Masculinity, Meditation and Mental Health

It is often said that men are 'in crisis,' blighted by the adverse effects of corrosive masculinity norms ranging from emotional disconnection to aggression. Consequently, with men in considerable 'trouble' relative to their female counterparts – from higher levels of suicide, alcoholism and violence to poorer health and educational outcomes – the question of how to help men 'change' is pressing. This book offers one possible solution. It shows how a group of men learned to overcome their masculine inheritance by taking up meditation. Tim Lomas follows their difficult but ultimately rewarding life journeys as they sought and found an elusive sense of wellbeing. The book interweaves these personal narratives with the very latest research and theory at the intersection of gender and mental health, together with practical recommendations for those working with men (and indeed for men themselves). The result is a powerful account of the potential for men to change and to lead lives that are more conducive to wellbeing.

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.