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Effects of Vipassanā Meditation on Lay Practitioners’ Life

Mukti Prasad Pandey

Lumbini Prabha May 16, 2025 DOI: 10.3126/lumbinip.v10i1.78833 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Mixed-methods study Peer reviewed
Sample size 215
Population Old Vipassanā students who had participated in at least one Vipassanā course as taught by S. N. Goenka and continued their practice
Topics Meditation
Keywords Psychotherapist Traditional medicine Theology
Key points Vipassanā practice brings significant positive impacts on both personal and professional life of lay meditators, regardless of gender, age, marital status, profession, or educational background.

Abstract

Vipassanā is an ancient meditation technique discovered by Buddha during his enlightenment. S. N. Goenka learned Vipassanā from Sayagyi U Ba Khin of Myanmar and introduced the technique from Mynmar to India, Nepal and many other countries. Largely based on a descriptive framework and mixed methods, the study evaluates the effects of Vipassanā practice on personal and professional lives of lay meditators. In addition to secondary data, primary data were collected through structured questionnaire from 215 old Vipassanā students who had participated in at least one Vipassanā course as taught by S. N. Goenka and continued their practice. Empirical analysis demonstrated that Vipassanā practice brings positive impacts on personal and professional life of lay meditators. On a personal level, by purifying meditators’ minds, Vipassanā practice helps them develop a positive and optimistic attitude, reduce anger, stress and anxiety, improve personal and social relation, and enhance the quality of self-realization. These personal attributes further contribute to professional development as well. By improving concentration, Vipassanā practice can transform individuals from within, ultimately benefiting their professional lives. Gradually, a Vipassanā meditator can improve relationships with colleagues and subordinates, motivate others at work, enhance planning and decision-making abilities, and demonstrate improved efficiency and productivity in their organization. Regardless of gender, age, marital status, profession, educational background, the study found significant positive effects of Vipassanā practice on the personal and professional life of lay meditators. In most clusters, frequency analysis data were supported by chi-square test results at a five percent level of significance.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists Western Buddhist meditation practitioners and experts in Theravāda, Zen, and Tibetan... 2017 Qualitative study with mixed-methods
The Effects of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction on Nurse Stress and Burnout Nurses in a hospital system 2004 Implementation study with mixed methods
An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness -based cognitive therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care Primary care patients with recurrent depression or recurrent depression and anxiety 2006 Exploratory mixed methods study n = 13
A qualitative study of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for depression Participants in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in a mental-health context 2001 Qualitative study n = 7
Effortless awareness: using real time neurofeedback to investigate correlates of posterior cingulate cortex activity in meditators' self-report Meditators 2013 Qualitative study using grounded theory methodology

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