Embodied Consciousness During Meditative Moving: Neurocognitive Theories

The poster and presentation describe existing neuroscientific theories on how a meditative Flow state (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990) can manifest in movement performance. A pilot experiment design and its results are also presented as an empirical approach to this research topic

Development of a micro renal excretion model mimicking functions of glomerulus and renal tubule

学位記番号：理工博乙1

Interdisciplinary investigation into meditative Flow states and their roles in movement performance

This thesis focuses on the idea of Flow (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990), a psychological phenomenon that involves complete immersion and “optimal” experience. Whereas many existing studies focus on telic Flow – e.g. fixed goals, performance-oriented – the current thesis places focus on paratelic Flow – e.g. open goals, sensation-oriented – by exploring its role in dance and movement performance (Swann et al., 2018). In response to the call to reconceptualise and clarify the concept of Flow with regards to its various manifestations, the thesis draws from other related/similar concepts, such as pre-reflective experiences in dance (Fraleigh, 1987), the idea of no-mind in Zen practice (Yuasa, 1993), and the hypofrontality theory (Dietrich, 2004). Building on these concepts, the thesis examines how dancers might experience paratelic Flow within meditative movement episodes. Another focus of the thesis is to explore how Flow experiences might interact with a dancer’s physical performance. This line of inquiry draws inspiration from both philosophical and neurocognitive accounts, which identify a relationship between Flow and “optimal” movement performance. Given the paucity of cross-disciplinary dialogue, the thesis attempts to investigate the above topics through an interdisciplinary mixed-methods approach. Through an exploratory survey (Chapter 4) followed by a series of event-focused interviews (Chapter 5) – the thesis explores 1.) how dancers and movement practitioners might experience Flow during a single movement session, 2.) how these states might interact with the mover’s physical performance, and 3.) how viewers perceive and describe a mover in Flow. The survey results indicated that movers may experience Flow through various meditative episodes that arise through movement, including improvisational sessions, technique classes, and performative events. The interview study showed that Flow appears in a cyclical process involving five distinct stages – Entering, Opening, Riding, Ebbing, and Resetting – during which the movers’ physical performance show observable changes in quality. Notably, during the “peak” state of Flow (Riding), movements are described by observers as fluid, organic, and well-coordinated, which is consistent with existing literature. Through these findings, the thesis provides clarity to the role of Flow during dance and movement performance and demonstrates possible links between the dancer’s mental state and his/her physical performanc

A study on cultivation of moral execution with extracurricular activities

社会の変動の激しい時代にあって，地域の大人とのつながり，学校での友だちとのつながりでさえ希薄になる傾向が進んでいる。望ましい人間関係がつくれなかったり，自分の目標を見失ったり，自分に自信を失ったりする子どもが増えている。こうした子ども達が望ましい人間関係を築くことができるようになるためには，日々の生活において他者，社会に積極的に関わり，人間としてのよりよい在り方を自覚し，よりよい生き方を求めていく中で，望ましい道徳性をはぐくむ必要がある。そこで，同年齢とふれあう学級活動や異年齢児童とふれあう学校行事などの特別活動を通じて，他者や社会に積極的に関わる道徳教育を行う。こうした体験的に自分の周りの人を思いやる心，正義や公正を重んじる心，協力し合う心をはぐくめば，社会性や相手の立場を思いやる心の大切さに気づき，望ましい人間関係を築き上げることができると考える。本研究では，特別活動との総合単元的道徳学習の実践事例をもとにして，子ども達の心の変革の要因を分析・考察し，道徳的実践力の育成の効果を検討する。It seems that children tend to weaken relationships between other people or friends at school. The number of children who lose their goals and confidence are increasing, because they can't construct desirable personal relationships, In order for them to be able to do it, they need to foster their morality through taking part in the society and others positively and seeking the better way of life as a human. Therefore, we try to create the moral education that children can have connection to others and the society through extracurricular activities such as class activities and school events. This education will develop the mentalities that care for others, value justice and equity, and cooperate with others. We insist that these effects encourage children to notice the importance of caring for the society and other's positions and construct the better personal relationships. This study provides some example projects about comprehensive unit moral education with extracurricular activities, and explores the effect of cultivation of moral execution

Lecture: Neurophenomenology of Flow and Meditative Moving

Lecture/workshop describing the connections between Flow (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi), meditation, movement, and neuroscience