Influence of a Self-identification Meditation Intervention on Psychological and Neurophysiologic Variables

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of a brief, twenty minute, breath based, Self-identification meditation intervention on meditation experiences, identity, mindfulness and spirituality perceptions, and correlative neurophysiologic functioning in a small convenience sample of 10 South African adults (7 women and 3 men, with a mean age of 55 and an age range of 33 to 77 years). Main findings were qualitatively meaningful improvements in experiences and identity perceptions. This was associated with significant quantitative increases in mindfulness, spirituality, muscle relaxation and EEG alpha activity. Integrated findings indicated the beneficial, personal, spiritual and psychotherapeutic value of the Self-identification meditation intervention.

Keywords:

• breath-based
• psychosynthesis
• self-identification
• meditation
• identity
• mindfulness
• spirituality
• neurophysiology