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Virtual Worlds and Well-Being: Meditating with Sanctuarium

Virtual Worlds and Well-Being: Meditating with Sanctuarium

Laura L. Downey, Maxine S. Cohen
Copyright: © 2018 |Volume: 2 |Issue: 1 |Pages: 18
ISSN: 2473-537X|EISSN: 2473-5388|EISBN13: 9781522547334|DOI: 10.4018/IJVAR.2018010102
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MLA

Downey, Laura L., and Maxine S. Cohen. "Virtual Worlds and Well-Being: Meditating with Sanctuarium." IJVAR vol.2, no.1 2018: pp.14-31. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJVAR.2018010102

APA

Downey, L. L. & Cohen, M. S. (2018). Virtual Worlds and Well-Being: Meditating with Sanctuarium. International Journal of Virtual and Augmented Reality (IJVAR), 2(1), 14-31. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJVAR.2018010102

Chicago

Downey, Laura L., and Maxine S. Cohen. "Virtual Worlds and Well-Being: Meditating with Sanctuarium," International Journal of Virtual and Augmented Reality (IJVAR) 2, no.1: 14-31. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJVAR.2018010102

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Abstract

This article describes how a growing recognition and desire exists to leverage technology in new ways to achieve increased well-being. However, designing and evaluating technology for well-being support is complex. Using an exploratory formative approach, this study created and evaluated the meditative virtual world Sanctuarium to gain a richer understanding of engagement and the human experience of technology-supported meditation. Experienced meditators with no previous use of virtual worlds interacted with Sanctuarium to perform meditation. Meditators described a positive experience and rated it as successful and engaging. Phenomenological analysis provided a rich description of the meditation experience. Participants perceived Sanctuarium as a restorative environment and described the experience as unique but also facilitative, similar to guided meditation. Participants also identified Sanctuarium as a good tool for novices. The aim of this article is to promote more well-being through innovative design and use of technology. Virtual world technology is a prime candidate for this purpose.

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