Buddhist Meditation and Positive Psychology: Cultivating Happiness, Gratitude, and Life Satisfaction

A mixed-methods quasi-experimental study with 85 adults in Vietnam found that practicing Buddhist meditation (mindfulness and loving-kindness) led to significant increases in life satisfaction, subjective happiness, and gratitude compared to a wait-list control group. Gains were substantial (Cohen's d = 0.89, 0.76, and 0.65) and largely maintained at a 3-month follow-up. Qualitative reports indicated improved present-moment awareness, self-compassion, emotional regulation, and a sense of interconnectedness. The findings suggest Buddhist meditation practices are effective tools for enhancing well-being in non-Western cultural contexts.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Buddhist meditation practices, like mindfulness (sati) and metta bhavana, have become increasingly valued in Positive Psychology as methods for improving human flourishing. This research investigates the impact of Buddhist meditation practices on happiness, gratitude and life satisfaction. A mixed methods quasi experimental design was used with 85 adult participants from Vietnam (18 45 years). Participants were assigned to groups through a quasi-experimental (nonrandom) procedure: an intervention group (n = 43) and a wait list control group (n = 42). Quantitative measures of life satisfaction (SWLS), subjective happiness (SHS), and gratitude (GQ 6) were administered before and after the intervention, and 3 months later. Qualitative data were drawn from interviews and reflective journals. Participants in the meditation group experienced significant gains in life satisfaction (p <.001, Cohen's d = 0.89), subjective happiness (p <.001, Cohen's d = 0.76), and gratitude (p <.01, Cohen's d = 0.65) compared to control. The results of all 3 measures were relatively retained 3 months after the intervention. Analysis of the themes also showed that participants reported improved present moment awareness, increased self-compassion, healthier emotional regulation and a greater sense of interconnectedness. Overall, findings show that Buddhist meditation practices provide efficacious, evidence-based techniques that can further enhance the benefits of Positive Psychology practices. This study adds to the emerging studies on contemplative science research and supports the universality of Buddhist meditation practices in non-Western cultures.