Transforming adversity into an ally: A qualitative study of “feeding your demons” meditation
Eve Ekman, Christopher J. Koenig, Jennifer Daubenmier, Kate Greer Dickson, Vanessa Simmons, Amy E. Braun, Philippe R. Goldin
Frontiers in Psychology November 30, 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.806500 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot randomized controlled trial with qualitative component Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 61 |
| Population | Community adults from the U.S. with prior meditation experience and moderate levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms (70% female) |
| Duration | One month (15 meditation sessions) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Participants reported being able to reframe or transform their relationship to distressing thoughts, emotions, and experiences through the meditation, gaining personal insights, self-compassion, and acceptance that shaped their future intentions for action. Five themes emerged: enhanced self-worth and confidence, empathy for the "demon" or rejected parts of oneself, increased self-awareness, an active-oriented "fierce" self-compassion, and an acceptance form of self-compassion. The authors suggest a secular Vajrayana Buddhist practice may benefit Western meditation practitioners with no prior Vajrayana training. |
Abstract
Contemplative science has made great strides in the empirical investigation of meditation practices, such as how mindfulness, compassion, and mantra practices impact health and well-being. However, meditation practices from the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition that use mental imagery to transform distressing beliefs and emotions have been little explored. We examined the “Feeding Your Demons” meditation, a secular adaptation of the traditional Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist meditation practice of Chöd (“Severance”) in a pilot, randomized controlled trial in which 61 community adults from the U.S. with prior meditation experience and moderate levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms (70% female)were randomly assigned to one month (15 meditation sessions) of “Feeding Your Demons” practice or a waitlist control group. Written diary entries were collected immediately after each meditation session. We used an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis approach to examine qualitative responses to two questions which probed (1) how participants made meaning of each meditation session and (2) how they thought it may impact their future thoughts and intentions for action. Five major themes were identified based on 20 codes developed through an inductive review of written responses across all participants. The themes included an enhanced sense of self-worth and confidence, empathy for the “demon” or rejected parts of oneself, increased self-awareness, an active-oriented “fierce” self-compassion, and an acceptance form of self-compassion. Overall, participants expressed an ability to reframe, or transform, their relationship to distressing thoughts, emotions, and experiences as they gained personal insights, self-compassion, and acceptance through the meditation process which in turn shaped their future intentions for action in the world. This research suggests that a secular form of a Vajrayana Buddhist practice may be beneficial for Western meditation practitioners with no prior training in Vajrayana Buddhism. Future research is warranted to understand its longer-term impacts on health and well-being.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Deconstructive meditations and psychotherapy: Transforming the perception of the self. World Journal of Psychiatry June 19, 2025
- A Unifying Framework of Meditation Techniques Mindfulness February 1, 2026
- From Buddhist meditation to psychological well-being: an ethical-cultural training ecology model Frontiers in Psychology September 3, 2026
- Editorial: The Varieties of Contemplative Experiences and Practices PsyArXiv June 1, 2023
Cites 19
- Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology October 27, 2008
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Interoception, contemplative practice, and health Frontiers in Psychology June 9, 2015
- Mental balance and well-being: Building bridges between Buddhism and Western psychology. American Psychologist 2006
- Psychedelics, Meditation, and Self-Consciousness Frontiers in Psychology September 4, 2018
and 14 more in the library