Hi --

I do not know direct research but provided a theoretical explanation for the analysis of William McNeill's historical observations (see attached chapter, section on "Synchronous movement and social cohesiveness").

Best wishes,

Rolf

Wonderful - really nice. Thanks so much

Dear Bill,

One of my ex-graduate students completed his thesis on the experience and effects of chant; it's entitled "Singing as one" and is partly cognitively-grounded and partly anthropological.  I can send you a copy of you like, but you should be able to download it from Academia.edu if you search for "Guy Hayward".  He's presently engaged in singing his way round Britain - you'll find the details on the web at "awalkaroundbritain.com".

Best,

Ian

I have downloaded and scanned the document and it looks to be a remarkable, beautifully written thesis. Thank you so much for alerting me to it Ian. 

It's worth checking out Guy's singing as he and his friend Will complete numerous pilgrimages around Britain.

I would highly recommend that  you examine Ronald Pekalas research instrument called the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI).  Ron has developed a 52 item questionnaire that measures the minor and major dimensions of changes in consciousness that occur within a person experiencing any phenomenon that alters their consciousness.  I use the method in my meditation and hypnosis related research but the methods has also been used to study fire-walking, monotonous drumming, Christian prayer, and many many other procedures. 

Here is a link to a website that has all the principle research papers and instruments that stem from this approach.  Ron is a great person and would likely be very helpful to you if you had any questions about his instrument.:

http://www.quantifyingconsciousness.com/instuments.htm

Thanks Ian - very interesting. B