Abstract

While emotional intelligence is considered key for effective leadership, and perhaps the most vital competency for current and emerging leaders to cultivate, there appears to be uncertainty on how to develop it. This study examined how the practice of Sahaja Yoga Meditation (SYM) influences the development of emotional intelligence and contributes to the advancement of global leadership capacities, addressing a gap in the current literature. The conceptual frameworks of SYM, Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence Model, and the literature on global leadership, particularly Jeffrey Sachs’ Ages of Globalization, guided the research question. By implementing a qualitative phenomenological research approach, ten long-time SYM practitioners were interviewed using open-ended questions. The data was reviewed manually using an inductive thematic analysis to identify emerging themes and meta-themes. The results indicate that SYM practitioners engage in introspection, develop a witness state, their locus of attention shifts to include the benevolence of the whole, their journeys reveal a pursuit of the qualities associated with each chakra, and undergo a process of inner transformation.

The findings provide insights into the self-transformative effects of SYM with manifold implications involving both scholarly inquiry and practical applications. The study positions SYM as a model for change and a bridge between global leadership and contemplative practices, inviting academic exploration into the effects of mental silence. Additionally, the study also positions the integration of SYM sessions in global leadership development initiatives to enhance their effectiveness.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Emotional intelligence—Study and teaching; Leadership—Psychological aspects; Yoga—Psychological aspects; Meditation—Psychological aspects

Date of Award

2025

School Affiliation

Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Department/Program

Education

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate

Faculty Advisor

Amanda Wickramasinghe

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