Beyond Scientific Mechanisms: Subjective Perceptions with Viniyoga Meditation

Self-reports from meditation participants reveal how three distinct Viniyoga meditations, each using a different aspect of the ocean as a meditation object, can contribute to health and well-being. Yoga philosophy and anatomy models help explain participants' experiences and benefits. Four personal factors influence meditation outcomes: current life circumstances, the state of one's mind-body-breath system, reactions to meditation instructions, and prior experience with the meditation object. The authors, grounded in Viniyoga and yoga therapy, discuss why and for whom each meditation may be beneficial.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Healthcare professionals and research scientists generally recognize the potential value of mind–body practices grounded in ancient wisdom, but often have limited direct experience with such practices. Meditation participant self-reports provide a window into subjective experiences of three Viniyoga meditations and how and why those meditations could contribute to health and well-being outcomes. Each of the meditations in this analysis had a unique structure and used a different aspect of the ocean as a meditation object. Yoga philosophy and yoga anatomy models of the human system are used to help explain participants’ experiences and associated personal benefits and insights. Four aspects of the individual that can influence what happens for them in meditation are illustrated with tangible examples: (1) What is happening in generally in someone’s life; (2) the state of their system (mind, body, breath) around the time of the meditation; (3) reactions to the meditation steps and instructions; and (4) their prior experiences with the object of meditation. Summaries of the practices, and why and for whom each meditation might be beneficial are discussed. The authors’ perspectives are grounded in Viniyoga and yoga therapy.