Introduction

In recent decades, yoga and meditation have gained global recognition as complementary therapies to conventional medicine, with research highlighting their efficacy in enhancing quality of life [Chung et al., 2012]. Yoga, as an ancient discipline, integrates ethical conduct, physical postures, breath control, and deep meditation [Mohammad et al., 2019]. Although often perceived as a physical exercise, yoga’s impact extends beyond bodily health to cognitive and emotional regulation [Ross & Thomas, 2010]. Sahaja Yoga Meditation distinguishes itself through its emphasis on mental silence, allowing practitioners to cultivate heightened self-awareness and emotional intelligence factors that contribute to deconstructing ingrained gender biases [Govindaraj et al., 2016].

The societal implications of meditation extend beyond individual transformation to systemic applications in education, workplaces, and healthcare. In the United Kingdom, mental health interventions including mindfulness and meditation are significantly integrated into various policies such as public health, reflecting a shift toward holistic approaches in psychological well-being [Bennetts, 2022]. From a psychological perspective, meditation fosters cognitive flexibility, allowing individuals to challenge conditioned beliefs and unconscious biases [Rubia, 2009]. This adaptability is particularly relevant in addressing traditional gender stereotypes that dictate social behaviour and professional aspirations. The practice of mindfulness encourages self-reflection and critical thinking, essential skills in recognizing and dismantling discriminatory patterns [Jackson et al., 2022].

Sahaja Yoga Meditation (SYM) is an effective meditative practice that fosters inner balance, emotional stability, and cognitive transformation. While its benefits in psychological and physiological health are well-documented, its role in promoting gender equality remains an emerging area of interest. Gender equality, a fundamental component of the ‘United Nations Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs), necessitates social and cultural reforms, along with psychological transformations that alter perceptions and behaviours. SYM, by fostering self-awareness, emotional regulation, and stress reduction, can contribute significantly to achieving gender equity by challenging traditional norms and biases [Parris & Kates, 2003].

et al., 2021]. These attributes are critical in addressing gender disparities in leadership, education, and economic opportunities.

Additionally, studies indicate that SYM reduces cortisol levels and improves heart rate variability, leading to better emotional regulation and stress management [Pavlov et al., 2015]. These benefits directly correlate with greater self-confidence, resilience, and assertiveness, specially for women who face societal pressures and discrimination [Hendriks, 2018]. By fostering self-awareness and inner peace, SYM can empower individuals to challenge gender-based inequalities effectively.

The impact of Sahaja Yoga Meditation on gender equality extends beyond personal well-being, offering a transformative approach to societal change. By promoting thoughtless awareness, emotional intelligence, and self-regulation, SYM provides individuals with the cognitive and emotional tools necessary to challenge gender biases and advocate for equality [Manocha et al., 2011]. As gender equality remains a cornerstone of sustainable development, integrating SYM into education, workplaces, and policy frameworks could offer innovative solutions to persistent disparities. Future research should explore the intersection of SYM, neuropsychology, and gender studies to develop comprehensive interventions that support gender equity and long-term societal progress [Domingo-Echaburu et al., 2021].

Objective

The study aimed to examine the influence of Sahaja Yoga Meditation on Freedom, assess the effect of Gender on Freedom, and analyse the interaction between the nature of practice and gender concerning Freedom.

Methodology

Subjects:

A total of four hundred (N=400) participants were randomly chosen from Chhattisgarh State by using sampling technique named stratified random sampling based on gender and Sahaja Yoga practice. The sample of the present study was divided into 4 strata: male practitioners, female practitioners, male non-practitioners, and female non-practitioners, with 100 individuals chosen from each group. The participants' ages ranged from 17 to 27 years. Only those with

of 21, resulting in a range (X max. - X min.) of 11. The skewness (Sk) value of -0.64 suggests very slight skew, indicates that more participants scored toward the higher end. The kurtosis (Ku) value of -0.60 signifies that the distribution is somewhat flatter than a normal distribution.

Figure-1: Q-Q plot showing the normal distribution of “Equality” of Male Sahaja Yoga Practitioners

Figure 1 presents a Q-Q plot illustrating the normality of equality scores among male Sahaja Yoga practitioners. The data points closely follow the reference line, indicating a normal distribution with minor deviations.

Figure- 2: Q-Q plot showing the box plot of “Equality” of Male Sahaja Yoga Practitioners

Figure 2 illustrates the box plot, depicting the distribution of equality scores. The median is centrally positioned, and the interquartile range (IQR) is relatively narrow, indicating that the majority of data points are clustered and located around the median. The whiskers extend symmetrically, with no significant outliers detected.

Table- 2

Figure-4: Q-Q plot showing the box plot of “Equality” of Female Sahaja Yoga Practitioners

Figure 4 presents the box plot, indicating that the median is slightly higher compared to male practitioners, with a relatively narrow spread of scores. The whiskers extend symmetrically, and no significant outliers are observed.

Table- 3

Descriptive Measures of “Equality” of Male Non- Practitioners

Table 3 presents the descriptive statistics for equality among male non-practitioners. The mean score is 13.91, notably lower than that of male Sahaja Yoga practitioners, indicating that non-practicing males tend to perceive lower levels of equality. The standard error of the mean (SEM) is 0.43, reflecting greater variability in the sample mean. The standard deviation (SD) of 4.38 suggests a wider distribution of responses. Scores range from a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 21, yielding a range of 18. The skewness (Sk) value of -0.13 indicates near symmetry, while the kurtosis (Ku) value of -0.48 suggests a slightly flatter distribution.

Figure-5: Q-Q plot showing the normal distribution of “Equality” of Male Non- Practitioners

Figure 5 illustrates a Q-Q plot assessing the normality of equality scores among male non-practitioners. The data points exhibit some deviation from the reference line, suggesting a slight departure from normality.

Figure-7: Q-Q plot showing the normal distribution of “Equality” of Female Non- Practitioners

Figure 7 displays a Q-Q plot assessing the normality of equality scores among female non-practitioners. Minor deviations from the reference line are observed, indicating a slight skewness in the distribution of responses.

Figure-8: Q-Q plot showing the box plot of “Equality” of Female Non- Practitioners

Figure 8 presents a box plot depicting the distribution of equality scores. The median is slightly higher than that of male non-practitioners but lower than that of female practitioners. The whiskers extend over a broad range, indicating greater variability in scores, while a few data points near the lower end suggest the presence of mild outliers.

Analysis of Data Related to “Equality”

Table-5

Two-Way Analysis of Variance Results of “Equality”

(To compare Equality between Two groups (Practitioners of Sahaja Yoga and Non-Practitioners), between Gers (males and Females and their interaction)

the absence of a significant interaction between group and gender indicates that the effect of Sahaja Yoga on equality perceptions remains consistent across both genders.

Discussion of Findings

The findings of present study suggest that Sahaja Yoga Meditation (SYM) significantly contributes to enhancing perceptions of gender equality. Statistical analysis revealed that practitioners of SYM reported higher levels of perceived equality compared to non-practitioners, aligning with previously conducted research that highlights the role of meditation in fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation (Manocha et al., 2011). These psychological attributes play a significant role in challenging deeply ingrained societal biases and fostering more egalitarian attitudes (Parris & Kates, 2003).

The main finding of present study was the significant effect of gender on equality perception. Female participants reported higher equality scores in comparison to their male counterparts, irrespective of their meditation practice. This aligns with earlier conducted studies indicating that women, due to historical social constraints, often benefit more from meditation in terms of self-confidence, emotional regulation, and assertiveness (Pavlov et al., 2015). Meditation enhances these qualities by improving self-reflection and stress management, which are crucial in navigating gender disparities (Hendriks, 2018).

Although both gender and meditation practice independently influenced perceptions of equality, their interaction effect (SYM & Genders) was not statistically significant. This suggests that while SYM fosters equality perception across genders, its impact remains consistent for both genders (male and female). This finding supports the notion that meditation enhances fundamental cognitive and emotional processes that transcend gender-based differences (Perez-Diaz et al., 2023). However, cultural and environmental factors may still moderate the extent to which individuals internalize gender-equal attitudes (Domingo-Echaburu et al., 2021).

The neurophysiological impact of SYM on gender equality perception can be attributed to its activation of chakras associated with communication, perception, and emotional balance.

showed a significant impact on equality perception, with practitioners scoring higher than non-practitioners. Additionally, females generally perceive higher levels of equality than males. However, the interaction effect between group and gender is not significant, meaning that the benefits of Sahaja Yoga practice on equality are experienced similarly by both males and females. Findings of this study suggest that incorporating meditation practices like Sahaja Yoga may contribute to enhancing the perception of equality, supporting sustainable development in relation to gender balance and fairness.

The results of present study underscore the significant role of the practice of Sahaja Yoga Meditation in enhancing perceptions of gender equality. By fostering self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and stress regulation, SYM contributes to breaking down societal biases and promoting more inclusive interactions. The findings demonstrate that meditation practitioners report higher equality scores than non-practitioners, indicating the profound impact of the practice of meditation on personal and social transformation.

Moreover, while differences of gender in equality perception were observed, with females showed higher scores than males, the benefits of SYM remained consistent across genders. Results suggests that the practice is universally effective in cultivating attitudes that align with gender equity. Given the importance of gender equality as a fundamental aspect of sustainable development, these insights highlight the potential for integrating meditation-based interventions in education, workplaces, and policymaking to foster a more equitable society.

The neurophysiological and psychological mechanisms underlying the effects of SYM on gender perceptions provide a foundation for future research. Further studies should explore the long-term impact of meditation on gender-related attitudes and behaviors across diverse populations. Additionally, incorporating SYM into broader social development programs may yield promising results in reducing gender disparities and fostering a culture of equality.

Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on meditation and social transformation, reinforcing the relevance