Happiness and Self as Social Constructs- an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Buddhist Practitioners Transcendence

Abstract

The paper explores the role of Buddhist Practices like meditation and chanting in causing personal transcendence and, through the journey of personal transformation, analyses the development of key resilient competencies and spiritual intelligence in individuals. The study's theoretical framework is Albert Ellis's Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy because it helps provide a comprehensive and multicultural viewpoint. The study is qualitative. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, and the method of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was employed to understand the participants' experiences. Using an inductive approach, three themes were generated, leading to discussion and conclusion. The study is significant because the findings can contribute to building a theory of individual resilience.