Design and Evaluation of a Loving Kindness Virtual Reality Meditation Experience

Abstract

Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) is an ancient meditation technique based on generating kind intentions, compassion, and wishes of well-being towards oneself and others, while visualizing the target individual those intentions are directed to. Regular LKM practice results in more positive emotions, reduction of stress and increase in emotional processing, feelings of compassion and empathy. Here, we present our work in designing and evaluating a Virtual Reality (VR) experience aimed at supporting the LKM. Our results show that the LKM VR experience increases mindfulness, compassion, relaxation, as good as an audio meditation does. We discuss the advantages of the LKM VR experience, and future work.