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Sudarshan Kriya and Pranayama: Insights Into an Indic Spiritual Practice for Promoting Well-Being
Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health
Short Title: Sudarshan Kriya and Pranayama
Format: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2014/01/02/
Pages: 51 - 71
Sources ID: 85416
Visibility: Public (group default)
Abstract: (Show)
This article is based on an Indic spiritual practice called the Sudarshan Kriya and Pranayama (SK&P) developed by Art of Living Foundation, a fast-growing, transnational, and popular new religious movement started by the charismatic teacher Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in India. Drawing from the experiences of 828 participants of this spiritual and meditative technique, the focus is to look at its efficacy to promote well-being. Factors that led the participants to learn this practice were explored. Two scales have been used to understand well-being post program participation: the Well-Being Picture Scale and Meaning in Life Questionnaire. The practice is perceived as effective for stress relief, promoting an overall sense of well-being, increasing optimism, and enhancing coping. Crucial to its efficacy are postprogram self-practice and attendance of follow-up sessions. Based on an analysis of SK&P in the light of models of spirituality, this article proposes a frame for cross-cultural utilization of SK&P as a spiritual practice and technique to promote well-being.