Changes in Self-Concept, Ego Defense Mechanisms, and Religiosity Following Seven-Day Vipassana Meditation Retreats

Abstract

To enhance psychological adjustment, Vipassana meditation assists individuals to perceive the transitory nature of the self. Beeauae the consequences of this potentially troubling insight are not well understood, changes in self-concept and ego defense mechanisms of two cohorts (N1= 222, N2 = 216) of young (M = 18.03 years) Thai participants who attended separate seven-day Vipassana meditation retreats and a nontreated control group (N= 281) were compared. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed positive gains in all areas of self-representation among meditators relative to controls @ < .001). Ego defense mechanisms of the meditation participants also underwent significant change (p < .0001) with coping becoming characterized by e a t e r maturity and tolerance of common stressors. Increases in Buddhist beliefs were significantly correlated with heightened self-esteem and less impulsiveness (ps < ,001). Theoretical and applied implications of the findings are discussed. Interest regarding the effects of meditation based on traditional Buddhist principles remains high (Goldstein 1993; Kabat-Zinn 1994; Shapiro 1992a; Tart 1990). Vipassana, which is one of the oldest forms of Buddhist meditative practice, was developed within the Theravada tradition and consists of the mindful observation of whatever arises in con-scio&ness. It is believed the sustained awareness of cognitive and sensory phenomena will lead to the realization that unnecessary suffering results when attempts are made to attach to a n y h n g within the impermanent flux of human experience (Bucknell and Stuart-Fox 1993: ch. 4; Janakabhivamsa 1995; Nyanaponika 1988; SolB-Lens 1986). Other terms for Vipassana practice include "insight meditation" or simply "mindfulness" (Gunaratana 1993). This form of meditation is gaining increased recognition, and several studies have shown positive outcome following the application of interventions based on insight meditation procedures (e.g.

Religiosity and Mental Health: A Meta–Analysis of Recent Studies

“…Causal patterns need to be established empirically, via appropriate longitudinal or, ideally, random assignment designs. Research along these lines into the impact of meditation exercises on positive mental states has generated both positive (Emavardhana and Tori 1997) and negative (Shapiro 1992) consequences. It is possible that religious involvement also has more complicated influences than suggested by our correlational results.…”

The meeting of meditative disciplines and western psychology: A mutually enriching dialogue.

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