The Association of Relational Spirituality in an EcoMeditation Course with Flow, Transcendent States, and Professional Productivity.

BACKGROUND

Relational spirituality-a sense of oneness with, or personal connection to, a higher power or greater consciousness-has been associated with positive health outcomes in prior research. An evidence-based meditation method called EcoMeditation produces significant improvements in psychological health as well as physiological function.

OBJECTIVES

This study places EcoMeditation in the context of relational spirituality to evaluate changes in psychological symptoms and professional productivity associated with transcendent states of consciousness, including those characterized as "flow" and "nonduality."

METHODS

Participants (n = 41) were drawn from a convenience sample taking a 21-day online course in which they practiced EcoMeditation along with exercises designed to cultivate personal and relational spirituality. They were assessed pre, post, and at six-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were found post-test. These were accompanied by significant increases in happiness, flow, transcendent experiences, and professional-personal productivity. Follow-up indicated that gains in happiness, transcendent experiences, nonduality, and professional-personal productivity were maintained over time.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to the improvements in psychological symptoms identified in previous studies, EcoMeditation in the context of relational spirituality was associated with increases in nondual and transcendent states, as well as greater productivity. Although activities such as meditation are usually associated with elevated consciousness in altered states, they may also produce enhanced productivity and performance in everyday life.