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The present study is designed to compare two different types of meditations i-e Mindfulness meditation (MBSRP) and Sufi meditation(SM) in the treatment of neurotic anxiety among the female population, comprised of 200 participants upon whom Hamilton Anxiety Scale was administered. Based on their scores on HAS two groups of subjects each comprising of 50 subjects with high anxiety and 50 with low anxiety scores (N=100) were retained in the final study. Each group was further bifurcated resulting into four subgroups wherein, 25 (n=25) subjects derived from the high anxiety group (n=50) were randomly assigned to SM while remaining 25(n=25) subjects having high anxiety randomly assigned to MM group. The same procedure was adopted with low anxiety group. After completing the prescribed meditation Pre and Posttest measures on HAS for both groups were analyzed statistically through SPSS. The results show that MM group has higher mean on HAS as compared to SM group. The mean difference is 18.88 which is statistically significant at p< .001. Results accordingly depict SM as more effective in lowering anxiety, apparently because it matches the belief system of the Muslim population, providing a new avenue for future research.
Keywords: mindfulness, sufi meditation, muraqaba, neurotic anxiety.
Humans have always been involved in a quest to know themselves, the world around them, and the very reason for their existence. Despite the progress made in understanding the very nature of the self, many questions still remain unresolved. Some aspects of this problem may be resolved through spirituality. Spirituality whether or not associated with a particular religion has been practiced since ages thus offering answers to the "unsolved questions" (Dostoyevsky, 2004). Spirituality can be derived from various techniques one of which is meditation.
Research studies report that spiritual well-being and high levels of spirituality were associated with mental health, lower levels of anxiety and positive personality characteristics (Tloczynski, et al., 1997).
The treatment of mental disorders includes various forms of psychotherapy, psychiatric medication, and other practices. One of these forms of treatment approaches is called "Meditation" (National Institute of Mental Health, 2006).
Meditation, regardless of type, is helpful in reducing depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. Meditation also enhances mental well-being hence causing positive effects on the psychological and physiological health of an individual.
Throughout...