The Effects of Mindfulness Practice With Tao Art (Love Peace Harmony Calligraphy and Song) on Well-being - Controlled Randomized Study
Phase: NA
Conditions: Social Connectedness, Peace of Mind, Stress
Sponsor: Sha Research Foundation

STUDY TITLE:
The Effects of Mindfulness Practice with Tao Art (“Love Peace 
Harmony” Calligraphy and Song) on Wellbeing – Controlled 
Randomized Study
PRINCIPAL RESEARCH INVESTIGATOR:
Name: Peter Hudoba, MD, FRCS
Department: Sha Research Foundation, San Francisco, California
PRINCIPAL PSYCHOLOGICAL INVESTIGATOR:
Name: Marsha Valutis, PhD
Department: Sha Research Foundation, San Francisco, California
VERSION DATE:
Version 7.2 of November 24, 2024
RELATED STUDIES: 
Mindfulness practice using Tao art (Calligraphy and Song) and drinking 
energized water in Various Illnesses– prospective follow-up study.
Effect of Tao calligraphy Meditation and Energized Water on Depression
Randomized Controlled Cross-over Study 
Phase 1

1.0
Purpose and rationale of the study:
Objectives
The goal of this study is to measure the positive effects of a unique form of mindfulness
practice that involves engaging with Tao art (tracing Tao Calligraphy of Love Peace
Harmony while listening to or singing the Tao Music or Tao Song, “Love, Peace and
Harmony”). We will study the impact of this Tao art mindfulness practice on three
aspects of well-being: Perceived Stress (PSS), the Social Connectedness Scale (SCS),
and Peace of Mind Scale (PoMS).
 
In previous studies that explored the effects of Tao art mindfulness practice on various
health conditions, participants that regularly practiced with Tao art reported a decrease
in  the  symptoms  of  their  illness  (as  perceived  subjectively),  an  improvement  in
laboratory results or other tests, observed signs of progress as reported by the treating
clinician,  and  an  increase  in  well-being  as  measured  by  standardized  scientific
questionnaires. However, it should be noted that, with exception of our German study
into Depression [32], the Tao art mindfulness practices were also combined with other
Tao Technologies, such as Subtle Energy Transmissions for each subject for their
condition.
The current research aims to 1) study the effects of Tao art mindfulness practices
(tracing the Tao Calligraphy of Love Peace Harmony and chanting or listening to the
Tao  Song  and  Tao  Music,  “Love,  Peace  and  Harmony”)  without  any  other  Tao
Technologies in play and 2) expand the focus to the general (non-clinical) population,
looking at specific indices of wellbeing so that we can begin to determine how useful
Tao art mindfulness practices may be in enhancing people’s daily lives.
Hypotheses
The research null hypothesis is that individuals who will engage in daily mindfulness
practice with Tao art will report NO significant improvement of various aspects of well-
being as measured by standardized scientific questionnaires; specifically, no significant
reduction of Perceived Stress and no significant increase in Social Connectedness and
Peace of Mind.
For statistical analysis of scores obtained from questionnaires, Anova and regression
analysis will be used to evaluate the null hypothesis. The p value will represent how
unlikely the observed data would be if the null hypothesis were actually true and we
will use them to reach conclusions. We set the confidence level at 95% and if we
receive p < 0.05, then H0 is rejected. The correlation coefficient will be used to
determine any correlation between various factors (e.g. effects of age, sex, length and
frequency of mindfulness practices, and other) on outcome and regression analysis to

determine the relation of independent and dependent variables.
Background and Theoretical Framework
A large and growing body of research shows that mindfulness and meditation practices 
are beneficial to our physical and mental health and well-being [1] [2] [3]. Mindfulness 
refers to a state of awareness that arises from paying attention to the present moment, 
without judgment, whereas meditation refers to a practice or technique that can cultivate 
mindfulness, inner peace, and more. Mindfulness practices are often synonymous with 
meditation, and the terms are often used interchangeably.
Research has demonstrated the positive effects of mindfulness-based meditation on brain
function, immune system, diabetes, hypertension, fibromyalgia, cholesterol levels, blood
pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels [2]. Likewise, mindfulness and meditation 
practices have been shown to increase self-compassion and improve memory and 
emotional regulation [3]. In a comprehensive meta-analysis of 209 studies, the authors 
concluded that mindfulness-based therapy was effective for many types of psychological
problems, while being especially good for reducing anxiety, depression, and stress [4]. 
In another overall review of mindfulness-based interventions, they were found to be 
effective for many common and diverse mental, physical, and social conditions [5]. 
In recent decades, mindfulness and meditation practices and programs have become 
increasingly commonplace for stress management and reduction because they are 
effective. It’s no wonder that mindfulness-based meditation practices lead to greater 
mental, physical, and psychological well-being, with one of the key mechanisms for 
such outcomes being their effect on the regulation or reduction of stress [3] [6]. 
In recent years, there is also a growing interest in the application of the arts for public 
health and wellbeing [7]. Self-expression through art or engaging with different forms of
art has been found to be helpful for many health conditions [8], and doctors in the 
United Kingdom have started prescribing “the arts” to treat or positively influence many 
kinds of health conditions [9] [10]. 
Some forms of art are also meditative and contemplative, and many can be readily 
transformed into such a process. The mindfulness-based meditation being explored in 
this research rests in part on the benefits of music, singing or chanting, and calligraphy 
tracing (in particular, tracing a unique form of Chinese calligraphy). 
Through our own experience, we know that music can transform or uplift our mood and 
research supports this, suggesting that engagement with music plays a role in mood 
regulation [11]. Harvard Health shares how music enhances our health and performance,
claiming that music has “major effects on many aspects of health ranging from memory 
and mood to cardiovascular function and athletic performance” [12]. A recent systematic
review and meta-analysis of “music interventions” found that they are associated with 
significant clinical improvements in Health-Related Quality of Life indices (especially 

the mental components), and interestingly, they found that whether people sang, played, 
or listened to music, the results were similar [13]. A slightly earlier systematic review 
and meta-analysis of music therapy for stress reduction found overall large to medium 
large effects on stress-related outcomes. [14] Likewise, though research is limited in this
area, chanting meditations have documented effects on stress and well-being [15] [16].
Chinese calligraphic writing is a dynamic process that uses an ink-laden brush to create 
defined configurations of characters. Revered as one of the most important artforms in 
China, it has also been shown, as a mindfulness practice, to help reduce stress and 
improve mental wellbeing [17]. The practice of Chinese calligraphy writing facilitates 
the development of concentration, creativity, and relaxation, which can lead to a more 
peaceful mental state [18]. Studies in the medical field have confirmed its significant 
effects on psychosomatic conditions, post-traumatic hyper-arousal symptoms, 
hypertension, and type 2 diabetes [19] [20] [21]. Other research publications have shown
how it can improve cognitive function of the elderly [22], improve neuropsychiatric 
symptoms [23], reduce stress [17], and help children with ADHD [24]. In one case, a 
man who was in a coma for two years awakened and continued to improve after his 
medical team took his hand and helped him to trace calligraphy daily with his finger 
[25]. 
This research will explore the effects of a unique mindfulness-based meditation that 
combines tracing the Tao Calligraphy Love Peace Harmony while listening to, singing, or
chanting with the Tao Song, “Love, Peace and Harmony.” We will study its effect upon 
selected aspects of well-being.
Tao Calligraphy is based on a unique branch of Chinese calligraphy known as Yi Bi Zi, 
which applies one-stroke writing. Every character is written with one continuous stroke 
of the brush, with the brush always in contact with the paper. 
In a unique style of moving meditation, practitioners focus on a work of Tao Calligraphy
art, tracing the characters with their fingers while simultaneously listening to or 
singing/chanting (silently or aloud) the Tao Music or Song, which enables them to 
achieve deep concentration and relaxation during wakefulness.
This unique practice was developed by Dr. Zhi Gang Sha, who learned Yi Bi Zi 
Calligraphy from the Professor Li Qiuyun and connected the calligraphy writing with 
health-improving practices. 
The Tao Song, “Love, Peace and Harmony” consists of short, inspiring verses that are 
repeated, and is a beautiful way to lift and inspire peoples’ hearts and help them to 
experience peace and calm. The song was professionally recorded and is available on 
the Love Peace Harmony Foundation website as a free distribution.
The aspects of well-being we will measure are perceived stress, peace of mind, and
social connectedness. We have already discussed the value of mindfulness meditations
for reducing or regulating stress and how this appears to contribute to numerous
beneficial outcomes related to well-being. In this study we will look at the impact of the

Tao art mindfulness practice on psychological stress as measured by the Perceived
Stress Scale, which is a popular tool for measuring the degree to which situations in
one’s life are appraised as stressful [34]. 
Peace of mind is also a great asset in today’s world. The Peace of Mind Scale was
developed to capture an internal state of peacefulness and harmony that is said to be a
more valued aspect of subjective well-being in the east [35], however it has recently
begun  to  receive  attention  cross-culturally  [36]  and  has  also  been  studied  in
conjunction with calligraphy writing and stress [37]. The Tao Calligraphy tracing and Tao
Music and Song applied in this study both focus on the message of love, peace, and
harmony, which closely aligns with the Peace of Mind Scale content, in addition to the
practices general meditative value. 
Social  connectedness  is  the  experience  of  belonging  through  different  types  of
supportive relationships [38]. The Social Connectedness Scale measures the extent to
which one feels connected to others in their social environment. It is easy to imagine
how social support and connection can buffer potential negative effects of stress.
Among other things, it has been measured in studies of mindfulness involving on-line
chanting meditations [39] and in conjunction with yogic breathing and perceived stress
[40]. 
For the list of Research Presentations please refer to Appendix A.
METHOD
This study will determine the effects of mindfulness practice with Tao art (tracing the
Tao Calligraphy Love Peace Harmony and singing / listening to the Tao Song “Love,
Peace and Harmony”) for 6 months,  as measured through subjective and objective
evaluations of participants.
Design of the Study
The study will be performed as a 6-month randomized waitlist control study.
The subjects will be adults (19 years and older), that are interested in participating in
this study. They will express their interest by filling a simple expression of interest form
on www.Sharesearchfoundation.com. 
New subjects may enter the study at any time. After new subjects are admitted into the
study, they will be randomized into the practice or waitlist control group. 
The practice group will start practices at baseline time point T0 and will stop practices

after 3 months at time point T1. The waitlist control group will start practices at time
point T1 at 3 months and will stop practices after 3 months at time point T2 (at 6
months).
The study will evaluate the effects of  mindfulness practice  using these standardized
questionnaires:
. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
. Social Connectedness Scale (SCS)
. Peace of Mind Scale.
All participants will complete the set of 3 questionnaires upon entry into the study -
Baseline time point (T0); at 3-months interval (T1), and at six-months timepoint (T2).
Screenshots of online versions of questionnaires are submitted for review alongside of
the protocol.
Allocation of responsibilities:
Instruction  of  subjects on  how  to  do  mindfulness  practice  with  Tao  art  and
organization of regular weekly practices for 12 weeks will be the sole responsibility of
Love Peace Harmony Foundation.
All  Research  related  issues: Admission  to  the  study  (Screening  and  Consenting),
collection, handling, and evaluation of questionnaires and presentation of the research
results will be the sole responsibility of Sha Research Foundation.
Study Execution
The study will be performed by collecting application data from the subjects personally 
or, if applicable, remotely by email or by fax.
The research Questionnaires will be filled on line using personal ID Codes – to ensure
confidentiality.
Love Peace Harmony Foundation team will be responsible for teaching subjects the
mindfulness practice with Tao art, providing a Tao calligraphy Love Peace Harmony card
for tracing practice and offering weekly group practices. 
The practice sessions with Tao art will be done for the participants for free by Love
Peace Harmony Foundation. There will be no fees for the teaching on how to practice
nor for any other aspect of participation in the study.
Conversely, participants will receive no remuneration for participating in the study.
Data collection, data handling, and data assessment will be the responsibility of Sha
Research Foundation’s research team members who have a scientific background, and
will be performed by email and online collection. Members of the research team may
help with teaching on occasion.

Participants of the study will also be required to do mindfulness practice with Tao art
for thirty minutes every day, to record the length of practice, and responses during and
after each practice.
Sha Research Foundation will clearly inform participants that the teaching and research
teams will not be offering any medical diagnosis, guidance, evaluation, or treatment
and that participation in the study is not a replacement for any conventional allopathic
medical diagnosis or treatments. 
Subjects  in  the  study  should  continue  to  follow  their  physicians’  advice  and
recommendations during their participation in the study and should continue to receive
any and all conventional allopathic or Integrative treatments in which they have been
participating prior to entry into this study.
Participants are also encouraged to continue their usual spiritual practices in which
they have been participating prior to the study.
The study will commence in 2025 and will last for about 5 years. We plan to accept new
subjects into the study at any time from its commencement in 2025 up to June of 2030
– with expected conclusion in December of 2030.
There is no limit to the number of subjects enrolled to this study during the study years.
Subjects can withdraw from the study with no penalty at any time for whatever reasons
they may have.
2.0
Enrollment Criteria (who can be in your study and who would not be eligible to
participate in your study):
Patient Population
Inclusion criteria
- Age 19 and over
- Resident of USA or Canada
- Willingness and ability to comply with data collection requirements
-  Submission  of  required  documentation  before  entering  into  the  study,  including
informed consent and consent to release of information
- Willingness to allow their data to be used for research purposes and published as
deemed fit (while conforming to all applicable privacy laws) by Sha Research Foundation
 - Willingness to practice the daily meditations and follow the study protocol
Exclusion criteria
- Not meeting any of the inclusion criteria

- Resident of any country outside Canada or USA
- Unwillingness to participate in data gathering
- Unable to follow the practice regimen, including the daily individual mindfulness
practices for at least 30 minutes
- Pregnant or nursing. Participants who become pregnant during the study will be
required to end their participation.
- Serious mental disorders (e.g. bipolar mania-depression, schizophrenia)
-There are no exclusion criteria placed upon potential subjects related to national origin,
culture, ethnicity, race, sex, physical disability, sexual orientation, religion, or spiritual
practices.
3.0
Sample Size:
A/ Sample Size:
The study will be conducted as randomized waitlist-controlled study. It will include 
subjects who are 19 years old and over at the time of the examination, fulfilling inclusion 
criteria. We will enroll minimum of 30 subjects. There is no upper limit to the number of 
subjects enrolled into the study.
The evaluation of questionnaires will be done using SPSS program using appropriate
parametric and non-parametric tests:  For statistical analysis of scores obtained from
questionnaires we will use Anova and regression analysis; we set confidence level at
95%.
The results of the study will be published on the Sha Research Foundation website and
on the scientific meetings and journals. The audience is expected to be the healthcare,
scientific, and integrative, complementary, and alternative medicine communities.
The data and results of the study remain the intellectual property of Sha Research
Foundation.
Authorship of the data of this study will be (following ICMJE Recommendations) based 
on:
1. degree of contribution to the conception or design of the study
2. degree of creating any important intellectual content of the study
3. degree of participation on creating final report
4. an agreed role in the conduct of the study.
4.0
Recruitment and Screening Methods:
Recruitment announcement with be placed at:
Sha Research Foundation website: www.ShaResearchFoundation.com
Sha Research Foundation Twitter and Facebook
and also on Love Peace Harmony Foundation website: https://lovepeaceharmony.org/

Love Peace Harmony Twitter and Facebook
In Newspapers, magazines, and Journals
5.0
Research Locations:
The registered location of Sha Research Foundation is:
1517 North Point St., #417 San Francisco, California 94123-1711 USA
Location (Education) of this study is: 
Master Sha Tao Wellness Centre, 
1333 Kennedy Rd, Scarborough, ON M1P 2L6
6.0
Multi-site Research (research that involves external collaborating institutions 
and individuals): 
N/A
7.0
International Research (where data collection will occur outside the United 
States and U.S. territories, including online activities)
The research will take place in the U.S.A and Canada only.
8.0
Procedures Involved:
The study includes:

A personal or telephone discussion (clarification of inclusion / exclusion criteria)
                    signing of the consent /Information

Randomization into practice and waitlist control groups

instruction in the study design and practicing the Tao Calligraphy art mindfulness 
practice to practice group

first data collection questionnaires at Time point T0 – before start of mindfulness 
practice with Tao Art. This is done for both practice and control group

regular Zoom practices with practice group participants (or pre-recorded 
mindfulness practices with Love Peace Harmony coaches as a back-up)

Second data collection of the questionnaires at Time point T1 (3 months) by both 
practice and control group participants.

At this point, the practice group stops practices and the waitlist control group 
participants start practices for 3 months

Time point T2 (6 months) – again both practice and control group participants fill 
questionnaires

Completion of assessments by a Study principal co-investigator

9.0
Research with Vulnerable Populations (if children are the ONLY vulnerable 
population you plan to enroll, do NOT complete this section -- instead fill out 
Appendix A)
N/A
10.0
Incomplete Disclosure or Deception:
N/A
11.0
Consent Process: 
Trained research team member(s) will follow SRF Consent process V1 Aug 6 2024.
After obtaining the name and contact of potential participant from the PI, research team,
member will connect with the potential subjects for screening using inclusion and 
exclusion criteria of the study. This will be done either in person, over the phone, or in a 
Zoom meeting. If the consent is done by the phone-call or Zoom, signature will be issued 
on behalf of the participant by the consenting research team member and witnessed by 
a second person. Participant will be given a copy of the consent form and a study 
information letter for the participants, explaining the study in more detail.
For consent form see Main ICF.
The signed consent will be sent to and stored at Sha Research Foundation for 7 years.
12.0
Waiver of Participant Signature on Consent Form:
We would like to apply for a waiver of documentation of consent for verbal consent so 
that consent can be obtained remotely.
13.0
Waivers and Alterations of Consent Information:
N/A
14.0
Financial Compensation:
There will be no compensation of research participants.
Participants will receive free instructions and weekly mindfulness practices with 
instructor/coach.
Research involves Minimal Risk to the participants; therefore, no compensation will be 
available to the participants.

15.0
Audio/Video Recording/Photography
We will not be performing any video, audio or photography recording of subjects.
,
16.0
Potential Benefits of this Research: 
There has been growing empirical studies of Chinese calligraphic handwriting that resulted
in improvements in visual attention and span, increased mental concentration, confirming 
as an effective treatment for psychosomatic conditions and post-traumatic hyper-arousal 
symptoms, and exhibited significant effects on hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Leisure 
activities occurring later in life that includes calligraphy may inhibit cognitive decline.
Our own studies clearly documented improvement in Wellbeing Scores (Rand SF-36 
questionnaire, EORTC QLQ 30 questionnaire), improvement in pain scores (McGill pain 
questionnaire) in subject suffering from chronic pain, and improvement in depression 
scores (BDI, PHQ9 and HAM questionnaires) in patient with depression. Wellbeing, pain 
study, and Depression study (from Germany) have been already presented at various 
conferences.
This current study aims to go beyond helping people with illness, we wish to document 
improvement of quality of life of general population, specifically – how less stressed and 
more peaceful they feel, and how better connected to others they become. 
17.0
Potential Risks to Participants:
No risks or negative side effects to human participants to the Tao calligraphy meditation 
with Tao song have been observed in our pilot projects and formal studies.
18.0
Provisions to Protect Participant Privacy and Data Confidentiality:
All scientific data will be stored in the external hard drive in the spreadsheet under ID code 
numbers according to Tri Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving 
Humans (2005).
A unique ID code number will be assigned to each participant for entry for internal tracking. 
Once the unique ID number is assigned, no personal identity information is kept with 
research spreadsheets.
The data collected via website will have only confidential ID assigned and never any names or
personal identifiers. As there are no names associated with participants’ responses in their 
electronic research files, it would be impossible to know which subject these responses 

belong to.
When client provides personal information in paper form, these are scanned and forwarded 
to research team by email. Paper original documents are returned to participant who 
provided them in person, or burned if sent by mail. Once the email with documents is 
received by research team, downloaded to research external hard drive, and confirmed 
receipt, the emails with files are deleted from email inbox.
All collected personal information is stored on external hard drive that can be accessed only 
through a password-protected computer.
There will be no hard copies of data printed out, although the results of statistical tests and 
actual papers for presentation will be in paper form.
19.0
Data Monitoring Plan to Ensure the Safety of Participants:
The collected data will remain the property of Sha Research Foundation and only members of
the research team will have the access to the research data collected.
Each participant will complete an Application Form. The signed consent forms will be faxed to
the Foundation. Data collection during the study will be executed at baseline, 3 months and 6
months.
Research Data
1) Participants will complete following research questionnaires prior to the incept of 
mindfulness practice with Tao art: 
. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
. Social Connectedness Scale (SCS)
. Peace of Mind Scale (PoMS).
2) During the time of the study, participants will complete following research questionnaires:
. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
. Social Connectedness Scale (SCS)
. Peace of Mind Scale (PoMS).
C) Data Processes
There will a Consent Process form filled after consenting procedure, this will be reviewed.
All applications are audited for completion.
The log of adverse events will be maintained (this would include data issues also).
The other logs would be: Protocol deviation Log, Subject withdrawal and termination log,
Subject visit log spreadsheet, Telephone log.
Application and consent will be scanned and stored on large (not flash drive) external drive
by principal investigator. After he confirms receipt, any person obtaining these documents
will delete them from their computers and from email inbox. Once principal investigator
downloads the data from inbox to a hard drive, any email containing data will be deleted
from the inbox.
Research Data collected on password-protected entry on the website, will have only first

name and confidential ID as identifiers, and so even in unlikely event of breach to website, no
research data could be attributable to a particular person.
All data will be stored for 7 years and will be safely deleted afterwards. Any retiring hard
drive will be not only erased, but also physically damaged so could not be read from anymore
(in accordance to Canadian Medical Protective Association guidelines).
20.0
Long-term Data and Specimen Storage and Sharing: 
All scientific data will be stored on external hard drive at least 7 years under ID code numbers
according to Tri Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans 
(2005) and HIPAA. All data will be deleted after 7 years.
No personal or attributable medical data will be shared outside of Sha Research Foundation.