From concept to instrument: The development and validation of the buddhist meditation experience questionnaire

In Sri Lanka, Buddhist meditation holds a significant cultural, spiritual, and historical importance. Despite the long tradition and widespread practice of meditation in the country, there has been a lack of formal, scientifically validated tools to measure and study the impacts and experiences of Buddhist meditation in a structured way. Buddhist Meditation Experience Questionnaire (BMEQ) presented through this paper addresses this void. The BMEQ development process involved an extensive review of extant literature, expert consultations, and the formulation of a set of items that addressed key aspects of meditation practice such as duration of meditation practice, regularity of meditation practice, meditation techniquesand positive lifestyle habaits (PLH) that could be cultivated through meditation practice. . The questionnaire was created using both closed-ended and open-ended questions to capture a wide range of experiences, from measurable outcomes to subjective insights. To ensure the validity and relevance of the tool, a panel of experts reviewed the questionnaire (2-rounds Delphi process), enabling a judgmental validation approach. The validated version was then piloted with 30 skilled meditators. The final version of BMEQ consisted with 4 sections. Internal consistency of the fourth section (about PLH) of the final version of BMEQ was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha (Cα). The final BMEQ included 20 major items, with 22 closed-end items in Section 4. At the conclusion of the second round of the Delphi process, the ratings for all items, except for one item, fell within the 7 to 9 range. The overall Cronbach’s alpha was 0.70, and the mean total score for was 85.23, with a standard deviation (SD) of 7.38. The BMEQ is not merely an academic tool but a catalyst for furthering the integration of meditation practices into modern research, health systems, and societal frameworks, ultimately enhancing both individual and collective well-being.