Between stimulus and response, there is a space.

In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response.

In our response lies our growth and our happiness.

Quoted by Stephen Covey

Vipassana meditation is currently encouraged by some State governments and Public Sector Undertakings with positive results. Prison systems in India and abroad are offering Vipassana courses to their inmates and report a significant increase in hope, well-being, self control and compassion as well as a significant decrease of neurosis, hostility and feelings of helplessness in those practising Vipassana. Even healing professionals such as Allopaths, Psychiatrists Naturopaths, Homeopaths, Vaidyas, Yoga Therapists, and Counselors are encouraging Vipassana as it is free from dogma, experientially-based, result-oriented, and focused on the relief of human suffering.

The main objective of this multi-method study was to investigate the impact of Vipassana on the personal and professional lives of government officials, The secondary objective was to obtain the opinion of government officials about introduction of Vipassana in government administration.

The main focus of the study was on Central and State Government officials. However, executives, managers, etc. in Public Sector Undertakings and professors, lecturers, etc. in Government Institutes of Higher & Technical Education were also included to make the study more comprehensive.

A large number of personnel, including high-ranking officials, from these sectors have been attending Vipassana courses. Morever, some state governments, public sector undertakings and local bodies are encouraging their officials and other staff to attend Vipassana courses, by granting leave, etc. Therefore, a wide coverage was undertaken throughout the country to assess the effectiveness of Vipassana. An attempt was made to investigate the changes that the subjects felt within themselves and the benefits of Vipassana that they gained in their personal and professional lives.

Four studies were conducted in 2001 and 2002 on randomly selected officers of the above-mentioned categories from a wide spectrum of ages, educational backgrounds, length of service and nature of duties. Quantitative and qualitative data was gathered and analysed.

Study I: Comparison of Vipassana Group with Non-Vipassana Group

This study was conducted using the ‘Control Group’ experimental design. The randomly selected subjects were assessed using scientifically valid psychological instruments. The independent variable was Vipassana meditation. The dependent variables were Subjective Well Being and Occupational Stress.

The objectives of this Study were: 1) to compare the Subjective Well Being and Occupational Stress levels of officials who had prior exposure to Vipassana verses those who had not attended a course; and 2) to investigate the changes felt by the subjects due to Vipassana and the benefits derived by Vipassana meditation (through the Impact of Vipassana Meditation Index).

Sample consisted of 607 personnel. The collected data was statistically analysed.

1. Assessment with Impact of Vipassana Meditation Index

Majority (98.7%) of the subjects reported significant benefits from Vipassana in various aspects of their personal and professional lives.

97% subjects reported that Vipassana is a scientific technique.

97% subjects reported that Vipassana has the capacity to reform human mind and character.

About 95% subjects reported that Vipassana has a direct role to play in improving public administration, it should be used as an instrument for Human Resource Development, and it would be in the interest of government and other organizations if their employees take Vipassana courses at regular intervals.

2. Subjective Well Being of the Experimental (Vipassana) Group was found to be significantly higher than that of the Control (Non-Vipassana) Group, showing them to be calmer, more balanced, positive and more responsible thinkers than their peers.

The One-Way Anova test showed increased benefits with regularity of practice. The Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient demonstrated that the increase of benefits is proportionate to the years of practicing the technique.

3. Occupational Stress levels of the Vipassana Group measured considerably lower than the Non-Vipassana Group, exhibiting decreased levels of stress, strain, anxiety, anger, intolerance irritation, etc.

The Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient indicated that the Occupational Stress of the meditators reduced significantly with increase in number of years of meditation.

Study II: Pre-Course and Post-Course Feedback

          This study was carried out using a ‘Before-and-After’ experimental design. The subjects were assessed using scientifically valid psychological instruments. The independent variable was Vipassana meditation. The dependent variables were Subjective Well Being and Occupational Stress. The objective of this study was to investigate whether there is any positive change in the subjects as a result of practicing Vipassana.

          Two studies were undertaken here, one measuring the benefits of regular meditation one month after taking the initial Vipassana course (147 randomly-selected subjects), and the other measuring the benefits after six (five/four/three/ in some cases) months (119 randomly-selected subjects).

1. Assessment with Impact of Vipassana Meditation Index

Majority of the subjects (average 98%) reported benefits in their personal and professional lives by practicing Vipassana. There was a positive change in their mental attitude and effectiveness.

97% of the subjects of both post-course studies (one month and six months) reported that Vipassana is a scientific technique.

95% subjects of post-course (one month) and 97% subjects of post-course (six months) reported that Vipassana has the capacity to reform human mind and character.

An average of 92% of the subjects in case of post-course (one month) and 95% of post-course (six months) reported that Vipassana has a direct role to play in improving public administration, it should be used as an instrument for Human Resource Development, and it would be in the interest of the government and other organizations if their employees take Vipassana courses at regular intervals.

99% of the subjects wanted their spouses to take a Vipassana course.

2. Subjective Well Being increased significantly both one month and six months after taking the course.

3. Occupational Stress decreased significantly both one month and six months after taking the course.

4. Impact of Vipassana Meditation Index results of Studies I, IIA and IIB were nearly identical. The following combined (averaged) results show the impact of Vipassana meditation in different aspects of their personal and professional lives:

      Potential of Vipassana based on their experience (98.8%)

      Improvement of self-awareness (98.4%)

      Application of Vipassana in government to improve the system (98.4%)

      Improved mental health by reducing anger, stress, tension, anxiety, intolerance and  irritation (98.1%)

      Improved family life and interpersonal relations (96.1%)

      Benefits in maintaining mental equilibrium and optimism even in adverse situations (97.9%)

      Improved efficiency and productivity (93.6%).

Study III: Anecdotal Evidences

Randomly selected subjects were requested to send a narrative of their experiences on the impact of Vipassana on their professional work and personal life. They were also requested to suggest various steps that could be taken to implement Vipassana in various government organizations.

This study was based on the personal, experiential testimonies of 212 randomly selected subjects. They were free to share any information in their own words that they deemed to be worthy and significant. However, they were given the following topics as suggestions:

      Effectiveness of Vipassana in improving the system

      Reducing corrupt practices

      Increasing efficiency and productivity

      Creating a healthy work environment

      Imbibing moral values

      Reducing stress and strain

      Increasing mutual cooperation and harmony among colleagues

      Bettering relations with seniors and subordinates

      Reducing physical/mental health problems.

The results were positive and substantial for significant improvement and applicability in all areas. Many subjects remarked that a particular benefit in any one area is bound to create a significant, positive impact on other areas, as well.

          Many elaborated on significant events in their life and how they were now able to handle them calmly, with confidence and a balanced mind.

A brief list of benefits realised by the respondents is as follows: increased concentration, better decision-making abilities, fewer mistakes at work, boredom eliminated, greater efficiency, more energy, better time management, more patient, harsh language eliminated, more compassion, better communication skills, diminished ego, more tolerance, less critical, more focused, reduced stress and strain, reduced mental agitation, improved physical health, less worry, less prejudice, more respectful of others, less anger, greater insight for problem-solving, improved memory and less nervousness.

Study IV: Analysis of Vipassana course forms of Government officials

The randomly selected 1232 subjects of this study had attended at least one Vipassana course. They had furnished information in the course registration forms of their subsequent Vipassana course.

78.3% reported improvements in physical health and/or mental temperament; 76.6% reported improvement in maintaining harmonious relations with others.

Many reported the following benefits:

Reduction of stress and strain, irritation, restlessness, laziness, anxiety, tension, anger, jealousy, ego, rudeness, depression, frustration, fear, greed, arrogance, impatience, aversion, craving, hatred, animosity, mental fatigue, ferocity, agitation, insecurity, nervousness, inferiority complex, shyness and confused state of mind.

Increase in positive qualities such as self-discipline, self-control, positive thinking, mutual trust, cooperation and understanding among colleagues, punctuality, brotherhood, forgiveness, self-realization, and honesty. Increase in concentration, enthusiasm, efficiency and productivity

The development of mental strength to face the crises and hardships of life.

Many reported that they are now leading happy and peaceful lives because of Vipassana.

All the studies demonstrated higher percentages of improvement in the cases of those who regularly practiced Vipassana. The longer the practice, the more were the benefits.

On scrutiny and comparision of the results of each study, several conclusions became evident:

Vipassana helps meditators to abstain from unwholesome actions and inspires them to perform wholesome actions;

Vipassana helps meditators lead happier, more peaceful and harmonious lives; and

Vipassana helps one develop a positive attitude towards life.

A majority of the subjects in Studies I, and II remarked that Vipassana is a scientific technique and has the capability of reforming the human mind and character.

An average of 94% of all Study I and II subjects felt that Vipassana has a direct role to play in improving public administration and should be used as a Human Resource Development tool. They further stated that it would be in the best interest of government organizations if the employees take Vipassana courses at regular intervals.

The respondents in Study III further emphasised these points, while many provided concrete suggestions for incorporation and implementation. A majority of them recommended that Special Leave be granted for employees to attend Vipassana courses on a regular basis. Many remarked that the effort to introduce and encourage Vipassana among its employees would provide significant, positive results in the overall effectiveness of government systems. The benefits would flow from the individual to their families, to the workplace, society and the government—to the nation as a whole.

The following is a summarised table of the results of the four studies:

SUMMARY OF RESEARCH FINDINGS