The idea of oneness – believing that we are connected can have important mental health implications.    In May 2019, StudyFinds.org published an article about the findings of Laura Marie Edinger-Schons, Ph.D., of the University of Mannheim.  Dr. Edinger-Schons conducted two surveys in Germany and the results were published in the journal Psychology of Religion and Spirituality.  In the first study, 7,000 participants were asked questions about things in the world being based on common principles, connected and interdependent.  She indicates that subjects who had higher levels of “oneness” had more life satisfaction.  In the second study she surveyed 67,000 people from various religious backgrounds (Buddhists, Catholic, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Protestants and Atheists).  She found that levels of oneness tended to vary depending on religion and that oneness was a greater predictor of satisfaction than religious beliefs.

According to StudyFinds.org various concepts related to ‘oneness’ were considered in the research.  The ideas were things like connectedness, empathy and life satisfaction.  The study asked questions like – “I believe that everything in the world is based on a common principle,” or “Everything in the world is interdependent and influenced by each other.”

Dr. Edinger-Schons mentions that activities like yoga, meditation or sports can increase one’s sense of oneness.  She says that oneness can increase people’s life satisfaction more than religion alone.

After reading the article, I started to consider the idea of ‘oneness’.  Yoga and meditation teach us to be present, patient and consistent.  As we focus on our thoughts or various yoga poses we become in tune with our bodies and thoughts.  These arts also provide the practitioner with  a sense of gratitude, balance and otherness.

Sports and teamwork also provide us with many positive experiences.  Teams have the opportunity to learn to work together in order to play better.  Players become committed to a group goal, learn empathy for others, and the importance of sacrificing for the benefit of the group.

Another area of working together is service.  Volunteer work and providing service to others can help us get out of ourselves and connect with others.  It makes sense to me that people who consider others and not just themselves are happier.

Feeling connected with others can help us with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

For more information about this topic please contact Dr. Steven Chen.