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Studying effects of sacred moments on people’s lives could serve to add understanding and knowledge for practical ways to increase well-being while providing a possible therapeutic alternative to treating stress. A serious need exists for programs that promote well-being in both psychologically healthy and unhealthy individuals. It is important to understand whether aspects of sacred moments can be cultivated as a therapeutic intervention and consequently whether their cultivation can contribute to a reduction in rising medical costs associated with stress. Current research is quick to point out that rising amount of stress in western society is due to increasing complexity of responsibilities and events (i.e., 9/11). Stress is a precursor to anxiety, and approximately 19 million Americans are afflicted with some type of anxiety disorder today. Furthermore, disorders such as anxiety critically impact quality of life and well-being. Although current research is working towards discovering factors that influence well-being, there is still a pattern of sidestepping qualities of sacred moments in reference to mental health and well-being. With field’s persistent emphasis on techniques toward mental health that do not explicitly involve sacred and transcendent, it seems critical to continue to tap this area for its value to psychology.
Psychology is becoming more interested in those moments that transcend and include ego, are non-ordinary, and are personal. Arthur Hastings, a leading Transpersonal Psychologist points out: "These experiences are usually defined as going beyond ordinary sense of identity or personality to encompass wider dimensions of psyche and cosmos. This can include experiences of intense love, enhanced perception, a sense of merging into a more comprehensive identity, spiritual and religious experiences, psychic awareness. . . . Other definitions suggest that transpersonal means optimal health and well-being, holistic development of self and psychology of transformation."
Both sacred moments and well-being are suggested in Hasting’s description of transpersonal psychology. A study of sacred moments could aspire to bring transpersonal psychology out into mainstream of psychology and bring mainstream thought into transpersonal realm.
1. What effects does cultivation of sacred moments have on subjective well-being, psychological well-being, and stress.
2. What are participants’ experiences of having sacred moments? What helps cultivation of these moments and what hinders cultivation of these moments in daily life? The recent surge of interest in well-being has brought a serious need for interventive strategies.
*** There is currently a study that is about to begin that explores affects on sacred moments on daily life.
IF you are interested in learning how to potentially cultivate more of these moments in your life, please check out
Elisha Goldstein is a 4th year doctoral student at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto. He is currently exploring how the cultivation of sacred moments in daily life affects well-being and stress. If you would consider participating in this invaluable study, please go to http://sacredmomentstudy.blogspot.com You can also check out http://mindfulmoments.blogspot.com