Mindfulness meditation practices as a healing practice: Exploring their impact from mental health to self-perceptions of religious beliefs
Thien Nhan Tran, S. Sairin, Muhammad Syifa Amin Widigdo, M.Suud Fitria
SHS Web of Conferences 2025 DOI: 10.1051/shsconf/202522406003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 6 |
| Population | Long-term mindfulness practitioners in Yogyakarta City |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Participants reported that mindfulness meditation reduced stress, improved emotional regulation, and strengthened self-awareness. They also described shifts in their perceptions of religious beliefs, ranging from viewing mindfulness as complementary to their faith to experiencing tension with established religious values. The authors suggest mindfulness can act both as a healing technique and as a catalyst for reinterpreting spirituality. |
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.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 6
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- On some definitions of mindfulness Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
- Mindfulness in cultural context Transcultural Psychiatry August 1, 2015
- Does it matter how meditation feels? An experience sampling study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology August 1, 2024
- Toward a brain theory of meditation. Progress in Brain Research 2019
and 1 more in the library