Self-transcendent experiences (STEs) are moments when a person feels connected to something larger than themselves, yet their nature and process are not well understood. Through in-depth interviews with 15 healthy adults, three major themes emerged: the context in which the experience occurs, the phenomenology or what it feels like, and the aftermath or long-term effects. The context includes the setting, the phenomenology involves perceptual changes, and the aftermath includes lasting impacts. These findings help build a preliminary theory of STEs in healthy adults, offering a clearer picture of how these experiences unfold and what they mean for individuals.
Incarcerated adolescent males who took part in a one-day meditation retreat and a 10-week meditation programme reported higher scores in self-regulation, along with psychological enhancement. No behavioral change was observed. Six themes emerged from the data: enhanced well-being, increased self-discipline, increased social cohesiveness, expanded self-awareness, resistance to meditation, and future meditation practice. The findings suggest that meditation training for incarcerated youth is a feasible and promising intervention.
Incarcerated male adolescents who completed a 10-week mindfulness-based intervention reported increases in subjective well-being, self-regulation, awareness, and an accepting attitude toward the treatment. The findings suggest that adapted mindfulness programs are feasible for this population and hold promise as a treatment option.
A review of empirical research on meditation-based programs in correctional populations finds that three interventions—Transcendental Meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and 10-day Vipassana retreats—have been most studied. Overall, the evidence suggests these programs enhance psychological well-being, reduce substance use, and lower recidivism. The review indicates that meditation-based programs may serve as proper treatment and support rehabilitation for incarcerated individuals.