In sum, the present results have two crucial implications: First, our findings indicate that extended meditative training effectively improves capacities that are crucial not only for individual flourishing, but also societal functioning at large.

While executive control and attention are key predictors for educational success (Checa & Rueda, 2011), compassion and ToM contribute to adaptive social functioning and communication, prosocial behavior, and economic decision making (Goetz et al., 2010, Hein et al., 2016, Morishima et al., 2012, Weng et al., 2015). Second, the results show that the type of practice matters. 

The Presence Module [Mindfulness practices] focused on present-moment awareness improve attention, but are not efficient in enhancing socio-affective and socio-cognitive skills [which are crucial for resilience, emotional regulation and optimum biological functioning]. Present-moment and attention-based mindfulness practices as taught in the Presence Module alone did not increase compassion [which is a mechanism to decrease hormonal stress cortisol, which mindfulness failed to do]. 

The Affect Module [10-minute Dyads] led to strongest improvements in compassion—assessed as experienced feelings of care, warmth and benevolence [and compassion toward others, with a sense of connection, ("We-ness")]. [Dyads radically reduced not just felt-stress but hormonal stress, a key biomarker]. Interestingly, in addition to targeting socio-emotional and motivational processes, practices of the Affect Module also modulate attention. 

Said differently, both mindfulness and dyads improved attention. However, mindfulness failed in the key categories of compassion, connection and pro-social behaviors, including failing to lower hormonal cortisol; while Dyads ("PUUR") succeeded. Furthermore, the 300 participants favored Dyads by a wide margin.

Conclusion: 10-minute dyad meditation ("PUUR") delivers the extraordinary energy of connectedness, and tops mindfulness by a very wide margin. In addition, PUUR is the people's favorite.