Long-term systematic mindfulness meditation practice effects on self-regulation

The following article represent study results of systematic mindfulness meditation practice (six months and longer) effects on self-regulation. We supposed that long-term mindful meditation practice effects would be manifested through emotional state improvement, increase in productive reflection form and decrease in unproductive ones, and the development of self-control and self-regulation skills. The study was conducted among the participants of a three-week mindfulness meditation online training program, who have already completed 8-week course of mindfulness meditation basic techniques and have been systematically practicing for at least six months: 63 respondents (26 men and 37 women) aged 22 to 51 years. The results of respondents who are just starting to get acquainted with mindfulness meditation were used as a control sample: 53 respondents (15 men and 38 women) aged 16 to 52 years. We used mixed-method design with a quantitative basis for this study. No differences were found between two groups of experienced participants: meditating for "more than six months but less than two years" and "two years and longer". However, a comparison of experienced respondents` results with those who are just starting their journey revealed that experienced show lower scores for unproductive forms of reflection (kvazireflection and introspection), as well as higher ones - in selfcontrol and self-regulation (self-relaxation, ability to concentrate, felt sense, action orientation after failure), productive (systemic) reflection, harmony and mindfulness. Therefore, experienced in meditation respondents tend to be able to stay in continuous contact with themselves and reality (collect information, integrate it and focus only on the related to the present moment themes). They are able to rearrange their actions and reactions flexibly according to the changing environment.