Raja Yoga meditation: A personal spiritual experience and narrative inquiry.

The COVID-19 pandemic catalysed widespread psychological distress, daily disruptions, and pervasive uncertainty. This paper presents a narrative inquiry exploring a personal spiritual journey with Raja Yoga meditation, initiated via an online course during the pandemic lockdown. The account investigates the interconnected roles of spiritual knowledge, meditation practice, and selfless service (Sewa) in enhancing psychological well-being and fostering profound inner transformation. Additionally, a unique subjective experience during a residential spiritual retreat is analysed through both spiritual and neuro-psychological frameworks. The findings highlight the potential of meditation-based spiritual practices to cultivate self-awareness, mental clarity, and emotional resilience. This study contributes to the expanding body of literature addressing the intersection of spirituality and mental health during global crises.