Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, Vol 10(3), Sep 2023, 225-253; doi:10.1037/cns0000286
The first comprehensive studies on the effects of transitioning to persistent forms of self-transcendence are reported. Two online protocols that combined positive psychology exercises and meditation methods were studied. Instruction was pre-recorded and delivered online. Program 1 (n = 379) lasted 4 months, required 1.5–3 hr each day and contained a larger range of methods. Program 2 (n = 246) lasted 6 weeks, required 1.5–2 hr each day, and was a subset of Program 1. Participants were assessed using the Authentic Happiness Inventory, Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), PERMA Profiler Questionnaire, Fordyce Emotions Questionnaire (FEQ), Center for Epidemiology Studies–Depression questionnaire (CES-D), State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6), Mysticism Scale (M-Scale), Modified Nondual Embodiment Thematic Inventory (MNETI), and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). After each program, participants were sorted into one of six categories of self-transcendence: none (nNSE), temporary (tNSE), and four increasing degrees of persistent self-transcendence (Locations 1–4). Results from each measure were reported by category and compared within and across programs. Of participants, 68% transitioned to persistent self-transcendence for Program 1 and 65% for Program 2. Measures revealed consistent positive trends from the nNSE category through the third or fourth category of persistent self-transcendence, with strong statistical significance and moderate to strong effect sizes. Generally, post-program scores, percentage changes, and effect sizes were stronger for the longer program. Both longer and shorter multimodal programs transitioned participants to persistent forms of self-transcendence, resulting in highly beneficial effects across a broad range of psychological indicators. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)