Vipassana meditation: A naturalistic, preliminary observation in Muscat
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2001, Vol 3, Issue 2
Abstract
Objectives: To assess the effects of Vipassana meditation on the physical and psychological health in a multi-ethnic population in the city of Muscat. Method: The subjects were participants of a Vipassana meditation course taught in a ten-day residential retreat. Self-assessments of health-related parameters and physical and psychological symptomatology were collected from them before and immediately after the course. A control group was tested for a similar time interval. Results: Immediately after their 10-day training, the Vipassana participants assessed themselves significantly higher compared to their levels prior to the course, suggesting that the 10 days’ practice had significantly improved their physical and psychological well-being. The control group did not exhibit such changes. Conclusion: The present preliminary findings, juxtaposed with the results of studies from other parts of the world, suggest that the practice of Vipassana meditation may help mitigate psychological and psychosomatic distress. Key words: Vipassana, meditation, stress, physiological, psychological, Oman.
Authors and Affiliations
Ala’Aldin Al-Hussaini| Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box: 35, Al-Khod 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, Atsu S. S. Dorvlo| Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box: 35, Al-Khod 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, Sajjeev X. Antony| Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box: 35, Al-Khod 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, Dhananjay Chavan| Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box: 35, Al-Khod 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, Jitu Dave| Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O.Box: 35, Al-Khod 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, Vimal Purecha| Vipassana Research Institute, Igatpuri-422403, Dist. Nashik, Maharashtra, India, Samia Al-Rahbi| Vipassana Research Institute, Igatpuri-422403, Dist. Nashik, Maharashtra, India, Samir Al-Adawi| Vipassana Research Institute, Igatpuri-422403, Dist. Nashik, Maharashtra, India
Keywords
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