Mindfulness, Resilience and Optimism among practitioners and non-practitioners of Meditation

Abstract

Challenges in life can disrupt the basic state of balance of an individual. Resilience and optimism are essential traits that allow a person to get through difficult times and move towards success. Resilience is the capacity to adapt to life altering and stressful situations. Optimism refers to the capacity of maintaining positive attitude and hope for future. Mindfulness is known to decrease stress and improve resilience and optimism. Mindfulness is about paying attention in the present moment and observing oneself in a non-reactive and non-judgemental manner. Meditation aims for using certain strategies for mental relaxation and paying attention in the present moment and experience, thus creating a mindful state. The present research aims to study the relationship between mindfulness, resilience and optimism and the difference between the three among regular meditation practitioners and non-practitioners. The sample (N=81) includes practitioners (N=40) and non-practitioners (N=41) of meditation from age 23 to 45.  Meditation practitioners practised some sort of meditation at least 3 to 4 times a week for 20 to 30 minutes at a time while the non-practitioners had no formal meditation practice as a routine. It was seen that there is a positive correlation between mindfulness, resilience and optimism and regular meditation practitioners are significantly higher on mindfulness, resilience and optimism than non-practitioners. Meditation allows an individual to be mindful of the nature of their thought and emotion that further aids in self-regulation and self-control. It promotes greater self-awareness that can prevent negative biases in our judgement.