Rebecca Saunders

The popularity of meditation has grown significantly in the West over the past two decades. Research studies in this area fall broadly into two main categories: (a) those which explore the clinical effectiveness of meditation in terms of neural and physiological changes; and, (b) those which explore the cognitive and emotional aspects of meditative practice. Few studies examine the design and implementation of meditation courses and the individual and collective journeys of those who undertake them. Given the increasing popularity in meditation training and the number of courses being offered, we argue that there is a need for a research-base to inform the design and implementation of such programs; to help better understand and support the needs of participants. This presentation shares initial findings from the first two phases (two of four) of a sequential mixed-methods study, designed to examine participant perceptions and experiences of an adult meditation training course (Mahat Meditation). Findings reveal participants have changed their perceptions of self, others, the world and sense of wellbeing as a result of the course and attribute these changes to aspects of the design and implementation of the training. Implications for meditation training course design and further research are discussed.