Collage as a Method of Inquiry for University Women Practicing Mahavakyam Meditation: Ameliorating the Effects of Stress, Anxiety, and Sadness

Abstract

Spiritually focused interventions are increasing within social work/helping professions practice and research. Specifically the incorporation of meditation is taking root. This article conceptualizes a particular mantra meditation system, combined with visualization, called Mahavakyam Meditation (MM), and explores how it ameliorated the stress, sadness, and anxiety for women attending university. MM differs from the application of other mantra meditations in western therapeutic approaches with its unique emphasis on the creative potential of thought. MM includes two components: repetition of four proclamations, and creating a positive mental image of a goal not yet accomplished but imagined and believed as if it were already achieved. In this qualitative arts-based exploratory study, the author adopted a collage method as a form of analysis and representation to understand university women’s experiences of applying meditation and visualization as an alternative mental health strategy. Findings indicated that participants realized a reduction of their distressing symptoms in a number of ways: a broadened perspective, the ability to reject adverse self-talk, increased awareness and feelings of tranquility, joy, and self-acceptance, an increased belief in the capacity to achieve goals, and enhanced contemplation on and motivation to fulfill those goals. The collage method was well suited to the experiential MM.