JMVRI 2026, issue 29, paper 1

JMVRI Issue No. 29 features three studies: “Psychological Determinants of Mental and Physical Wellbeing in Participants of Personal Development Groups”, by Joanna Wanta (pp. 11–47); “Conflict and Conflict Resolution: Domain of the Action Principle, Para Shakti/Mother Divine”, by Candace Badgett (pp. 49–64); and “Vastu, Traditional Knowledge Holders, and Contemporary Architecture Education and Practice in India” by Aparna Datey (pp. 65–99).

JMVRI Issue Number 29

JMVRI Paper 29.1

Psychological Determinants of Mental and Physical Wellbeing in Participants of Personal Development Groups

Author: Joanna Wanta

https://doi.org/10.66743/ykzl6638

This paper can be downloaded via the following link:

https://www.academia.edu/165956599/Psychological_Determinants_of_Mental_and_Physical_Wellbeing_in_Participants_of_Personal_Development_Groups_Psychologiczne_uwarunkowania_dobrostanu_psychicznego_i_fizycznego_uczestnik%C3%B3w_grup_rozwoju_osobistego

Citation: Wanta, J. (2026). Psychological determinants of mental and physical wellbeing in participants of personal development groups. Journal of Maharishi Vedic Research Institute, 29, 11–47.

Summary: 

International studies conducted around the world have considered important human traits such as wellbeing and self-esteem. The present study seeks to add further insight to that body of understanding. The research group consisted of 399 people—187 Europeans, 138 Americans, and 74 people from other countries.

Participants were assigned to five personal development study groups, engaged in one or other of the following practices or programs: Buddhist meditation, Transcendental Meditation, mindfulness, Zen Buddhist meditation, or neuro-linguistic programing (NLP). The purpose of the present study was to examine the level of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and mental, physical and emotional wellbeing according to the type of personal development training they received and practised.

Findings suggest practitioners of Transcendental Meditation had the highest levels of wellbeing, life satisfaction and self-esteem. Statistically significant inter-group differences in favour of Transcendental Meditation were also observed for measures such as recurring headaches, pain and tension, chest and heart pain, breathlessness, heart palpitations and fatigue.