{"id":518899,"date":"2024-06-24T16:10:53","date_gmt":"2024-06-24T09:10:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/?post_type=culture_heritage&#038;p=518899"},"modified":"2025-06-05T20:22:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T13:22:12","slug":"lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/","title":{"rendered":"LGBTQ+ Pride and the Power of Meditation: Insights from Buddhism and Psychology"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">\u0e2a\u0e32\u0e23\u0e1a\u0e31\u0e0d<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0a0a0a;color:#0a0a0a\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0a0a0a;color:#0a0a0a\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/#Introduction\" >\u0e1a\u0e17\u0e19\u0e33<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/#The_Duality_of_Pride_and_Shame\" >The Duality of Pride and Shame<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/#The_Buddhas_Wisdom_and_Contemporary_Perspectives\" >The Buddha\u2019s Wisdom and Contemporary Perspectives<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/#Modern_Psychology_and_LGBTQ_Well-Being\" >Modern Psychology and LGBTQ+ Well-Being<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/#Meditation_as_a_Tool_for_Boosting_Pride\" >Meditation as a Tool for Boosting Pride<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/#How_to_Meditate_for_Optimal_Results\" >How to Meditate for Optimal Results<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/#A_Take-Home_Message\" >A Take-Home Message<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/#References\" >References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span ><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-518900 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picture1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picture1.jpg 624w, https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picture1-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">(\u0e20\u0e32\u0e1e\u0e08\u0e32\u0e01 <a href=\"https:\/\/mcpin.org\/project\/uk-lgbtq-youth-mental-health-survey\/\">https:\/\/mcpin.org\/project\/uk-lgbtq-youth-mental-health-survey\/<\/a>)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction\"><\/span><span ><strong> \u0e1a\u0e17\u0e19\u0e33<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span >Living in a society that often misunderstands and stigmatizes LGBTQ+ individuals can lead to constant feelings of discomfort, embarrassment, and self-consciousness. These emotions, along with legal and societal challenges, can evolve into deeper feelings of shame, guilt, and humiliation. However, the ancient wisdom of Buddhism, combined with modern psychological insights and the transformative practice of meditation, offers a path to contentment, self-respect, and dignity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span >This article explores the intricate relationship between LGBTQ+ identity, shame, and pride, drawing from the teachings of the Buddha and contemporary psychological research. It examines the nature of these powerful emotions, provides Buddhist perspectives on sexual and gender diversity, and offers practical meditation techniques to foster self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Duality_of_Pride_and_Shame\"><\/span><span ><strong> The Duality of Pride and Shame<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span >Pride and shame are emotions that profoundly shape our self-perception and relationships. For LGBTQ+ individuals, navigating these feelings presents unique challenges due to societal biases and misunderstandings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span ><strong>Pride<\/strong> is a feeling of pleasure and gratification derived from one&#8217;s achievements, qualities, or identity. For the LGBTQ+ community, pride is a rallying cry for embracing one&#8217;s sexual orientation or gender identity with self-respect and dignity. It manifests in openness about one&#8217;s identity, active participation in LGBTQ+ communities, standing up against discrimination, and mentoring others. Pride fosters self-esteem, confidence, and resilience, leading to triumph over adversity, self-acceptance, and authentic living.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span ><strong>Shame<\/strong>, in contrast, is a debilitating emotion characterized by a feeling of being fundamentally flawed or unworthy. LGBTQ+ individuals may experience shame due to societal stigma, discrimination, or internal struggles with their sexual orientation or gender identity. Signs of shame include persistent feelings of inadequacy, self-isolation, difficulty accepting compliments, and harsh self-criticism. Shame can lead to mental health issues, social mortification, and a sense of disgrace that prevents authentic living.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span >Increasing pride and reducing shame are crucial for the mental well-being and personal growth of LGBTQ+ individuals. Participating in Pride events, connecting with supportive communities, and learning about LGBTQ+ history can build pride. Understanding that shame does not reflect true worth and letting go of negative societal conditioning can help diminish its impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Buddhas_Wisdom_and_Contemporary_Perspectives\"><\/span><span ><strong> The Buddha\u2019s Wisdom and Contemporary Perspectives<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span >The Buddha&#8217;s teachings emphasize compassion and acceptance for all beings, judging individuals by their actions rather than their birth or physical characteristics. Although the Buddha lived in a time with limited understanding of gender identity, his teachings recognized various gender identities beyond the binary, suggesting respect for diversity. While the Buddha did not allow LGBTQ+ individuals to ordain as monks and nuns due to societal non-acceptance at that time, he did not condemn homosexuality among laypersons. This contrasts with religions that view homosexuality as sinful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span ><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-518901\" src=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picture2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picture2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picture2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picture2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picture2.jpg 1430w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px;\">(\u0e20\u0e32\u0e1e\u0e08\u0e32\u0e01 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inkl.com\/news\/influential-thai-buddhist-monk-says-lgbt-people-are-humans-and-welcomes-civil-partnership-bill\">Influential Thai Buddhist monk says &#8216;LGBT people are humans&#8217; and welcomes civil partnership bill<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span >Modern Buddhist leaders like <a href=\"http:\/\/podcast.bswa.org\/e\/buddhism-and-homosexuality-ajahn-brahmavamso\/\">Ajahn Brahm<\/a> (an Australian Buddhist monk in Thai Forest Tradition) and <a href=\"https:\/\/plumvillage.org\/articles\/homosexuality-and-discrimination\">Thich Nhat Hanh<\/a> (late Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist) advocate for full LGBTQ+ inclusion, arguing that religion should promote kindness and love, not cruelty. Ajahn Brahm supports LGBTQ+ rights, stating that discrimination based on gender or sexuality contradicts the Buddha&#8217;s teachings of non-discrimination and compassion. Thich Nhat Hanh emphasized true compassion by embracing diversity and recognizing the inherent worth of every individual.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span >Buddhism cautions against arrogant pride but encourages healthy self-worth and self-respect grounded in ethical conduct and spiritual development. The concept of &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.yogapedia.com\/definition\/7603\/metta\"><em>metta<\/em>&#8221; (loving-kindness)<\/a> towards oneself and all beings is fundamental to Buddhist practice, as the Buddha said, in Pali \u2018<em>Lokapatthambhika metta<\/em>\u2019 meaning \u201c<em>Loving-kindness acts as the support and nourishment for the world<\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span >Metta involves developing boundless feelings of unconditional love, compassion, and kindness, akin to nurturing oceans. By cultivating metta through meditation, LGBTQ+ individuals can develop self-worth, confidence, and resilience, transcending societal stigma and embracing their authentic selves.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Modern_Psychology_and_LGBTQ_Well-Being\"><\/span><span ><strong> Modern Psychology and LGBTQ+ Well-Being<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span >Modern psychology aligns with Buddhist perspectives on pride, shame, and their impacts. Clinical psychologist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bacp.co.uk\/media\/5877\/bacp-gender-sexual-relationship-diversity-gpacp001-april19.pdf\">Dr. Meg-John Barker emphasizes<\/a> the importance of embracing sexual and gender diversity for improving LGBTQ+ well-being. Studies have linked internalized negative attitudes and shame to higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span >Psychologists advocate cultivating self-compassion as an antidote to toxic shame. <a href=\"https:\/\/self-compassion.org\/\">Dr. Kristin Neff<\/a> defines self-compassion as treating oneself with kindness, recognizing shared humanity, and being mindful instead of over-identifying with negative thoughts and emotions. This aligns with the Buddhist concept of metta, promoting self-compassion to develop confidence and self-respect.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Meditation_as_a_Tool_for_Boosting_Pride\"><\/span><span ><strong> Meditation as a Tool for Boosting Pride<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span ><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-518902 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picture3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"436\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picture3.jpg 624w, https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picture3-300x210.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px;\">(\u0e20\u0e32\u0e1e\u0e08\u0e32\u0e01 <a href=\"https:\/\/hosweet.com\/product\/two-lesbian-couple-merged-drawing\/#product-gallery-666d5c475c357-1\">https:\/\/hosweet.com\/product\/two-lesbian-couple-merged-drawing\/#product-gallery-666d5c475c357-1<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span >Meditation provides a refuge for cultivating self-acceptance and emotional resilience amidst societal stigma faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Practices like mindfulness and metta (loving-kindness) help release shame-based thought patterns and develop unconditional self-love.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span >The Buddha taught that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accesstoinsight.org\/tipitaka\/mn\/mn.010.nysa.html\">mindfulness meditation<\/a> purifies beings, overcomes sorrow and lamentation, and leads to supreme happiness (<a href=\"https:\/\/encyclopediaofbuddhism.org\/wiki\/Nirvana\">Nibbana or Nirvana<\/a>). Mindfulness allows individuals to experience each moment without judgment or aversion. <a href=\"https:\/\/idss.mit.edu\/news\/sam-brinton-saves-the-world\/\">Nuclear engineer and LGBTQ+ activist Sam Brinton<\/a> shares how meditation provides peace amid the noise of living authentically. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mindfulnessmuse.com\/mindfulness-exercises\/how-to-practice-nonjudgmental-mindfulness\">Psychologist Dr. Marsha Linehan, creator of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)<\/a>, emphasizes the importance of non-judgmental mindfulness in managing emotions to reduce suffering and increase emotional regulation\u200b.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accesstoinsight.org\/tipitaka\/an\/an11\/an11.016.piya.html\">Metta meditation<\/a> cultivates boundless feelings of unconditional love, compassion, and kindness towards oneself and others. By reciting phrases of goodwill, individuals kindle feelings of warmth and acceptance. For LGBTQ+ individuals who have internalized societal oppression, nurturing self-compassion through metta can be tremendously healing. Meditation experts often describe metta as an embrace, allowing individuals to mother themselves with tenderness. This aligns with Buddhist teachings on overcoming shame and cultivating self-worth through loving-kindness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/body-scan-meditation\"><strong>Body scan<\/strong><\/a> focuses attention on bodily sensations. This increased awareness activates areas of the brain associated with bodily perception and interoception (ability to sense internal signals). Over time, this practice may enhance the ability to perceive subtle bodily sensations with a detached, non-judgmental attitude.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span ><strong>Scientific Support for Meditation&#8217;s Benefits:<\/strong> Scientific research highlights the mental health benefits of meditation for the LGBTQ+ community. A 2015 study, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s12671-015-0476-6\">Making Friends with Yourself: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study of a Mindful Self-Compassion Program for Adolescents<\/a>\u201d found that participants felt better about themselves and their lives, showing reduced depression and anxiety while becoming more mindful, compassionate, and connected to others. Another 2022 study, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC9452865\/\">Mindfulness for Reducing Minority Stress and Promoting Health Among Sexual Minority Men: Uncovering Intervention Principles and Techniques<\/a>,\u201d found that mindfulness meditation effectively reduced stress and improved mental and sexual health among LGBTQ+ individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span >These scientific findings complement Buddhist teachings, highlighting the profound impact of meditation practices on mental well-being, self-acceptance, and the ability to overcome internalized stigma and shame.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Meditate_for_Optimal_Results\"><\/span><span ><strong> How to Meditate for Optimal Results<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span >\u00a0LGBTQ+ individuals can explore various meditation <strong>techniques<\/strong>, each offering unique benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mindful.org\/how-to-practice-mindfulness\/\"><strong>Mindfulness Meditation<\/strong><\/a> (in a sitting position)<strong>:<\/strong> Sit with legs crossed, straighten the body, and focus on the breath, observing inhalations and exhalations. Bringing gentle, non-judgmental attention to the present moment creates a refuge from self-critical thoughts. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Jon_Kabat-Zinn\">Jon Kabat-Zinn<\/a>, founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, states that mindfulness&#8217;s essence lies in meeting whatever arises with non-judging awareness.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lionsroar.com\/metta-meditation-guide\/\"><strong>Loving-kindness (Metta) Meditation<\/strong><\/a><strong>:<\/strong> Deliberately cultivate compassion, first towards oneself and then extending outwards. Reciting phrases of goodwill kindles feelings of warmth and acceptance, such as \u201cMay I be safe, healthy, and happy,\u201d \u201cMay you be filled with loving-kindness,\u201d and \u201cMay all beings be peaceful and filled with joy.\u201d Meditation teacher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sharonsalzberg.com\/\">Sharon Salzberg<\/a> emphasizes remembering the kindness of others as a beautiful meditation that opens the heart.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/body-scan-meditation\"><strong>Body Scan<\/strong><\/a><strong>:<\/strong> Bring gentle curiosity to each area of the physical body, mentally scanning from the soles of the feet to the crown of the head, noticing sensations without judgment. For those experiencing body shame or gender dysphoria, the body scan can be affirming. Buddhist teacher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opencenter.org\/lama-rod-owens\/#:~:text=Lama%20Rod%20Owens%20is%20a%20Buddhist%20minister%2C%20author%2C,the%20leaders%20of%20his%20generation%20of%20Buddhist%20teachers.\">Lama Rod Owens<\/a> notes that developing an attitude of friendship towards our embodiment undoes cultural and internalized body negativity.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span >Consistency is key, with even a few minutes daily planting seeds of self-love and pride that will bloom over time. Recognize that you are already whole and worthy beneath insecure narratives, and commit to present-moment awareness and compassion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span ><strong>Duration and Frequency:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Z4a_hbW_LjQ&amp;t=92s\">Start with 5-10 minutes<\/a> of meditation daily, gradually increasing to 20-30 minutes or more. Consistency is crucial; even a few minutes of practice each day can yield significant rewards over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-518903 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picture4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"624\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picture4.jpg 624w, https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Picture4-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 16px;\">(\u0e20\u0e32\u0e1e\u0e08\u0e32\u0e01 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cryptosavvy.com\/2019\/11\/meditation-renew-brain-8-weeks.html\">https:\/\/www.cryptosavvy.com\/2019\/11\/meditation-renew-brain-8-weeks.html<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span ><strong>How Meditation Works:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4109098\/\">Mindfulness meditation enhances brain regions<\/a> responsible for emotional regulation, like the prefrontal cortex (PFC), while decreasing reactivity in the amygdala, which governs fear and shame responses. With regular practice, the PFC becomes more efficient at managing emotional responses. This improved emotional regulation helps LGBTQ+ individuals manage and diminish shame, fostering a stable and positive emotional state.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span ><a href=\"https:\/\/scholarworks.smith.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=2786&amp;context=theses\">Metta meditation generates feelings<\/a> of love, compassion, and goodwill towards oneself and others, counteracting negative emotions like shame. By accepting yourself and treating yourself with kindness, metta meditation can boost your self-esteem and create a more positive identity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span >Over time, regular practice may lead to a more positive emotional state.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canr.msu.edu\/news\/the-many-benefits-of-mindful-body-scan-meditations\">Body scanning focuses attention<\/a> on bodily sensations. This increased awareness activates areas of the brain associated with bodily perception and interoception (ability to sense internal signals). Over time, this practice may enhance the ability to perceive subtle bodily sensations with a detached, non-judgmental attitude.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span >By engaging in these practices, individuals can rewire their brains and shift emotional patterns, creating a resilient and self-compassionate inner landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"7\">\n<li>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Take-Home_Message\"><\/span><span ><strong> A Take-Home Message<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span >The journey from shame to pride is challenging but rewarding and transformative. By embracing the Buddha&#8217;s teachings of acceptance and self-compassion, understanding psychological impacts, and harnessing the power of meditation, LGBTQ+ individuals can move from humiliation to honor, dignity, and glory.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span >Remember, your sexual orientation or gender identity is not a source of shame; it is a unique and beautiful part of the human experience. Through meditation, cultivate contentment, satisfaction, and an unshakeable sense of self-esteem. As the Buddha said, &#8220;<em>You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection,<\/em>&#8221; and &#8220;<em>A well-disciplined mind does greater good than any other family members do; whereas an undisciplined mind does greater harm than any other enemies do<\/em>.&#8221; Embrace meditation as a tool to develop unconditional self-love and pride in your LGBTQ+ identity, unlocking your true potential and living authentically with courage and compassion.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"References\"><\/span><strong><span >References<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<ol>\n<li><span >Bomhard, Allan R. The Dhammapada: The Path of Dhamma. (2013). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.academia.edu\/2211090\/Bomhard_translator_The_Dhammapada_The_Path_of_the_Dhamma_2013_\">https:\/\/www.academia.edu\/2211090\/Bomhard_translator_The_Dhammapada_The_Path_of_the_Dhamma_2013_<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span >Buddhaghosacariya, Somdet Phra, (Payutto, P.A.). (2021). Buddhadhamma, The Laws of Nature and Their Benefits to Life. <a href=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Buddhadhamma.pdf\">https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Buddhadhamma.pdf<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span >Vajira\u00f1\u0101\u1e47a Mah\u0101thera, Paravahera &amp; Bomhard, Allan R.: Buddhist Meditation in Theory and Practice. (2022). <a href=\"https:\/\/www.academia.edu\/37424041\/Paravahera_Vajira%C3%B1%C4%81%E1%B9%87a_Mah%C4%81thera_and_Allan_R_Bomhard_Buddhist_Meditation_in_Theory_and_Practice_corrected_October_2022_\">https:\/\/www.academia.edu\/37424041\/Paravahera_Vajira%C3%B1%C4%81%E1%B9%87a_Mah%C4%81thera_and_Allan_R_Bomhard_Buddhist_Meditation_in_Theory_and_Practice_corrected_October_2022_<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span >Perspective on Satipatthana. Windhorse Publications, e-book. (2013).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span >Keng, S.-L., &amp; Liew, K. W. L. (2017). Trait mindfulness and self-compassion as moderators of the association between gender nonconformity and psychological health.\u00a0<em>Mindfulness, 8<\/em>(3), 615\u2013626.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/psycnet.apa.org\/doi\/10.1007\/s12671-016-0639-0\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s12671-016-0639-0<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span >Austin, A., Craig, S. L., Navega, N., &amp; McInroy, L. B. (2020). It\u2019s my safe space: The life-saving role of the internet in the lives of transgender and gender diverse youth. International Journal of Transgender Health, 21(1), 33\u201344.\u00a0<\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/15532739.2019.1700202\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/15532739.2019.1700202<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol start=\"7\">\n<li><span >Harvey, P. (2000). &#8220;An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics: Foundations, Values and Issues.&#8221; Cambridge University Press. <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/introductiontobu0000harv\">https:\/\/archive.org\/details\/introductiontobu0000harv<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span >Fredrickson, B. L., Cohn, M. A., Coffey, K. A., Pek, J., &amp; Finkel, S. M. (2008). Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources.\u00a0Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95(5), 1045\u20131062.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/psycnet.apa.org\/doi\/10.1037\/a0013262\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/a0013262<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span >Davidson, R. J., &amp; McEwen, B. S. (2012). Social influences on neuroplasticity: Stress and interventions to promote well-being. Nature Neuroscience, 15(5), 689\u2013695.<\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/psycnet.apa.org\/doi\/10.1038\/nn.3093\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/nn.3093<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol start=\"10\">\n<li><span >Holzel, B. K., Lazar, S. W., Gard, T., Schuman-Olivier, Z., Vago, D. R., &amp; Ott, U. (2011). How does mindfulness meditation work? Proposing mechanisms of action from a conceptual and neural perspective. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 6(6), 537-559. <a href=\"https:\/\/psycnet.apa.org\/record\/2011-23963-003\">https:\/\/psycnet.apa.org\/record\/2011-23963-003<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span >Gilbert, P., &amp; Procter, S. (2006). Compassionate mind training for people with high shame and self-criticism: Overview and pilot study of a group therapy approach. Clinical Psychology &amp; Psychotherapy: An International Journal of Theory &amp; Practice, 13(6), 353-379. <a href=\"https:\/\/psycnet.apa.org\/record\/2007-01345-001\">https:\/\/psycnet.apa.org\/record\/2007-01345-001<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span ><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-518370 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/\u0e1c\u0e2d.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"165\" height=\"201\" \/>Author: Paitoon Songkaeo, Ph.D<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span >\u0e14\u0e23. \u0e44\u0e1e\u0e11\u0e39\u0e23\u0e22\u0e4c \u0e2a\u0e07\u0e41\u0e01\u0e49\u0e27 \u0e2d\u0e14\u0e35\u0e15\u0e40\u0e1b\u0e47\u0e19\u0e1e\u0e23\u0e30\u0e20\u0e34\u0e01\u0e29\u0e38 \u0e01\u0e48\u0e2d\u0e19\u0e40\u0e02\u0e49\u0e32\u0e23\u0e31\u0e1a\u0e23\u0e32\u0e0a\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e40\u0e1b\u0e47\u0e19\u0e19\u0e31\u0e01\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e17\u0e39\u0e15\u0e43\u0e19\u0e40\u0e27\u0e25\u0e32\u0e15\u0e48\u0e2d\u0e21\u0e32 \u0e1b\u0e31\u0e08\u0e08\u0e38\u0e1a\u0e31\u0e19\u0e14\u0e33\u0e23\u0e07\u0e15\u0e33\u0e41\u0e2b\u0e19\u0e48\u0e07\u0e1c\u0e39\u0e49\u0e2d\u0e33\u0e19\u0e27\u0e22\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e1a\u0e23\u0e34\u0e2b\u0e32\u0e23\u0e21\u0e39\u0e25\u0e19\u0e34\u0e18\u0e34\u0e44\u0e17\u0e22  \u0e17\u0e48\u0e32\u0e19\u0e40\u0e04\u0e22\u0e1a\u0e27\u0e0a\u0e40\u0e23\u0e35\u0e22\u0e19\u0e43\u0e19\u0e1a\u0e27\u0e23\u0e1e\u0e38\u0e17\u0e18\u0e28\u0e32\u0e2a\u0e19\u0e32\u0e21\u0e32\u0e22\u0e32\u0e27\u0e19\u0e32\u0e19\u0e16\u0e36\u0e07 16 \u0e1b\u0e35 \u0e01\u0e48\u0e2d\u0e19\u0e08\u0e30\u0e40\u0e02\u0e49\u0e32\u0e23\u0e31\u0e1a\u0e23\u0e32\u0e0a\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e17\u0e35\u0e48\u0e01\u0e23\u0e30\u0e17\u0e23\u0e27\u0e07\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e15\u0e48\u0e32\u0e07\u0e1b\u0e23\u0e30\u0e40\u0e17\u0e28 \u0e41\u0e25\u0e30\u0e40\u0e01\u0e29\u0e35\u0e22\u0e13\u0e2d\u0e32\u0e22\u0e38\u0e23\u0e32\u0e0a\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e43\u0e19\u0e15\u0e33\u0e41\u0e2b\u0e19\u0e48\u0e07\u0e01\u0e07\u0e2a\u0e38\u0e25\u0e43\u0e2b\u0e0d\u0e48 \u0e13 \u0e40\u0e21\u0e37\u0e2d\u0e07\u0e42\u0e01\u0e15\u0e32\u0e1a\u0e32\u0e23\u0e39 \u0e1b\u0e23\u0e30\u0e40\u0e17\u0e28\u0e21\u0e32\u0e40\u0e25\u0e40\u0e0b\u0e35\u0e22 \u0e40\u0e21\u0e37\u0e48\u0e2d\u0e1b\u0e35 \u0e1e.\u0e28. 2560 \u0e19\u0e2d\u0e01\u0e08\u0e32\u0e01\u0e19\u0e35\u0e49 \u0e40\u0e02\u0e32\u0e22\u0e31\u0e07\u0e40\u0e1b\u0e47\u0e19\u0e1c\u0e39\u0e49\u0e40\u0e02\u0e35\u0e22\u0e19\u0e1a\u0e17\u0e04\u0e27\u0e32\u0e21\u0e1b\u0e23\u0e30\u0e08\u0e33\u0e43\u0e19\u0e14\u0e49\u0e32\u0e19\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/category\/spiritual-values-and-meditation\/\">\u0e2a\u0e34\u0e48\u0e07\u0e22\u0e36\u0e14\u0e40\u0e2b\u0e19\u0e35\u0e48\u0e22\u0e27\u0e17\u0e32\u0e07\u0e08\u0e34\u0e15\u0e43\u0e08\u0e41\u0e25\u0e30\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e17\u0e33\u0e2a\u0e21\u0e32\u0e18\u0e34<\/a>\u00a0\u200e<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span ><strong>Uploaded on June 24, 2024<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; (Photo credit: https:\/\/mcpin.org\/project\/uk-lgbtq-youth-mental-health-survey\/) &nbsp; Introduction Living in a society that often misunderstands and stigmatizes LGBTQ+ individuals can lead to constant feelings of discomfort, embarrassment, and self-consciousness. These emotions, along with legal and societal challenges, can evolve into deeper feelings of shame, guilt, and humiliation. However, the ancient wisdom of Buddhism, combined with modern psychological [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":518912,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[194,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-518899","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-spiritual-values","category-spiritual-values-and-meditation"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>LGBTQ+ Pride and the Power of Meditation: Insights from Buddhism and Psychology - Thailand Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"th_TH\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"LGBTQ+ Pride and the Power of Meditation: Insights from Buddhism and Psychology - Thailand Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"&nbsp; (Photo credit: https:\/\/mcpin.org\/project\/uk-lgbtq-youth-mental-health-survey\/) &nbsp; Introduction Living in a society that often misunderstands and stigmatizes LGBTQ+ individuals can lead to constant feelings of discomfort, embarrassment, and self-consciousness. These emotions, along with legal and societal challenges, can evolve into deeper feelings of shame, guilt, and humiliation. However, the ancient wisdom of Buddhism, combined with modern psychological [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Thailand Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thailandfoundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-06-24T09:10:53+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-05T13:22:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e1a\u0e17\u0e04\u0e27\u0e32\u0e21-6.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Yaiprae Bunchaliew\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@foundationthai\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@foundationthai\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Yaiprae Bunchaliew\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 \u0e19\u0e32\u0e17\u0e35\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Yaiprae Bunchaliew\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9853d5058fe534dfa1d972cbabf64311\"},\"headline\":\"LGBTQ+ Pride and the Power of Meditation: Insights from Buddhism and Psychology\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-06-24T09:10:53+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-05T13:22:12+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2156,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e1a\u0e17\u0e04\u0e27\u0e32\u0e21-6.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Articles\",\"Spiritual Values &amp; Meditation\"],\"inLanguage\":\"th\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\\\/\",\"name\":\"LGBTQ+ Pride and the Power of Meditation: Insights from Buddhism and Psychology - Thailand Foundation\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e1a\u0e17\u0e04\u0e27\u0e32\u0e21-6.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-06-24T09:10:53+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-05T13:22:12+00:00\",\"inLanguage\":\"th\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"th\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e1a\u0e17\u0e04\u0e27\u0e32\u0e21-6.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e1a\u0e17\u0e04\u0e27\u0e32\u0e21-6.jpg\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/\",\"name\":\"Thailand Foundation\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"th\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Thailand Foundation\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"th\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/03\\\/Logo_EN_NonBg_01.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/03\\\/Logo_EN_NonBg_01.png\",\"width\":680,\"height\":530,\"caption\":\"Thailand Foundation\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/thailandfoundation\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/foundationthai\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/thailandfoundation\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.tiktok.com\\\/@thailandfoundation\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UC68jcl0AYVQ1SF19fF9iMkg\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9853d5058fe534dfa1d972cbabf64311\",\"name\":\"Yaiprae Bunchaliew\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"th\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/b05db273b0916e1a6cd34ef82ff96677193e72d3ccedc4b22e2617b17ff15a31?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/b05db273b0916e1a6cd34ef82ff96677193e72d3ccedc4b22e2617b17ff15a31?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/b05db273b0916e1a6cd34ef82ff96677193e72d3ccedc4b22e2617b17ff15a31?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Yaiprae Bunchaliew\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thailandfoundation.or.th\\\/th\\\/author\\\/yaiprae-b\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"LGBTQ+ Pride and the Power of Meditation: Insights from Buddhism and Psychology - Thailand Foundation","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/","og_locale":"th_TH","og_type":"article","og_title":"LGBTQ+ Pride and the Power of Meditation: Insights from Buddhism and Psychology - Thailand Foundation","og_description":"&nbsp; (Photo credit: https:\/\/mcpin.org\/project\/uk-lgbtq-youth-mental-health-survey\/) &nbsp; Introduction Living in a society that often misunderstands and stigmatizes LGBTQ+ individuals can lead to constant feelings of discomfort, embarrassment, and self-consciousness. These emotions, along with legal and societal challenges, can evolve into deeper feelings of shame, guilt, and humiliation. However, the ancient wisdom of Buddhism, combined with modern psychological [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/","og_site_name":"Thailand Foundation","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thailandfoundation","article_published_time":"2024-06-24T09:10:53+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-06-05T13:22:12+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e1a\u0e17\u0e04\u0e27\u0e32\u0e21-6.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Yaiprae Bunchaliew","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@foundationthai","twitter_site":"@foundationthai","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Yaiprae Bunchaliew","Est. reading time":"11 \u0e19\u0e32\u0e17\u0e35"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/"},"author":{"name":"Yaiprae Bunchaliew","@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/#\/schema\/person\/9853d5058fe534dfa1d972cbabf64311"},"headline":"LGBTQ+ Pride and the Power of Meditation: Insights from Buddhism and Psychology","datePublished":"2024-06-24T09:10:53+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-05T13:22:12+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/"},"wordCount":2156,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e1a\u0e17\u0e04\u0e27\u0e32\u0e21-6.jpg","articleSection":["Articles","Spiritual Values &amp; Meditation"],"inLanguage":"th"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/","url":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/","name":"LGBTQ+ Pride and the Power of Meditation: Insights from Buddhism and Psychology - Thailand Foundation","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e1a\u0e17\u0e04\u0e27\u0e32\u0e21-6.jpg","datePublished":"2024-06-24T09:10:53+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-05T13:22:12+00:00","inLanguage":"th","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"th","@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/lgbtq-pride-and-the-power-of-meditation-insights-from-buddhism-and-psychology\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e1a\u0e17\u0e04\u0e27\u0e32\u0e21-6.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/\u0e1b\u0e01\u0e1a\u0e17\u0e04\u0e27\u0e32\u0e21-6.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/#website","url":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/","name":"\u0e21\u0e39\u0e25\u0e19\u0e34\u0e18\u0e34\u0e44\u0e17\u0e22","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"th"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/#organization","name":"\u0e21\u0e39\u0e25\u0e19\u0e34\u0e18\u0e34\u0e44\u0e17\u0e22","url":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"th","@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Logo_EN_NonBg_01.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Logo_EN_NonBg_01.png","width":680,"height":530,"caption":"Thailand Foundation"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thailandfoundation","https:\/\/x.com\/foundationthai","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thailandfoundation","https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thailandfoundation","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC68jcl0AYVQ1SF19fF9iMkg"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/#\/schema\/person\/9853d5058fe534dfa1d972cbabf64311","name":"Yaiprae Bunchaliew","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"th","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b05db273b0916e1a6cd34ef82ff96677193e72d3ccedc4b22e2617b17ff15a31?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b05db273b0916e1a6cd34ef82ff96677193e72d3ccedc4b22e2617b17ff15a31?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b05db273b0916e1a6cd34ef82ff96677193e72d3ccedc4b22e2617b17ff15a31?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Yaiprae Bunchaliew"},"url":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/author\/yaiprae-b\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/518899","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=518899"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/518899\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/518912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=518899"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=518899"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=518899"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}