The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), through Prof. Dra. Kwartarini Wahyu Yuniarti, M.Med.Sc., Ph.D., Psikolog, has received a research grant from the Maharishi Global Raam Raj Foundation (YMGGR) to conduct a collaborative study on Transcendental Meditation (TM). This partnership was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between both parties on June 23, 2025.
The research aims to examine the benefits and cultural compatibility of Transcendental Meditation within Indonesian school settings, with Yogyakarta as the initial research site. The project will also explore the potential of TM to support character development, well-being, and personal growth among young students.
Prof. Kwartarini, as Head of the Transpersonal Psychology and Clinical Hypnosis Research Group, will lead and coordinate all research activities. The UGM team is responsible for data collection, processing, and analysis, as well as preparing scientific reports and manuscripts on TM for personal development and brain studies using EEG. The research outcomes will also be developed into a standardized TM implementation module for young scholars and disseminated through various channels, including integration into the Master’s Program in Psychology at UGM.
YMGGR will provide full financial support for this research, with a total grant of USD 12,450 disbursed over 12 months. A significant portion of the funding will be allocated for research facility upgrades, including the procurement of three new EEG machines, which will be co-owned by UGM and YMGGR.
This collaboration is expected to strengthen the development of transpersonal psychology at UGM, expand international research networks, and make a meaningful contribution to education and mental health in Indonesia.
Writer: Raden Roro Anisa Anggi Dinda