| Participants were asked to sit still with their eyes closed and focus their attention on the sensations of their breath. Whenever theynoticed that their attention wandered off from their breath they were asked to observe the object of their attentionin the present moment, whether it is a thought, an emotion or a sensation, without judgmentor reaction, and then bring their attention gently back to the breath. |
Breathing meditation |
| Participants were asked to sit still with their eyes closed and focus their attention on bodily sensations in different parts of their body, according to the given instructions. When they noticed that their attention had wandered off from the sensations in the specifiedbody part they were asked to observe the object of their attention in the present moment without judgment or reaction, and thenbring their attention gently back to the sensation in the specified body part. |
Body scan meditation |
| Participants were asked to sit still with their eyes closed and focus their attention on different qualities of the present moment,for example, sounds, smells, body sensations and the breath. When they noticed that their attention had wandered off from thepresent they were asked to observe the object of their attention without judgment or reaction, and then bring their attentiongently back to the present moment. |
Open awareness meditation |
| Participants were asked to sit still with their eyes closed and think of someone they care about. Participants were then asked to wishthat this person will be free from suffering, distress or loss, and will experience joy, peace and love. Participants were asked to dothe same for someone they did not know well, for someone with whom they have a conflict, and for themselves. |
Compassion meditation |
| Participants were asked to walk slowly and silently, and notice the different segments and sensations of walking. When they noticedthat their attention had wandered off from walking, they are asked to stand still and notice where their attention is at thepresent moment, without judgment or reaction and then bring their attention gently back to the present momentand resume the walking. |
Walking meditation |
