This paper concerns the efficacy of meditation and relaxation in promo
ting self-actualization and changes in self-reported stress among 62 c
ollege students. Two groups were given mantra meditation and a yogic r
elaxation technique referred to as Shavasana. Pre- and posttest measur
es were taken on the Personal Orientation Inventory and the Behavioral
Relaxation Scale. Both groups showed significant increases in scores
on self-actualization; however, no diffences were found between groups
. Meditation training was associated with larger gains in scores on me
asures of systematic relaxed behavior than of the relaxation training.