Yale University

There have been many studies on the positive psychological effects of religious gatherings and pilgrimages, which have been found to create intense social bonds ...

“We’ve long known that festivals, pilgrimages, and ceremonies make people feel more bonded with their own group,” said Dr. Daniel Yudkin, first author of the research paper. Those who agreed to participate were asked about their experiences at the events along with their willingness to share resources with friends and strangers. They found that people who reported transformative experiences felt more connected with all of humanity and were more willing to help distant strangers.