Volitional mental absorption in meditation: Toward a scientific understanding of advanced concentrative absorption meditation and the case of jhana

Heliyon, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(10), P. e31223 - e31223

Published: May 1, 2024

Meditation has been integral to human culture for millennia, deeply rooted in various spiritual and contemplative traditions. While the field of science made significant steps toward understanding effects meditation on health well-being, there little study advanced meditative states, including those achieved through intense concentration absorption. We refer these types states as concentrative absorption (ACAM), characterized by with object leading heightened attention, clarity, energy, effortlessness, bliss. This review focuses a type ACAM known jhana (ACAM-J) due its well-documented history, systematic practice approach, recurring phenomenological themes, growing popularity among scientists more generally media society. ACAM-J encompasses eight layers deep concentration, awareness, internal experiences. Here, we describe phenomenology present evidence from neuroscientific studies that highlight their potential applications practices, psychological sciences, therapeutics. additionally propose theoretical frameworks grounded current cognitive ancient aim stimulate further research broadly, encompassing development endpoints. Studying ACAM, specific practices such ACAM-J, can potentially revolutionize our consciousness mental health.

Language: Английский

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Toward a Unified Account of Advanced Concentrative Absorption Meditation: A Systematic Definition and Classification of Jhāna

Mindfulness, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(6), P. 1375 - 1394

Published: May 22, 2024

Abstract Objectives The jhānas are series of advanced concentrative absorption meditative (ACAM) states brought about by meditation. While previously cultivated mostly in monastic settings, a modern meditation manuals both openly discuss the and describe how they may be attained laypeople. Simultaneously, phenomenological neuroscientific investigation is advancing. Although descriptions contemporary jhāna to some degree overlap with one another, there also significant disagreements. Here our objectives identify common features manuals, disagreements, offer an account that comprehensive consistent. Methods A literature search review was conducted. resulted eight provide phenomenologically rich accounts full range jhānas. Common characteristics discrepancies different have been identified comparing terms descriptions. Results We general definition jhāna, distinguish three types investigate dimensions necessary address order comprehensively articulate experience ACAM. Conclusions To ensure scientific rigor, study needs informed commonalities differences existing jhāna. exist, these systematically unified way yields

Language: Английский

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Within‐subject reliability of brain networks during advanced meditation: An intensively sampled 7 Tesla MRI case study

Human Brain Mapping, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 45(7)

Published: May 1, 2024

Abstract Advanced meditation such as jhana can produce various altered states of consciousness (jhanas) and cultivate rewarding psychological qualities including joy, peace, compassion, attentional stability. Mapping the neurobiological substrates inform development application advanced to enhance well‐being. Only two prior studies have attempted investigate neural correlates meditation, rarity adept practitioners has largely restricted size extent these studies. Therefore, examining consistency reliability observed brain responses associated with be valuable. In this study, we aimed characterize functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) within a single subject over repeated runs in canonical networks during performed by an practitioner 5 days (27 fMRI runs) inside ultra‐high field 7 Tesla MRI scanner. We found that thalamus several cortical networks, is, somatomotor, limbic, default‐mode, control, temporo‐parietal, demonstrated good within‐subject across all jhanas. Additionally, other relevant (e.g., attention, salience) showed noticeable increases when measurements were adjusted for variability self‐reported phenomenology related meditation. Overall, present preliminary template reliable areas likely underpinning core neurocognitive elements highlight utility neurophenomenological experimental designs better characterizing neuronal meditative states.

Language: Английский

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Breathwork-induced psychedelic experiences modulate neural dynamics

Cerebral Cortex, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(8)

Published: Aug. 1, 2024

Abstract Breathwork is an understudied school of practices involving intentional respiratory modulation to induce altered state consciousness (ASC). We simultaneously investigate the phenomenological and neural dynamics breathwork by combining Temporal Experience Tracing, a quantitative methodology that preserves temporal subjective experience, with low-density portable EEG devices. Fourteen novice participants completed course up 28 sessions—of 20, 40, or 60 min—in days, yielding neurophenomenological dataset 301 sessions. Using hypothesis-driven data-driven approaches, we found “psychedelic-like” experiences were associated increased Lempel-Ziv complexity during breathwork. Exploratory analyses showed aperiodic exponent power spectral density—but not oscillatory alpha power—yielded similar associations. Non-linear features, like exponent, neurally map both multidimensional composite positive experiences, aspects psychedelic-like experience states such as high bliss.

Language: Английский

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The computational unconscious: Adaptive narrative control, psychopathology, and subjective well-being

Published: Jan. 25, 2024

This paper introduces the notion of adaptive narrative control, a conception how subpersonal computational processes shape contents conscious experience to realize behavior. We unpack implications theory for understanding mechanisms underwriting psychopathology and improvements in subjective well-being associated with psychedelic therapy meditation. The core idea control is that systems equipped an ‘attention schema’ — model its own attentional states can be controlled come anticipate not only epistemic certain states, but also pragmatic consequences, such as potentiate affective responses. In anticipating system able regulate through ‘mental action’ endogenous attention. argue using mental action bias sampling evidence ‘narrative’ upshot inference understood correspond allows physiological ways However, it this capacity which gives rise mechanism ‘avoidant action’, or equivalently ‘motivated inattention’ we underlying psychopathology. approach within active framework provide specification candidate mechanisms. used account rigid belief formation characterizing ‘canalization’ show decrements consequence reduced recognition categorisation emotions (i.e., alexithymia impaired emotional granularity). while avoidant facilitates behavior, environmental conditions lead resulting decreased Our partially echoes Freudian perspective on function effects defense like repression, brings into view novel dynamic unconscious— ‘computational unconscious’. Finally, explore conceptualisation expand refine ‘REBUS’ therapy, explain some increments

Language: Английский

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Neuromodulation and meditation: A review and synthesis toward promoting well-being and understanding consciousness and brain.

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 166, P. 105862 - 105862

Published: Aug. 24, 2024

Language: Английский

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Investigating the complex cortical dynamics of an advanced concentrative absorption meditation called jhanas (ACAM-J): a geometric eigenmode analysis

Cerebral Cortex, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 35(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Advanced meditation has been associated with long- and short-term psychological changes such as bliss, profound insight, transformation of well-being. However, most advanced neuroimaging analyses have implemented primarily spatially-localized approaches, focusing on discrete regional in activity rather than distributed dynamics. The present study uses a geometric eigenmode decomposition ultrahigh field-strength 7T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from an intensely sampled case to investigate the complex, cortical dynamics concentrative absorption meditation. Geometric non-meditative control task fMRI revealed elevated global brain state power energy patterns specific states compared controls, mid-frequency spectrum following non-random, cubic trajectory through sequence. Further, these differences were meaningfully subjective phenomenological reports attention, intensity quality, sensations. This unites precise methodological design, novel framework, rigorous phenomenology provide valuable insights into neural signatures highly refined conscious states. These results underscore similarities between other altered consciousness like those induced by psychedelics-offering their implications for health

Language: Английский

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La méditation avancée : vers de nouveaux états cérébraux

Cerveau & Psycho, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: Nº 175(4), P. 72 - 77

Published: March 11, 2025

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Advanced and long-term meditation and the autonomic nervous system: A review and synthesis

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 106141 - 106141

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Advanced concentrative absorption meditation reorganizes functional connectivity gradients of the brain: 7T MRI and phenomenology case study of jhana meditation

Cerebral Cortex, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 35(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

Abstract There is growing scientific interest in advanced meditation, and particularly the Theravada Buddhist concentrative absorption meditation known as jhana (ACAM-J). ACAM-J includes a series of eight consecutive meditative states, which are radically altered states consciousness. The neuroscience ACAM-J, specifically brain reorganization, remains underspecified part due to difficulty finding studying expert meditators challenges related laboratory investigation ACAM-J. Using nonlinear dimensionality reduction technique applied human functional neuroimaging an intensive case study, we investigated reorganization during We linear mixed models correlations explore relations among phenomenology. Results demonstrated that induces disruption hierarchical organization by shifting gradients toward more globally integrated rather than segregated state between sensory-related higher-order cognitive regions. Additionally, separation attention modulation-related regions, resulting greater differentiation these consistent with phenomenological reports. This study highlights need for further research into health-related implications both short-term long-term practice Key points/highlights (ACAM) has potential improve our knowledge well-being consciousness but underexplored methodological challenges. using gradient analysis disrupts meditation. increases primary sensory areas modulation.

Language: Английский

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