Meditation and mindfulness practices have long been used in many religious and spiritual traditions as a means of connecting with the divine or transcendent. For example, Buddhist meditation practices aim to cultivate mindfulness and awareness in order to develop greater wisdom and compassion. Christian contemplative practices, such as Centering Prayer, involve stillness and silence in order to open oneself to the presence of God. Islamic Sufi mystics use various forms of meditation to cultivate deeper connection with Allah. And Hindu yogic practices incorporate meditation as a means of achieving enlightenment and union with the divine. 

Research on the spiritual benefits of meditation and mindfulness practices is less common than research on the mental and physical benefits. However, there is some evidence that these practices can provide a sense of spiritual connectedness and groundedness. For example, a study published in the journal Psychology of Religion and Spirituality found that individuals who meditated regularly reported greater feelings of spiritual well-being than those who did not meditate (1). Another study published in the Journal of Transpersonal Psychology found that mindfulness practices can enhance spiritual development by increasing self-awareness, reducing negative emotions, and cultivating positive qualities such as gratitude and compassion (2). 

There is a growing body of research that suggests that meditation and mindfulness practices can have significant mental health benefits. These practices have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, and improve overall mood and well-being. Those of us with substance use disorder or addiction more generally, have found the practice incredibly helpful in overcoming obsessive thoughts. Finding peace amidst chaotic thinking and establishing practices of equilibrium. 

A meta-analysis of 47 studies published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindfulness meditation programs showed small to moderate improvements in anxiety, depression, and pain compared to control groups (3). Another study published in the journal Psychiatry Research found that mindfulness meditation was effective in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans (4).
Meditation and mindfulness practices have also been shown to improve emotional regulation skills, such as the ability to manage one's own emotions and respond to others' emotions appropriately. A study published in the journal Emotion found that individuals who engaged in an eight-week mindfulness meditation program showed greater emotional regulation skills compared to those who did not (5).

From a cognitive perspective, meditation and mindfulness practices can help individuals cultivate greater focus, attention, and mental clarity. By practicing mindfulness, individuals can learn to identify and disengage from unhelpful or negative thought patterns, which can lead to greater cognitive flexibility and problem-solving abilities. Much of our struggles in addiction come from distorted thinking and blind-spots. The practice of meditation provides us with opportunities to gain control over our thinking processes, our stories and our beliefs in order for us to live our lives more fully and more intentionally.

One of the main tools required for building a resilient character and good habits is the capacity to reflect, remember and adjust thought patterns and their impacts on our behaviour and our thinking.

A study published in the journal Psychological Science found that mindfulness meditation can improve working memory capacity, a key cognitive skill necessary for maintaining focus and completing complex tasks (6). Another study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that mindfulness meditation can increase the density of gray matter in brain regions associated with attention and emotional regulation (7).

In addition to mental health benefits, meditation and mindfulness practices have been shown to have numerous physical health benefits as well. Regular meditation practice has been linked to reduced blood pressure, improved sleep quality, and boosted immune function. As complex creatures we are more than the sum of our various parts. Our spiritual, mental and physical wellness are all interdependent. Thus, ensuring that our bodies are in good shape is just as important as our thinking and our feeling.

For example, a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindfulness meditation programs were associated with small but significant reductions in blood pressure (8). Another study published in the journal Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences found that mindfulness-based interventions can improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia symptoms (9).

Meditation and mindfulness practices have also been shown to boost immune function by reducing stress and promoting relaxation. A study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found that mindfulness meditation reduced the inflammatory response to stress in individuals who practiced regularly (10).

The societal view emphasizes the positive impact that meditation and mindfulness practices can have on larger communities and society as a whole. Research has shown that meditation and mindfulness practices can promote more pro-social behavior and empathy towards others, leading to more harmonious and cooperative communities (11).

In addition, some studies have found that meditation and mindfulness practices can reduce aggression and violence in society (12). This may be due to the increased emotional regulation and self-control that often come with regular practice.

There is also evidence that meditation and mindfulness practices can have a positive impact on social and environmental issues. For example, a study found that a group meditation practice was associated with a significant reduction in crime rates in Washington D.C. (13). Another study found that a mindfulness-based intervention helped to reduce household water consumption (14).

Furthermore, meditation and mindfulness practices have been used in conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts. For example, the Search Inside Yourself program, developed by Google engineer Chade-Meng Tan, has been used in peace negotiations in Colombia and Afghanistan (15).

Overall, the societal view emphasizes the potential for meditation and mindfulness practices to not only benefit individuals, but also promote greater well-being and harmony within larger communities and society as a whole. As recovery is a community-based effort and the success of recovery depends on the unity, strength and resilience of the community, meditation and mindfulness practices appear useful at all levels and on all views.