Spiritual Experiences of Long-Term Meditation Practitioners Diagnosed with Breast Cancer: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Pilot Study

AbstractThe 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...
Source: Journal of Religion and Health - Category: Medical Ethics Source Type: research