When Does Meditation Expand the Perception Box? A Comparative Longitudinal Study

Overview

A two-year study will investigate the effects of regular meditation practice on health and well-being in different meditation traditions, using various self-reported measures and "voice diaries" to assess changes in perception and experiences.

Abstract

While the benefits of introductory meditation courses are well documented, regular practice remains virtually unexplored scientifically. We will conduct a two-year longitudinal cohort study recruiting participants from popular secular and spiritual Buddhist traditions: Mindfulness-based programs, Theravada, and Zen. We will study whether and how more practice leads to better health and well-being via “Perception Box” expansion, which will be operationalised using measures around empathy, values, experience-distancing processes, and sensory experiences. Practice characteristics, resource investment, health, and well-being will be self-reported periodically, as well as spoken stream-of-consciousness “voice diaries” to assess experience themes, contextual cues in discourse, and linguistic and acoustic features. We will compare findings between traditions and with models of meditation progression used by meditation teachers. Our research will offer a thorough understanding of the potential of regular meditation to promote health and well-being, informing policymakers and millions of prospective practitioners.

Broader Impact

This project explores how regular meditation over time can deepen people’s awareness and improve their overall health and well-being. By studying different meditation styles and tracking changes in perception, empathy, and experience through innovative methods like voice diaries, researchers hope to provide clear guidance on the benefits and progress of meditation practice. The findings will support meditation teachers, practitioners, and health policymakers in creating more effective and accessible meditation programs.