Transcending OCD: Studying the Effects of Transcending on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder through Transcendental Meditation
Adam Delfiner, Brittany Stahnke
Journal of Maharishi Vedic Research Institute October 1, 2024 DOI: 10.66743/aylk4278 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 11 |
| Population | People with obsessive-compulsive disorder who learned the Transcendental Meditation technique |
| Intervention | Transcendental Meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The authors argue that transcending during Transcendental Meditation treats OCD at its source by integrating the sense of self and reducing anxiety, based on interviews with 11 people with OCD who reported increased calmness, love, self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-trust. |
Abstract
This research explores the efficacy of transcending through the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique in reducing symptoms of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). ‘Transcending’ is defined as the conscious mind effortlessly going beyond all mental activity (i.e., thoughts or states of mental excitation) to experience the inner Self, a state of inner peace or Transcendental Consciousness, a process facilitated by Transcendental Meditation. The two most common treatments for OCD—cognitive behavioural therapy and medication—reduce OCD symptoms but do not address the underlying cause of OCD, which is stress and a fragmented sense of self. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 people with OCD who learned the Transcendental Meditation technique, as introduced and taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (Maharishi Foundation International, 2009), and thereby had access to the experience of transcending. Content analysis of interview data revealed that transcending primarily led to an integration of one’s sense of self and feelings. Codes included decreased anxiety, calmness, love, higher self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-trust. Transcending was seen as a holistic treatment which led to integration of all levels of individual life. Transcending during Transcendental Meditation appears to treat OCD by working at the source of the disorder, thereby providing a reliable foundation for real freedom from the obsessions and compulsions that characterise OCD.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.