IRMA-International.org: Creator of Knowledge
Information Resources Management Association
Advancing the Concepts & Practices of Information Resources Management in Modern Organizations

Virtual Reality as a Tool for Mental Health and Conscious Living and Death: Immersive Contemplative Approaches to Existential Anxieties

Virtual Reality as a Tool for Mental Health and Conscious Living and Death: Immersive Contemplative Approaches to Existential Anxieties
View Sample PDF
Author(s): Dorote Weyers-Lucci (Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Sofia University, USA)
Copyright: 2021
Pages: 23
Source title: Research Anthology on Mental Health Stigma, Education, and Treatment
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Information Resources Management Association (USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-8544-3.ch025

Purchase


Abstract

In this chapter, the authors look at the possibilities of impact of VR in the mental health and wellness area through the lens of contemplative practices and immersive experiences. The area of existential anxieties is often stigmatized or difficult to address directly. Death is the most transformative journey possible but may not be viewed this way. Immersive experiences designed to encourage and allow for non-dual experiences can support this transition. They are difficult to design since non-dual experiences by their very nature are both deeply personal and yet totally impersonal at the same time. Yet, the authors examine how existential anxieties are the perfect framework for a non-dual experience. The wellness app StarflightVR serves as an explorative tool. We mention a past study in this area, which revealed that it is possible to mitigate depression by addressing anxiety on a daily basis through this immersive contemplative VR experience. The authors build on this study with existential fear mitigation examined through an online workshop experience and StarflightVR.

Related Content

T. S. Shwetha, Pragnya Nidugonda. © 2024. 19 pages.
Alisha Arora, Madhumita Bhattacharya. © 2024. 24 pages.
Sheeba Shamsudeen, Ritwika Nag. © 2024. 22 pages.
Michelle F. Wright. © 2024. 18 pages.
Abhishek Budiguppe Panchakshari, Girish K. Siddaraju. © 2024. 17 pages.
Susmita Halder, Madhurima Dey Sarkar. © 2024. 21 pages.
Christine E. Hagion-Rzepka. © 2024. 22 pages.
Body Bottom