Spiritual Experiences of Long-Term Meditation Practitioners Diagnosed with Breast Cancer: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Pilot Study.
Kanishtha Agarwal, Luann Fortune, Jennifer C Heintzman, Lisa L Kelly
Journal of Religion and Health October 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-020-00995-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 3 |
| Population | Long-term Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga meditators in the USA with a history of cancer diagnosis |
| Intervention | Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Breast neoplasms Pilot projects Spirituality Interpretative phenomenological analysis Cancer survivors Posttraumatic spiritual growth Raja yoga |
| Key findings | The authors report that long-term, spiritually focused Raja Yoga meditation contributed to increased well-being and resilience for three cancer survivors, with soul consciousness, awareness of eternity, lack of fear, being happy no matter what, and becoming an inspirational model emerging as themes not previously identified in the literature. They suggest such practices may support emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being and could be integrated into cancer treatment plans, though more research is required. |
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the spiritual experiences of long-term Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga (a spiritually focused meditation practice) meditators who have been diagnosed with cancer and to understand how their long-term meditation practice influenced their ability to face the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of surviving cancer. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to investigate the lived experience of spirituality as described by three cancer survivors. Participants with a history of a cancer diagnosis were sought from the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga meditation centers across the USA. The participants were interviewed in an in-depth and open-ended manner. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Five super-ordinate themes were identified: positive state of mind, self-awareness, God's healing power, spiritual support, and spiritual growth. Among the 20 sub-themes that were generated, soul consciousness, awareness of eternity, lack of fear, being happy no matter what, and becoming an inspirational model were new themes that emerged in this study not previously identified in the current literature. Long-term, spiritually focused meditation practice was found to contribute to increased well-being and resilience for these three participants in the face of a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment challenges. The powerful awareness of seeing the self as a soul, a metaphysical energy distinct from the body, was a major source of spiritual strength and growth for these cancer survivors. Spiritually focused meditation practices appear to increase the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of cancer survivors, which could translate into better physiological outcomes (more research is required in this area). Such self-care practices could be integrated into overall treatment plans, which may reduce the emotional and financial cost of health care and thus benefit the nation at large.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Revisiting The Contemplative Life in The Contemporary Era Jurnal Filsafat Indonesia April 30, 2024
- Characteristics of Kundalini-Related Sensory, Motor, and Affective Experiences During Tantric Yoga Meditation. Frontiers in Psychology June 30, 2022
- Effect of Raja Yoga Meditation on the Distress and Anxiety Levels of Women with Breast Cancer Religions July 31, 2021
Cites 2
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction and cancer: a meta-analysis. Psycho-Oncology June 2009
- Is spirituality a critical ingredient of meditation? Comparing the effects of spiritual meditation, secular meditation, and relaxation on spiritual, psychological, cardiac, and pain outcomes. Journal of Behavioral Medicine August 2005