
wonder, surrender, peace, bliss, openness and formlessness. The neuropsychological findings
indicated significant increases, from baseline to meditation recordings, in the alpha and beta
range, accompanied by increasing mean trends in the theta and gamma range, and decreasing
mean trends in the delta range, EMG, BVP and respiration. Integrative findings indicated
the practical theological value of small doses of Christian Trinity meditation to enhance
spiritual life for those forms of waking, thinking, conscious behaviour needed in everyday
world involvement and healing. Findings were discussed in relation to further integrative
investigations and interventions with practical theological implications