TY  - JOUR
AU  - Shekhar, Vivek
AU  - O Connor, Hester
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/02/04
TI  - Transformational Spaces: An Interpretative Phenomenological Inquiry into the Lived Experience of Young People Visiting Kanha Shanti Vanam Meditation Center, Telangana, India
JO  - OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine
SP  - 007
VL  - 11
IS  - 01
AB  - The innate desire to belong and to connect is profoundly human, yet in a world of instant communication, millions of young people increasingly feel untethered and adrift. Loneliness is the 21st century's primary health care concern across all age groups. Young people not only feel lonely and emotionally isolated, but they also describe a lack of meaningful connections and purpose. Young people lack safe spaces where they can connect with their peers, without fear of judgment, prejudice, and pressure to succeed. In a qualitative study, 10 young people aged 18-27 years were interviewed to understand their experiences of participating in a 3-day retreat at the world headquarters of Heartfulness Meditation, Kanha Shanti Vanam, in Telangana, India. Participants described profound experiences which were analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Many of the participants narrated stories of loss, depression, and disappointment in the years before the retreat. The feeling of being in a safe and nurturing space offered new perspectives and possibilities. The themes of “container”, “belonging”, and “transformative experiences” emerged as overarching themes in the Youth Unite study. The places where young people would traditionally be expected to express themselves freely without fear or prejudice are very few and far between. When they are offered the opportunity to come together without pressure to perform, invited to connect within their own hearts, and to connect with others in a serene and nurturing environment, they report finding meaning and spiritual connection. The 10 young people in the study were deeply impacted by the spiritual environment of the meditation center and expressed awareness of the importance of nature, people, and even a grain of rice. Such experiences suggest that offering safe spiritual spaces might help young people embark on profound inward adventures.
SN  - 2573-4393
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2601007
DO  - 10.21926/obm.icm.2601007
ID  - Shekhar2026
ER  -