Cultivating an Eastern self: A qualitative study of the impact of mindfulness meditation on Western-born practitioners' views of self and well-being

With increasing participation in Eastern contemplative activities by Western-born practitioners, psychological research is needed on how meditation influences conceptualizations of the self. Descriptive thematic analyses of one-on-one interviews with seven women and men residing in USA focused on how their perceptions of the self were affected by dedication to practicing meditation (from between 10 - 45 years). Through their practice, participants came to perceive the Eastern conceptualization as distinguishing ego (as encumbering, mundane, and impermanent) from self (as transcendent, idealized, and interconnected). They saw Eastern conceptualizations of self as advantageous (promoting non-attachment, balance, compassion, interdependence, and spiritual bliss) and disadvantageous (risking dis-identification with personal identity and emotion). They reported meditation practice had more favorable effects on the self (promoting resilience, self-awareness, better relationships, and stronger mind/body connection), than unfavorable effects (risking emotional dysregulation). Themes are discussed with regard to personality theory, clinical practice, and promotion of individual well-being through meditation.