This work investigates the psychological mechanisms of meditation and its capacity to serve as a systematic strategy for self-regulation and the induction of altered states of consciousness. Deane H. Shapiro, a noted researcher in the field of behavioral medicine, synthesizes clinical observations and experimental data to define how meditative practices influence physiological and cognitive processes. The text argues that meditation functions as a measurable tool for personal control rather than merely a mystical or religious experience.

Experts recognize this text as a foundational academic inquiry into the clinical applications of meditation during the late twentieth century. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which prioritizes empirical observation over anecdotal or spiritual interpretation.