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Aquino-Russell C, Bonamer JI, Hartranft S, Kutash M, Johnson A. Transcendental Meditation Enriches Nurses' Authentic Presence Through Caring for Self and Others. J Holist Nurs 2024:8980101241262922. [PMID: 39056169 DOI: 10.1177/08980101241262922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Purpose of Study: Given the enormity of the most recent challenges to clinician well-being, intensified by the pandemic, we decided to explore the influence of Transcendental Meditation® (TM)® on the well-being of clinical nurses. The purpose of our study was to use qualitative analysis to enhance our understanding of the experiences of clinical nurses who practiced TM, as viewed through the lens of our conceptual model and Watson's holistic unitary caring science theory. Design and Method: This qualitative study involved a thematic analysis of clinical nurses' written descriptions following the completion of the TM program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings: The nurse participants shared their experiences with the practice of TM as creating present moment focus, leading to enhanced self-care, and development of authentic presence with others. The overall theme uncovered in the analysis is that authentic presence is veritas (truth) in knowing, being, doing, and becoming. Conclusions: The findings were congruent with Watson's unitary caring science theory and provided illumination of the holistic value of TM as a self-care strategy for supporting nurses' well-being with the goal of retaining nurses in practice. When nurses care for themselves, they are more likely and able to care for others, thus helping them to enjoy their nursing careers.
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Newberg AB, Wintering NA, Hriso C, Vedaei F, Gottfried S, Ross R. Neuroimaging evaluation of the long term impact of a novel paired meditation practice on brain function. FRONTIERS IN NEUROIMAGING 2024; 3:1368537. [PMID: 38915737 PMCID: PMC11194388 DOI: 10.3389/fnimg.2024.1368537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Background A growing number of advanced neuroimaging studies have compared brain structure and function in long term meditators to non-meditators. The goal is to determine if there may be long term effects on the brain from practicing meditation. In this paper, we present new data on the long term effects of a novel meditation practice in which the focus is on clitoral stimulation. The findings from such a study have implications for potential therapeutic uses with regard to various neurological or psychiatric conditions. Methods We evaluated the cerebral glucose metabolism in 40 subjects with an extended history (>1 year of practice, 2-3 times per week) performing the meditation practice called Orgasmic Meditation (OM) and compared their brains to a group of non-meditating healthy controls (N = 19). Both meditation and non-meditation subjects underwent brain PET after injection with 148 to 296 MBq of FDG using a standard imaging protocol. Resting FDG PET scans of the OM group were compared to the resting scans of healthy, non-meditating, controls using statistical parametric mapping. Results The OM group showed significant differences in metabolic activity at rest compared to the controls. Specifically, there was significantly lower metabolism in select areas of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes, as well as the anterior cingulate, insula, and thalamus, in the OM group compared to the controls. In addition, there were notable distinctions between the males and females with the females demonstrating significantly lower metabolism in the thalamus and insula. Conclusions Overall, these findings suggest that the long term meditation practitioners of OM have different patterns of resting brain metabolism. Since these areas of the brain in which OM practitioners differ from controls are involved in cognition, attention, and emotional regulation, such findings have implications for understanding how this meditation practice might affect practitioners over long periods of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B. Newberg
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nancy A. Wintering
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Chloe Hriso
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Faezeh Vedaei
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sara Gottfried
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Reneita Ross
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Kumar G P, Panda R, Sharma K, Adarsh A, Annen J, Martial C, Faymonville ME, Laureys S, Sombrun C, Ganesan RA, Vanhaudenhuyse A, Gosseries O. Changes in high-order interaction measures of synergy and redundancy during non-ordinary states of consciousness induced by meditation, hypnosis, and auto-induced cognitive trance. Neuroimage 2024; 293:120623. [PMID: 38670442 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
High-order interactions are required across brain regions to accomplish specific cognitive functions. These functional interdependencies are reflected by synergistic information that can be obtained by combining the information from all the sources considered and redundant information (i.e., common information provided by all the sources). However, electroencephalogram (EEG) functional connectivity is limited to pairwise interactions thereby precluding the estimation of high-order interactions. In this multicentric study, we used measures of synergistic and redundant information to study in parallel the high-order interactions between five EEG electrodes during three non-ordinary states of consciousness (NSCs): Rajyoga meditation (RM), hypnosis, and auto-induced cognitive trance (AICT). We analyzed EEG data from 22 long-term Rajyoga meditators, nine volunteers undergoing hypnosis, and 21 practitioners of AICT. We here report the within-group changes in synergy and redundancy for each NSC in comparison with their respective baseline. During RM, synergy increased at the whole brain level in the delta and theta bands. Redundancy decreased in frontal, right central, and posterior electrodes in delta, and frontal, central, and posterior electrodes in beta1 and beta2 bands. During hypnosis, synergy decreased in mid-frontal, temporal, and mid-centro-parietal electrodes in the delta band. The decrease was also observed in the beta2 band in the left frontal and right parietal electrodes. During AICT, synergy decreased in delta and theta bands in left-frontal, right-frontocentral, and posterior electrodes. The decrease was also observed at the whole brain level in the alpha band. However, redundancy changes during hypnosis and AICT were not significant. The subjective reports of absorption and dissociation during hypnosis and AICT, as well as the mystical experience questionnaires during AICT, showed no correlation with the high-order measures. The proposed study is the first exploratory attempt to utilize the concepts of synergy and redundancy in NSCs. The differences in synergy and redundancy during different NSCs warrant further studies to relate the extracted measures with the phenomenology of the NSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Kumar G
- MILE Lab, Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Rajanikant Panda
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium; Sensation & Perception Research Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Kanishka Sharma
- MILE Lab, Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - A Adarsh
- MILE Lab, Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Jitka Annen
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Martial
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville
- Sensation & Perception Research Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium; Arsene Bruny Integrated Oncological Center, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Steven Laureys
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | | | - Ramakrishnan Angarai Ganesan
- MILE Lab, Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India; Centre for Neuroscience, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse
- Sensation & Perception Research Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium; Algology Interdisciplinary Center, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Olivia Gosseries
- Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium; Sensation & Perception Research Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium; Centre du Cerveau, University Hospital of Liege, Liege, Belgium.
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Chockalingam A, Bettencourt BA, Anand K, Dorairajan S, Anbuganapathi G, Srinivas S, Chockalingam V. Siddha Self-Inquiry for Flow, Bliss, and Uvagai: Mindfulness for Intuitive Lifestyle in Complex Cardiac Disease. Am J Lifestyle Med 2024; 18:75-81. [PMID: 39184273 PMCID: PMC11339765 DOI: 10.1177/15598276221117091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mental health disorders contribute to significant healthcare expenses. Lifestyle approaches that empower and enable patients to participate in their recovery are needed with the increasing complexity of cardiac patients. Traditional Tamil medical practice of Siddha self-inquiry meditation targets holistic health through intuitive lifestyle transformation. We describe 4 complex cardiac patients who explored Siddha based Hunger Gratitude Experience (HUGE) mindful eating and reported elevated levels of optimism and deeper experience of life as outlined by the 5000-year-old secular Siddha medical tradition. We cannot exclude the role of suggestion and placebo effect in descriptive series. However, the simultaneous improvement in physical health and emotional wellbeing along with demonstrated resilience against unforeseen adversities suggests this is Uvagai, the true essence of Siddha higher consciousness. Uvagai is extreme happiness and may be accessible universally with little formal training and targets positive psychology to improve wellbeing. While flow and bliss states are transient transcendental experiences, Uvagai may be more profound and therapeutic in CVD despite age and comorbidities. Seeking Uvagai can potentially overcome health disparities, including rural, minority, and underprivileged populations for better health. HUGE allows CVD patients to safely engage in Uvagai, experience higher consciousness and intuitively sustain lifestyle transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Chockalingam
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (AC); Harry S Truman VA Medical Center, Columbia, MO, USA (AC, SD); Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MS, USA (BAB); Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA (KA); Siddha Physician, Anbu Hospital, Chennai, India (CA); Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (SS); Department of Marketing, Trulaske College of Business, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (SS); Cardiology, Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai, India (VC)
| | - B. Ann Bettencourt
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (AC); Harry S Truman VA Medical Center, Columbia, MO, USA (AC, SD); Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MS, USA (BAB); Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA (KA); Siddha Physician, Anbu Hospital, Chennai, India (CA); Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (SS); Department of Marketing, Trulaske College of Business, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (SS); Cardiology, Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai, India (VC)
| | - Kavin Anand
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (AC); Harry S Truman VA Medical Center, Columbia, MO, USA (AC, SD); Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MS, USA (BAB); Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA (KA); Siddha Physician, Anbu Hospital, Chennai, India (CA); Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (SS); Department of Marketing, Trulaske College of Business, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (SS); Cardiology, Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai, India (VC)
| | - Smrita Dorairajan
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (AC); Harry S Truman VA Medical Center, Columbia, MO, USA (AC, SD); Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MS, USA (BAB); Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA (KA); Siddha Physician, Anbu Hospital, Chennai, India (CA); Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (SS); Department of Marketing, Trulaske College of Business, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (SS); Cardiology, Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai, India (VC)
| | - Govindaraju Anbuganapathi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (AC); Harry S Truman VA Medical Center, Columbia, MO, USA (AC, SD); Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MS, USA (BAB); Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA (KA); Siddha Physician, Anbu Hospital, Chennai, India (CA); Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (SS); Department of Marketing, Trulaske College of Business, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (SS); Cardiology, Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai, India (VC)
| | - Sharan Srinivas
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (AC); Harry S Truman VA Medical Center, Columbia, MO, USA (AC, SD); Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MS, USA (BAB); Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA (KA); Siddha Physician, Anbu Hospital, Chennai, India (CA); Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (SS); Department of Marketing, Trulaske College of Business, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (SS); Cardiology, Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai, India (VC)
| | - Venkatachalam Chockalingam
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (AC); Harry S Truman VA Medical Center, Columbia, MO, USA (AC, SD); Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MS, USA (BAB); Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA (KA); Siddha Physician, Anbu Hospital, Chennai, India (CA); Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (SS); Department of Marketing, Trulaske College of Business, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA (SS); Cardiology, Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai, India (VC)
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Schneider RH, Travis F, Nader T. Addressing Clinician Burnout: A Unifying Systems Medicine Model with Meditation as a Heart-mind Intervention. HEART AND MIND 2024; 8:5-11. [PMID: 38298475 PMCID: PMC10830140 DOI: 10.4103/hm.hm-d-23-00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robert H. Schneider
- College of Integrative Medicine, Maharishi International University, Fairfield, Iowa, USA
- Institute for Prevention Research, Maharishi International University, Vedic City, Iowa, USA
| | - Fred Travis
- Center for Brain, Consciousness and Cognition, Maharishi International University, Fairfield, Iowa, USA
| | - Tony Nader
- Dr. Tony Nader Institute, Maharishi International University, Fairfield, Iowa, USA
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Loiselle M, Travis F. Improving physical and mental health of college students through Consciousness-Based Education. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023; 71:2673-2678. [PMID: 34670104 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1984245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Objective: This study examined whether studying in a Consciousness-Based Education institution influenced college students' mental and physical health. Participants and methods: Undergraduate college students (n = 321) completed the Duke Health Profile, assessing 11 areas of mental and physical health, both as entering freshmen (2008-2014) and at graduation. The archived data was analyzed from 2019 to 2020. Results: Using ANOVA for all 11 subscales revealed significant increases in physical, mental, and general health, self-esteem (P < .001), perceived health (P < .017); and significant decreases in anxiety, depression, and anxiety-depression (P < .001). There were no significant group effects on pain, disability, or social health. Conclusions: Consciousness-Based Education was found to buffer the effects of stress on mental and physical health in college students. Consciousness-Based Education's influence in lowering anxiety and depression while improving self-esteem and general health presents an effective tool for educators and administrators to consider in assisting students combating the stress of college life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Loiselle
- Department of Evaluation, Maharishi International University, Fairfield, Iowa, USA
| | - Frederick Travis
- Center for Brain, Consciousness and Cognition, Maharishi International University, Fairfield, Iowa, USA
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Weder BJ. Mindfulness in the focus of the neurosciences - The contribution of neuroimaging to the understanding of mindfulness. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:928522. [PMID: 36325155 PMCID: PMC9622333 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.928522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mindfulness affects human levels of experience by facilitating the immediate and impartial perception of phenomena, including sensory stimulation, emotions, and thoughts. Mindfulness is now a focus of neuroimaging, since technical and methodological developments in magnetic resonance imaging have made it possible to observe subjects performing mindfulness tasks. OBJECTIVE We set out to describe the association between mental processes and characteristics of mindfulness, including their specific cerebral patterns, as shown in structural and functional neuroimaging studies. METHODS We searched the MEDLINE databank of references and abstracts on life sciences and biomedical topics via PubMed using the keywords: "mindfulness," "focused attention (FA)," "open monitoring (OM)," "mind wandering," "emotional regulation," "magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)" and "default mode network (DMN)." This review extracted phenomenological experiences across populations with varying degrees of mindfulness training and correlated these experiences with structural and functional neuroimaging patterns. Our goal was to describe how mindful behavior was processed by the constituents of the default mode network during specific tasks. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Depending on the research paradigm employed to explore mindfulness, investigations of function that used fMRI exhibited distinct activation patterns and functional connectivities. Basic to mindfulness is a long-term process of learning to use meditation techniques. Meditators progress from voluntary control of emotions and subjective preferences to emotional regulation and impartial awareness of phenomena. As their ability to monitor perception and behavior, a metacognitive skill, improves, mindfulness increases self-specifying thoughts governed by the experiential phenomenological self and reduces self-relational thoughts of the narrative self. The degree of mindfulness (ratio of self-specifying to self-relational thoughts) may affect other mental processes, e.g., awareness, working memory, mind wandering and belief formation. Mindfulness prevents habituation and the constant assumptions associated with mindlessness. Self-specifying thinking during mindfulness and self-relational thinking in the narrative self relies on the default mode network. The main constituents of this network are the dorsal and medial prefrontal cortex, and posterior cingulate cortex. These midline structures are antagonistic to self-specifying and self-relational processes, since the predominant process determines their differential involvement. Functional and brain volume changes indicate brain plasticity, mediated by mental training over the long-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno J. Weder
- Support Centre for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Alcaraz-Sánchez A, Demšar E, Campillo-Ferrer T, Torres-Platas SG. Nothingness Is All There Is: An Exploration of Objectless Awareness During Sleep. Front Psychol 2022; 13:901031. [PMID: 35756253 PMCID: PMC9226678 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.901031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent years have seen a heightened focus on the study of minimal forms of awareness during sleep to advance the study of consciousness and understand what makes a state conscious. This focus draws on an increased interest in anecdotical descriptions made by classic Indian philosophical traditions about unusual forms of awareness during sleep. For instance, in the so-called state of witnessing-sleep or luminosity sleep, one is said to reach a state that goes beyond ordinary dreaming and abide in a state of just awareness, a state in which one is not aware of anything else other than one’s own awareness. Moreover, for these traditions, this state is taken to be the essence or background of consciousness. Reports on such a state opens the door to exciting new lines of research in the study of consciousness, such as inquiry into the so-called objectless awareness during sleep—states of awareness that lack an ordinary object of awareness. In this two-staged research project, we attempted to find the phenomenological blueprints of such forms of awareness during sleep in 18 participants by conducting phenomenological interviews, informed by a novel tool in qualitative research, the micro-phenomenological interview (MPI) method. Following a phenomenological analysis, we isolated a similar phase across 12 reported experiences labeled as “nothingness phase” since it described what participants took to be an experience of “nothingness.” This common phase was characterized by minimal sense of self—a bodiless self, yet experienced as being “somewhere”—, the presence of non-modal sensations, relatively pleasant emotions, an absence of visual experience, wide and unfocused attention, and an awareness of the state as it unfolded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Alcaraz-Sánchez
- Department of Philosophy, Centre for the Study of the Perceptual Experience, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ema Demšar
- Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, Department of Philosophy, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Teresa Campillo-Ferrer
- Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Álvarez-Pérez Y, Rivero-Santana A, Perestelo-Pérez L, Duarte-Díaz A, Ramos-García V, Toledo-Chávarri A, Torres-Castaño A, León-Salas B, Infante-Ventura D, González-Hernández N, Rodríguez-Rodríguez L, Serrano-Aguilar P. Effectiveness of Mantra-Based Meditation on Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063380. [PMID: 35329068 PMCID: PMC8949812 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Meditation is defined as a form of cognitive training that aims to improve attentional and emotional self-regulation. This systematic review aims to evaluate the available scientific evidence on the effectiveness and safety of mantra-based meditation techniques (MBM), in comparison to passive or active controls, or other active treatment, for the management of mental health symptoms. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO databases were consulted up to April 2021. Randomised controlled trials regarding meditation techniques mainly based on the repetition of mantras, such as transcendental meditation or others, were included. Results: MBM, compared to control conditions, was found to produce significant small-to-moderate effect sizes in the reduction of anxiety (g = −0.46, IC95%: −0.60, −0.32; I2 = 33%), depression (g = −0.33, 95% CI: −0.48, −0.19; I2 = 12%), stress (g = −0.45, 95% CI: −0.65, −0.24; I2 = 46%), post-traumatic stress (g = −0.59, 95% CI: −0.79, −0.38; I2 = 0%), and mental health-related quality of life (g = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.49; I2 = 0%). Conclusions: MBM appears to produce small-to-moderate significant reductions in mental health; however, this evidence is weakened by the risk of study bias and the paucity of studies with psychiatric samples and long-term follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Álvarez-Pérez
- Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (A.D.-D.); (V.R.-G.); (A.T.-C.); (A.T.-C.); (B.L.-S.); (D.I.-V.); (L.R.-R.)
- Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (L.P.-P.); (P.S.-A.)
- Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Amado Rivero-Santana
- Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (A.D.-D.); (V.R.-G.); (A.T.-C.); (A.T.-C.); (B.L.-S.); (D.I.-V.); (L.R.-R.)
- Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (L.P.-P.); (P.S.-A.)
- Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lilisbeth Perestelo-Pérez
- Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (L.P.-P.); (P.S.-A.)
- Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
- Research Network on Health Services in Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain;
| | - Andrea Duarte-Díaz
- Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (A.D.-D.); (V.R.-G.); (A.T.-C.); (A.T.-C.); (B.L.-S.); (D.I.-V.); (L.R.-R.)
- Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (L.P.-P.); (P.S.-A.)
- Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa Ramos-García
- Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (A.D.-D.); (V.R.-G.); (A.T.-C.); (A.T.-C.); (B.L.-S.); (D.I.-V.); (L.R.-R.)
- Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (L.P.-P.); (P.S.-A.)
- Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Toledo-Chávarri
- Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (A.D.-D.); (V.R.-G.); (A.T.-C.); (A.T.-C.); (B.L.-S.); (D.I.-V.); (L.R.-R.)
- Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (L.P.-P.); (P.S.-A.)
- Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
- Research Network on Health Services in Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain;
| | - Alezandra Torres-Castaño
- Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (A.D.-D.); (V.R.-G.); (A.T.-C.); (A.T.-C.); (B.L.-S.); (D.I.-V.); (L.R.-R.)
- Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (L.P.-P.); (P.S.-A.)
- Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz León-Salas
- Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (A.D.-D.); (V.R.-G.); (A.T.-C.); (A.T.-C.); (B.L.-S.); (D.I.-V.); (L.R.-R.)
- Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (L.P.-P.); (P.S.-A.)
- Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
- Research Network on Health Services in Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain;
| | - Diego Infante-Ventura
- Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (A.D.-D.); (V.R.-G.); (A.T.-C.); (A.T.-C.); (B.L.-S.); (D.I.-V.); (L.R.-R.)
- Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (L.P.-P.); (P.S.-A.)
- Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nerea González-Hernández
- Research Network on Health Services in Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain;
- Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Barrualde-Galdakao Integrated Health Organisation, 48960 Galdakao, Spain
- Kronikgune Institute for Health Services Research, Ronda de Azkue 1 torre del Bilbao Exhibition Centre, 48902 Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Leticia Rodríguez-Rodríguez
- Canary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (A.R.-S.); (A.D.-D.); (V.R.-G.); (A.T.-C.); (A.T.-C.); (B.L.-S.); (D.I.-V.); (L.R.-R.)
- Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (L.P.-P.); (P.S.-A.)
- Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Serrano-Aguilar
- Evaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), 38109 Tenerife, Spain; (L.P.-P.); (P.S.-A.)
- Spanish Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment for the National Health Service (RedETS), 28071 Madrid, Spain
- Research Network on Health Services in Chronic Diseases (REDISSEC), 38109 Tenerife, Spain;
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10
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Dresp-Langley B. Consciousness Beyond Neural Fields: Expanding the Possibilities of What Has Not Yet Happened. Front Psychol 2022; 12:762349. [PMID: 35082717 PMCID: PMC8784399 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.762349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the field theories in physics, any particular region of the presumed space-time continuum and all interactions between elementary objects therein can be objectively measured and/or accounted for mathematically. Since this does not apply to any of the field theories, or any other neural theory, of consciousness, their explanatory power is limited. As discussed in detail herein, the matter is complicated further by the facts than any scientifically operational definition of consciousness is inevitably partial, and that the phenomenon has no spatial dimensionality. Under the light of insights from research on meditation and expanded consciousness, chronic pain syndrome, healthy aging, and eudaimonic well-being, we may conceive consciousness as a source of potential energy that has no clearly defined spatial dimensionality, but can produce significant changes in others and in the world, observable in terms of changes in time. It is argued that consciousness may have evolved to enable the human species to generate such changes in order to cope with unprecedented and/or unpredictable adversity. Such coping could, ultimately, include the conscious planning of our own extinction when survival on the planet is no longer an acceptable option.
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Paoletti P, Ben-Soussan TD. Reflections on Inner and Outer Silence and Consciousness Without Contents According to the Sphere Model of Consciousness. Front Psychol 2020; 11:1807. [PMID: 32903475 PMCID: PMC7435012 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the current hypothesis paper, we propose that focusing attention on silence can be used as a paradigm conceptually similar to sensory deprivation, to study consciousness without content. We briefly overview recent influential models of consciousness and consider how they assess the relationship between consciousness and contents. After discussing the strengths and weaknesses of current models, we suggest an extension based on the Sphere Model of Consciousness (SMC) and introduce new definitions for identification and self-awareness as states of consciousness. We further compare Paoletti's theoretical model for the development of self with other influential models, highlighting similarities and differences. We conclude with a discussion of how attentional focus on silence can be empirically tested.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tal Dotan Ben-Soussan
- Research Institute for Neuroscience, Education and Didactics, Patrizio Paoletti Foundation, Assisi, Italy
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12
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Meditation Increases the Entropy of Brain Oscillatory Activity. Neuroscience 2020; 431:40-51. [PMID: 32032666 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
We address the hypothesis that the entropy of neural dynamics indexes the intensity and quality of conscious content. Previous work established that serotonergic psychedelics can have a dysregulating effect on brain activity, leading to subjective effects that present a considerable overlap with the phenomenology of certain meditative states. Here we propose that the prolonged practice of meditation results in endogenous increased entropy of brain oscillatory activity. We estimated the entropy of band-specific oscillations during the meditative state of traditions classified as 'focused attention' (Himalayan Yoga), 'open monitoring' (Vipassana), and 'open awareness' (Isha Shoonya Yoga). Among all traditions, Vipassana resulted in the highest entropy increases, predominantly in the alpha and low/high gamma bands. In agreement with previous studies, all meditation traditions increased the global coherence in the gamma band, but also stabilized gamma-range dynamics by lowering the metastability. Finally, machine learning classifiers could successfully generalize between certain pairs of meditation traditions based on the scalp distribution of gamma band entropies. Our results extend previous findings on the spectral changes observed during meditation, showing how long-term practice can lead to the capacity for achieving brain states of high entropy. This constitutes an example of an endogenous, self-induced high entropy state.
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Venkatraman A, Nandy R, Rao SS, Mehta DH, Viswanathan A, Jayasundar R. Tantra and Modern Neurosciences: Is there any Correlation? Neurol India 2019; 67:1188-1193. [PMID: 31744942 DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.271263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Many studies have conclusively proven that meditative techniques derived from the Indian systems of philosophy, meditation and ritual classified as "Tantra" can bring about sustained changes in the structure and function of the nervous system of practitioners. The aim of this study is to provide neuroscientists a framework through which to interpret Tantra, and thereby provide a foundation upon which future interdisciplinary study can be built. METHODS We juxtapose Tantric concepts such as the subtle body, nadis and mantras with relevant neuroscientific findings. Our premise is that through sustained internalization of attention, Tantric practitioners were able to identify and document subtle changes in their field of awareness, which usually do not cross the threshold to come into our perception. RESULTS The descriptions left by Tantric philosophers are often detailed and empirical, but they are about subjective phenomena, rather than external objects. They also focus on individual experiences, rather than the group-level analyses favored by modern medical science. CONCLUSION Systematic exploration of Tantric texts can be of tremendous value in expanding our understanding of human beings' experiential reality, by enabling us to build bridges between first-person and third-person approaches to the nervous system. This may open up new avenues for cognitive enhancement and treating neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Venkatraman
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital/Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Shyam Sudarshan Rao
- Department of Neurology, Brown University Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Darshan Hemendra Mehta
- Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital; Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anand Viswanathan
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rama Jayasundar
- Department of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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14
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Deepeshwar S, Nagendra HR, Rana BB, Visweswaraiah NK. Evolution from four mental states to the highest state of consciousness: A neurophysiological basis of meditation as defined in yoga texts. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2019; 244:31-83. [PMID: 30732843 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
This chapter provides a theoretical introduction to states of consciousness and reviews neuroscientific investigations of meditation. The different states of consciousness consist of four mental states, i.e., cancalata (random thinking), ekagrata (non-meditative focusing), dharna (focused meditation), and dhyana (meditation) as defined in yoga texts. Meditation is a self-regulated mental process associated with deep relaxation and increased internalized attention. Scientific investigations on meditation reported changes in electrophysiological signals and neuroimaging measures. But most outcomes of meditation studies showed inconsistent results, this may be due to heterogeneity in meditation methods and techniques evolved in the last 200 years. Traditionally, the features of meditation include the capacity to sustain a heightened awareness of thoughts, behaviors, emotions, and perceptions. Generally, meditation involves non-reactive effortless monitoring of the content of experience from moment to moment. Focused meditation practice involves awareness on a single object and open monitoring meditation is a non-directive meditation involved attention in breathing, mantra, or sound. Therefore, results of few empirical studies of advanced meditators or beginners remain tentative. This is an attempt to compile the meditation-related changes in electrophysiological and neuroimaging processes among experienced and novice practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Singh Deepeshwar
- Department of Yoga and Life Sciences, Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Swami Vivekananda Yoga University (S-VYASA), Bengaluru, India
| | - H R Nagendra
- Department of Yoga and Life Sciences, Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Swami Vivekananda Yoga University (S-VYASA), Bengaluru, India
| | - Bal Budhi Rana
- Department of Yoga and Life Sciences, Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Swami Vivekananda Yoga University (S-VYASA), Bengaluru, India
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Brandmeyer T, Delorme A, Wahbeh H. The neuroscience of meditation: classification, phenomenology, correlates, and mechanisms. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2019; 244:1-29. [PMID: 30732832 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Rising from its contemplative and spiritual traditions, the science of meditation has seen huge growth over the last 30 years. This chapter reviews the classifications, phenomenology, neural correlates, and mechanisms of meditation. Meditation classification types are still varied and largely subjective. Broader models to describe meditation practice along multidimensional parameters may improve classification in the future. Phenomenological studies are few but growing, highlighting the subjective experience and correlations to neurophysiology. Oscillatory EEG studies are not conclusive likely due to the heterogeneous nature of the meditation styles and practitioners being assessed. Neuroimaging studies find common patterns during meditation and in long-term meditators reflecting the basic similarities of meditation in general; however, mostly the patterns differ across unique meditation traditions. Research on the mechanisms of meditation, specifically attention and emotion regulation is also discussed. There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating positive benefits from meditation in some clinical populations especially for stress reduction, anxiety, depression, and pain improvement, although future research would benefit by addressing the remaining methodological and conceptual issues. Meditation research continues to grow allowing us to understand greater nuances of how meditation works and its effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Brandmeyer
- Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States; Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition (CerCo), Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France; CNRS, UMR 5549, Toulouse, France.
| | - Arnaud Delorme
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition (CerCo), Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France; CNRS, UMR 5549, Toulouse, France; Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), Petaluma, CA, United States; Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience, Institute of Neural Computation (INC), University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Helané Wahbeh
- Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), Petaluma, CA, United States; Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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Vieten C, Wahbeh H, Cahn BR, MacLean K, Estrada M, Mills P, Murphy M, Shapiro S, Radin D, Josipovic Z, Presti DE, Sapiro M, Chozen Bays J, Russell P, Vago D, Travis F, Walsh R, Delorme A. Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205740. [PMID: 30403693 PMCID: PMC6221271 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The science of meditation has grown tremendously in the last two decades. Most studies have focused on evaluating the clinical effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions, neural and other physiological correlates of meditation, and individual cognitive and emotional aspects of meditation. Far less research has been conducted on more challenging domains to measure, such as group and relational, transpersonal and mystical, and difficult aspects of meditation; anomalous or extraordinary phenomena related to meditation; and post-conventional stages of development associated with meditation. However, these components of meditation may be crucial to people's psychological and spiritual development, could represent important mediators and/or mechanisms by which meditation confers benefits, and could themselves be important outcomes of meditation practices. In addition, since large numbers of novices are being introduced to meditation, it is helpful to investigate experiences they may encounter that are not well understood. Over the last four years, a task force of meditation researchers and teachers met regularly to develop recommendations for expanding the current meditation research field to include these important yet often neglected topics. These meetings led to a cross-sectional online survey to investigate the prevalence of a wide range of experiences in 1120 meditators. Results show that the majority of respondents report having had many of these anomalous and extraordinary experiences. While some of the topics are potentially controversial, they can be subjected to rigorous scientific investigation. These arenas represent largely uncharted scientific terrain and provide excellent opportunities for both new and experienced researchers. We provide suggestions for future directions, with accompanying online materials to encourage such research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Vieten
- Research Department, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California, United States of America
| | - Helané Wahbeh
- Research Department, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - B. Rael Cahn
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Katherine MacLean
- Center for Optimal Living, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Mica Estrada
- Institute for Health and Aging, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Paul Mills
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Michael Murphy
- Center for Theory and Research, Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California, United States of America
| | - Shauna Shapiro
- Department of Counseling Psychology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California, United States of America
| | - Dean Radin
- Research Department, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California, United States of America
| | - Zoran Josipovic
- Department of Psychology, New York University and Nonduality Institute, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - David E. Presti
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Michael Sapiro
- Research Department, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California, United States of America
| | - Jan Chozen Bays
- Randall Children’s Hospital, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Peter Russell
- Research Department, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California, United States of America
| | - David Vago
- Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Fred Travis
- Center for Brain, Consciousness and Cognition, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Roger Walsh
- School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Arnaud Delorme
- Research Department, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, California, United States of America
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
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Van Gordon W, Shonin E, Dunn TJ, Sheffield D, Garcia-Campayo J, Griffiths MD. Meditation-Induced Near-Death Experiences: a 3-Year Longitudinal Study. Mindfulness (N Y) 2018; 9:1794-1806. [PMID: 30524512 PMCID: PMC6244634 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-018-0922-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are life transformational events that are increasingly being subjected to empirical research. However, to date, no study has investigated the phenomenon of a meditation-induced near-death experience (MI-NDE) that is referred to in ancient Buddhist texts. Given that some advanced Buddhist meditators can induce NDEs at a pre-planned point in time, the MI-NDE may make NDEs more empirically accessible and thus advance understanding into the psychology of death-related processes. The present study recruited 12 advanced Buddhist meditators and compared the MI-NDE against two other meditation practices (i.e. that acted as control conditions) in the same participant group. Changes in the content and profundity of the MI-NDE were assessed longitudinally over a 3-year period. Findings demonstrated that compared to the control conditions, the MI-NDE prompted significantly greater pre-post increases in NDE profundity, mystical experiences and non-attachment. Furthermore, participants demonstrated significant increases in NDE profundity across the 3-year study period. Findings from an embedded qualitative analysis (using grounded theory) demonstrated that participants (i) were consciously aware of experiencing NDEs, (ii) retained volitional control over the content and duration of NDEs and (iii) elicited a rich array of non-worldly encounters and spiritual experiences. In addition to providing corroborating evidence in terms of the content of a “regular” (i.e. non-meditation-induced) NDE, novel NDE features identified in the present study indicate that there exist unexplored and/or poorly understood dimensions to NDEs. Furthermore, the study indicates that it would be feasible—including ethically feasible—for future research to recruit advanced meditators in order to assess real-time changes in neurological activity during NDEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Van Gordon
- 1Centre for Psychological Research, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby, Derbyshire DE22 1GB UK.,Awake to Wisdom Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness Research, Ragusa, Italy
| | - Edo Shonin
- Awake to Wisdom Centre for Meditation and Mindfulness Research, Ragusa, Italy
| | - Thomas J Dunn
- 3Psychology Division, Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln, UK
| | - David Sheffield
- 1Centre for Psychological Research, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby, Derbyshire DE22 1GB UK
| | | | - Mark D Griffiths
- 5Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire, UK
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18
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Mahone MC, Travis F, Gevirtz R, Hubbard D. fMRI during Transcendental Meditation practice. Brain Cogn 2018; 123:30-33. [PMID: 29505943 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2018.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This study used a within group design to investigate blood flow patterns (fMRI) in 16 long-term practitioners of Transcendental Meditation (mean practice: 34.3 years with each having over 36,000 h of meditation practice). During Transcendental Meditation practice, blood flow patterns were significantly higher in executive and attention areas (anterior cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices) and significantly lower in arousal areas (pons and cerebellum). This pattern supports the understanding that Transcendental Meditation practice requires minimal effort. During Transcendental Meditation, the attentional system was active (heightened blood flow in anterior cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices) in an automatic manner-decreased blood flow in the pons and cerebellum. This pattern of heightened blood flow in attentional areas and decreased blood flow in arousal areas has not been reported during other meditation practices. Future research should investigate blood flow patterns in different meditation practices in the same study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle C Mahone
- California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego, CA 91932, USA
| | - Fred Travis
- Center for Brain, Consciousness and Cognition, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, IA, USA.
| | - Richard Gevirtz
- California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego, CA 91932, USA
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19
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Gobec S, Travis F. Effects of Maharishi Yoga Asanas on Mood States, Happiness, and Experiences during Meditation. Int J Yoga 2018; 11:66-71. [PMID: 29343933 PMCID: PMC5769201 DOI: 10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_66_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Context/Background Many studies showed positive effects of Yoga Asanas. There is no study on Maharishi Yoga Asanas yet. This research replicated and expanded observed improvements on the profile of mood states (POMS) as a result of 2-week Maharishi Yoga Asanas course. Thirteen college students taking part in a 4-week course on Maharishi Yoga Asanas were matched with 13 students taking other courses at the university. Aims and Objective The main objective of the study was to assess the effects of Maharishi Yoga Asanas on mood states, degree of happiness, and experiences in Transcendental Meditation (TM) practice. Methods All students were given two psychological tests and additional question before and after their 4-week course: POMS, Meditation Depth Questionnaire, and question about the degree of happiness. Results Repeated measure MANOVA showed the 4-week Maharishi Yoga Asanas course resulted in significant increase in happiness during the day and significant improvements in (1) sense of personal self, (2) transpersonal qualities, and (3) transpersonal self during their TM practice. Conclusion This research shows that Maharishi Yoga Asanas affect more than body and mind. Rather they influence much deeper levels of one's subjectivity including one's transpersonal self.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Gobec
- Center for Brain, Consciousness and Cognition, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, IA, USA
| | - Frederick Travis
- Center for Brain, Consciousness and Cognition, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, IA, USA
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20
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Wahbeh H, Sagher A, Back W, Pundhir P, Travis F. A Systematic Review of Transcendent States Across Meditation and Contemplative Traditions. Explore (NY) 2018; 14:19-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2017.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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21
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Just a minute meditation: Rapid voluntary conscious state shifts in long term meditators. Conscious Cogn 2017; 53:176-184. [DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Jadhav N, Manthalkar R, Joshi Y. Effect of meditation on emotional response: An EEG-based study. Biomed Signal Process Control 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2017.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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23
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The embodied mind: A review on functional genomic and neurological correlates of mind-body therapies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 73:165-181. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Abstract
Meditation has become popular in many Western nations, especially the USA. An increasing body of research shows various health benefits associated with meditation and these findings have sparked interest in the field of medicine. The practice of meditation originated in the ancient Vedic times of India and is described in the ancient Vedic texts. Meditation is one of the modalities used in Ayurveda (Science of Life), the comprehensive, natural health care system that originated in the ancient Vedic times of India. The term “meditation” is now loosely used to refer to a large number of diverse techniques. According to Vedic science, the true purpose of meditation is to connect oneself to one's deep inner Self. Techniques which achieve that goal serve the true purpose of meditation. Neurological and physiological correlates of meditation have been investigated previously. This article describes the process of meditation at a more fundamental level and aims to shed light on the deeper underlying mechanism of the beneficial effects associated with meditation. Research on the effects of meditation is summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Sharma
- Center for Integrative Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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25
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Travis F. Transcending as a driver of development. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2016; 1373:72-7. [PMID: 27124274 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2015] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This paper draws from three different bodies of research to discuss the hypothesis that age-appropriate experiences enhance brain and cognitive development throughout the life span. These age-appropriate experiences could be considered as the drivers of development at each age, including drivers to foster development beyond adult abstract thinking, as described in Piaget's formal operational stage. We explore how a nurturing caregiver is the driver in the first 2 years of life, how language learning is the driver from 3 to 10 years, and how problem solving is the driver in the teenage years. To develop beyond adult rational thinking, we suggest that the driver is transcending thought, which can result when practicing meditations in the automatic self-transcending category, such as Transcendental Meditation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Travis
- Center for Brain, Consciousness, and Cognition, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, Iowa
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26
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Fox KCR, Dixon ML, Nijeboer S, Girn M, Floman JL, Lifshitz M, Ellamil M, Sedlmeier P, Christoff K. Functional neuroanatomy of meditation: A review and meta-analysis of 78 functional neuroimaging investigations. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 65:208-28. [PMID: 27032724 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Meditation is a family of mental practices that encompasses a wide array of techniques employing distinctive mental strategies. We systematically reviewed 78 functional neuroimaging (fMRI and PET) studies of meditation, and used activation likelihood estimation to meta-analyze 257 peak foci from 31 experiments involving 527 participants. We found reliably dissociable patterns of brain activation and deactivation for four common styles of meditation (focused attention, mantra recitation, open monitoring, and compassion/loving-kindness), and suggestive differences for three others (visualization, sense-withdrawal, and non-dual awareness practices). Overall, dissociable activation patterns are congruent with the psychological and behavioral aims of each practice. Some brain areas are recruited consistently across multiple techniques-including insula, pre/supplementary motor cortices, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, and frontopolar cortex-but convergence is the exception rather than the rule. A preliminary effect-size meta-analysis found medium effects for both activations (d=0.59) and deactivations (d=-0.74), suggesting potential practical significance. Our meta-analysis supports the neurophysiological dissociability of meditation practices, but also raises many methodological concerns and suggests avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran C R Fox
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Matthew L Dixon
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Savannah Nijeboer
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Manesh Girn
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - James L Floman
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, University of British Columbia, 2125 Main Mall, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Michael Lifshitz
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, 3775 University St., Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Melissa Ellamil
- Neuroanatomy and Connectivity Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstrasse 1a, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Peter Sedlmeier
- Institut für Psychologie, Technische Universität Chemnitz, 43 Wilhelm-Raabe Street, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Kalina Christoff
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z4, Canada; Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 2B5, Canada
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Dahl CJ, Lutz A, Davidson RJ. Reconstructing and deconstructing the self: cognitive mechanisms in meditation practice. Trends Cogn Sci 2015; 19:515-23. [PMID: 26231761 PMCID: PMC4595910 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2015.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 307] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2015] [Revised: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Scientific research highlights the central role of specific psychological processes, in particular those related to the self, in various forms of human suffering and flourishing. This view is shared by Buddhism and other contemplative and humanistic traditions, which have developed meditation practices to regulate these processes. Building on a previous paper in this journal, we propose a novel classification system that categorizes specific styles of meditation into attentional, constructive, and deconstructive families based on their primary cognitive mechanisms. We suggest that meta-awareness, perspective taking and cognitive reappraisal, and self-inquiry may be important mechanisms in specific families of meditation and that alterations in these processes may be used to target states of experiential fusion, maladaptive self-schema, and cognitive reification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cortland J Dahl
- Center for Investigating Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53705-2280, USA; Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2280, USA
| | - Antoine Lutz
- Center for Investigating Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53705-2280, USA; Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2280, USA; Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon, France; Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France
| | - Richard J Davidson
- Center for Investigating Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53705-2280, USA; Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2280, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI 53705-2280, USA.
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de Castro JM. Meditation has stronger relationships with mindfulness, kundalini, and mystical experiences than yoga or prayer. Conscious Cogn 2015; 35:115-27. [PMID: 26002763 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2015.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2015] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Contemplative practices can have profound effects on mindfulness and on physical and sensory and mystical experiences. Individuals who self-reported meditation, yoga, contemplative prayer, or a combination of practices and their patterns of practice were compared for mindfulness, kundalini effects, and mystical experiences. The results suggest that the amount of practice but not the pattern and social conditions of practice influences mindfulness and possibly mystical experiences. Meditation, yoga, contemplative prayer, or a combination of practices all were found to be associated with enhancements of mindfulness, kundalini effects, and mystical experiences, but meditation had particularly strong associations and may be the basis of the associations of yoga and prayer with these outcomes. The results further suggest that the primary association of contemplative practices is with the real time awareness and appreciation of sensory and perceptual experiences which may be the intermediary between disparate practices and mindfulness, kundalini effects, and mystical experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M de Castro
- Department of Psychology and Philosophy, Sam Houston State University, United States.
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