Mindfulness meditation practices as a healing practice: Exploring their impact from mental health to self-perceptions of religious beliefs

Abstract

Mindfulness has attracted increasing attention in psychological research as a useful psychological support technique, especially when stress, depression, and pressures from work, school, or social expectations are on the rise. Mindfulness practice, with its focus on living fully in the present moment and accepting oneself, has been shown in many studies to be effective in reducing stress, improving sleep, increasing self-awareness, and managing emotions. This study explores how mindfulness meditation contributes to psychological healing and shapes practitioners’ perceptions of religious beliefs. A qualitative approach was used, involving six long-term mindfulness practitioners in Yogyakarta City who were selected purposively. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document reviews, and analyzed using content analysis. Findings show that mindfulness meditation reduces stress, improves emotional regulation, and strengthens self-awareness. Importantly, participants reported changes in their self-perceptions of religious beliefs, ranging from seeing mindfulness as complementary to their faith to experiencing tensions with established religious values. The results suggest that mindfulness meditation can function both as a healing technique and as a catalyst for reinterpreting spirituality. The study implies the need for culturally sensitive approaches in integrating mindfulness into psychological and educational interventions, while also offering directions for future cross-religious research.