Page No 140-149
Aayushi Soral
Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Harshita Maheshwari
Rabindrik Psychotherapy Research Institute Trust, Kolkata
Young adults should acquire cognitive flexibility in a fast-paced world- to be able to
change their mindset and behaviour on a dime. Spiritual transcendence is the feeling of
intense interest in connection to something bigger than oneself, and it may involve
cognitive flexibility, facilitating openness and broadening perspectives. The present
study was based on investigating the connection between spiritual transcendence and
cognitive flexibility in a sample of young adults, as well as to attempt to find how subdimensions
of transcendence, namely prayer fulfillment, connectedness, and universality,
are connected with two fundamental aspects of cognitive flexibility, which are alternative
thinking and control. Further research aimed to investigate the differences in spiritual
transcendence and cognitive flexibility between individuals who practice meditation or
other spiritual practices and those who do not, and to determine whether meditation
moderates the relationship between spiritual transcendence and cognitive flexibility. A
total of 115 participants aged 18–35 completed an online survey that included the
Spiritual Transcendence Scale (STS) and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory. Statistical
methods, including correlation, regression, and moderation analyses, were employed
to evaluate the associations and potential effects of practices such as mindfulness,
Vipassana, yoga, and transcendental meditation. The results demonstrated a slight
positive link between spiritual transcendence and cognitive flexibility, with prayer fulfilment
having the highest correlation. Meditation practitioners demonstrated considerably higher
spiritual transcendence but no difference in cognitive flexibility from non-practitioners.
No significant moderation impact was detected; however, a marginal mediation effect
suggested that meditation may play a limited role in connecting spiritual transcendence
and cognitive flexibility. Future studies should investigate various meditation approaches,
long-term effects, and other cognitive and environmental variables