Exploring the Experiential Dimensions of Vipassana Meditation on Integrated Well-being through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the subjective experience of Vipassana meditation practice and its association with well-being, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as the main research method. By IPA, this study aims to explore the lived experiences of individuals who have been participating in Vipassana meditation with an aim to gain insight into how the meditative practice has affected an individual's overall experience of well-being. The analysis produces a complex concept of Vipassana meditation that unveils aspects which include increased attention, emotional balance, self-understanding, self-transformation, and interconnectedness. Within these themes, participants describe their experiences as transformative, revealing how Vipassana meditation is entwined with their spirituality, the meaning of their lives, and their holistic well-being. This study makes a phenomenological contribution that interprets the complexities of meditation about individual health, well-being, and spirituality. Based on an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) design and using a purposive sampling method, the present study identifies 10 participants with a high engagement in Vipassana meditations. Semi-structured interviews are audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, which received an in-depth Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) using a detailed double-page table that examines and compares individual experiences, identifies emergent themes, and provides its explanatory interpretative analysis. The authors note that the small sample size of ten participants and the inherent biases of self-reporting through interviews limit generalization of these results to the population. The authors indicate that larger and more diverse participant pools in the future could increase the applicability of study findings. These findings contribute to the understanding of Vipassana by carrying out the first interpretative phenomenological analysis of active practitioners of this type of mindful meditation. Together, the IPA methodology enhances our conceptualization of the complex interplay between Vipassana meditation and well-being, providing unique perspectives on the difficulties and benefits that may accompany meditative practice.