Effects of Two Online Positive Psychology and Meditation Programs on Persistent Self-Transcendence

Abstract

The first comprehensive studies on the effects of transitioning to persistent forms of selftranscendence 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