Masculinity, Meditation and Mental Health

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-ix

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Tim Lomas

   Pages 1-8

3. Masculinity and Wellbeing

   • Tim Lomas

   Pages 9-38

4. Becoming a Man

   • Tim Lomas

   Pages 39-63

5. Seeking Wellbeing

   • Tim Lomas

   Pages 64-91

6. Turning Inwards through Meditation

   • Tim Lomas

   Pages 92-119

7. Meditation and Wellbeing

   • Tim Lomas

   Pages 120-151

8. Conclusions and Recommendations

   • Tim Lomas

   Pages 152-176

9. Back Matter

   Pages 177-220

   PDF

It is said that men are 'in crisis', blighted by the adverse effects of corrosive masculine norms ranging from emotional disconnection to aggression. This book follows one group of men seeking to overcome their masculine inheritance and ultimately reach a sense of wellbeing by taking up meditation.

• aggression
• crisis
• health

"The book offers new and thoughtful ways to look at men and masculinity through a health focused perspective on meditation." - Ken Harland, University of Ulster, UK

'Masculinity, Meditation and Mental Health is a rare thing a hopeful book about men's health and wellbeing. Through documenting the journeys of men who have engaged with meditation, Tim Lomas highlights the benefits (and struggles) of letting go of conventional masculinities (toughness; emotional restriction; risk-taking) and reimagining (gendered) selves in ways which actively attend to emotions and enhance wellbeing. Theoretically, the focus on 'critical positive masculinity' is innovative, and recommendations for practice include specific meditation exercises for men an uplifting finale!' Brendan Gough, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK

• University of East London, UK

  Tim Lomas

Tim Lomas is a lecturer at the University of East London, UK, where he is a module leader for the MSc in Applied Positive Psychology. He completed a PhD at the University of Westminster in 2012, and then undertook research at the University of Warwick, before taking up his current position in 2013.

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