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

Mindfulness, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 15(6), С. 1375 - 1394

Опубликована: Май 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

Язык: Английский

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

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 166, С. 105862 - 105862

Опубликована: Авг. 24, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Can psychedelic use benefit meditation practice? Examining individual, psychedelic, and meditation-related factors

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 20(2), С. e0310160 - e0310160

Опубликована: Фев. 12, 2025

Meditation practice and psychedelic use have attracted increasing attention in the public sphere scientific research. Both methods induce non-ordinary states of consciousness that may significant therapeutic benefits. Thus, there is growing interest potential synergies between meditation with some research suggesting psychedelics benefit practice. The present study examined individual, psychedelic-related, meditation-related factors to determine under what conditions meditators perceive as beneficial for their Participants (N = 863) who had reported a regular (at least 3 times per week during last 12 months) were included study. To accommodate large number variables, machine learning (i.e., elastic net, random forest) was used analyze data. Most participants (n 634, 73.5%) found positive influence on quality meditation. Twenty-eight variables showed zero-order associations perceived benefits even following correction. Elastic net best performance (R2 .266) identify most important features. Across 53 model greater psychedelics, intention setting use, agreeableness, exposure N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (N,N-DMT) likely be associated perception results consistent across several different approaches Shapley values, feature ablation). Results suggest practice, with: 1) regularity 2) intentions 3) having an agreeable personality, 4) N,N-DMT being predictors perceiving beneficial. Longitudinal designs randomized trials manipulating are needed establish causality.

Язык: 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, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 35(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 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

Язык: Английский

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Neural filters to conscious awareness and the phenomena that reduce their impact

International Review of Psychiatry, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 1 - 15

Опубликована: Март 14, 2025

Язык: Английский

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

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 106141 - 106141

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

Язык: 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, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 35(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 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.

Язык: Английский

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Risk Factors for Emergence of Sudden Unusual Mental or Somatic Experiences and Subsequent Suffering

Clinical Psychological Science, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 28, 2025

Emergent phenomena (EP)—sudden unusual mental or somatic experiences—are surprisingly widespread. Although EP often lead to positive impacts on well-being, they are sometimes followed by intense suffering. We examine potential risk factors and protective for related suffering using logistic regression general-population survey data ( n = 3,133). The four strongest having attempted divine, magical, occult practices; past psychedelic use; contemplation of mysteries; total lifetime meditation practice outside retreats. Further alone include several traditional techniques spiritually powerful traumatic childbirth experience. Prayer is a factor. Other diagnosis illness personal characteristics. These results provide implicit guidance managing the risks suggesting contraindications individuals who wish have spiritual meditative without EP.

Язык: Английский

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Multimodal Neurophenomenology of Advanced Concentration Absorption Meditation: An Intensively Sampled Case Study of Jhana

NeuroImage, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 305, С. 120973 - 120973

Опубликована: Дек. 14, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Integrated phenomenology and brain connectivity demonstrate changes in nonlinear processing in jhana advanced meditation

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Дек. 2, 2024

We present a neurophenomenological case study investigating distinct neural connectivity regimes during an advanced concentrative absorption meditation called jhana (ACAM-J),characterized by highly-stable attention and mental absorption. Using EEG recordings phenomenological ratings (29 sessions) from meditator with +20,000 hours of practice, we evaluated metrics tracking large-scale interactions: nonlinear (WSMI Directed Information), capturing non-oscillatory dynamics; linear (WPLI) metrics, oscillatory synchrony. Results demonstrate ACAM-J are better distinguished compared to dynamics across multiple frequency ranges. Furthermore, combining attention-related WSMI improves Bayesian decoding alone. Crucially, deeper indicate equalization feedback feedforward processes, suggesting balance internallyand externally-driven information processing. Our results reveal ACAM-J, offering insights into refined conscious states highlighting the value approaches studying attentional states.

Язык: Английский

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