Default mode network activation and Transcendental Meditation practice: Focused Attention or Automatic Self-transcending?

Travis, Frederick; Parim, Niyazi

doi:10.1016/j.bandc.2016.08.009

Cited by 43 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…This DMN is active during passive awake rest or involuntary activities and includes the ventral medial PFC, medial temporal lobe, precuneus, and posterior cingulate gyrus (Brewer et al, 2011 ; Garrison et al, 2015 ; Simon and Engstrom, 2015 ). Of note, TM results in continued elevation in DMN activity (Travis and Parim, 2017 ).…”

Section: Neuronal Activation During Meditationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is evidence for increased alpha coherence in the frontal and parietal regions in the FA and OM traditions as well as TM (Travis, 2001 ; Cahn et al, 2013 ; Travis and Parim, 2017 ). In addition, as opposed to FA and OM, the predominant oscillation during TM is the frontal alpha rhythm as opposed to the theta rhythm.…”

Section: Alpha Frequencymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, as opposed to FA and OM, the predominant oscillation during TM is the frontal alpha rhythm as opposed to the theta rhythm. Transcendental Meditation practice has been associated with increased alpha power among the posterior cingulate gyrus, precuneus, and the medial and inferior temporal cortex (Travis and Parim, 2017 ; van Lutterveld et al, 2017 ).…”

Section: Alpha Frequencymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Review of the Neural Oscillations Underlying Meditation

et al. 2018

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Objective: Meditation is one type of mental training that has been shown to produce many cognitive benefits. Meditation practice is associated with improvement in concentration and reduction of stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, different forms of meditation training are now being used as interventions for a variety of psychological and somatic illnesses. These benefits are thought to occur as a result of neurophysiologic changes. The most commonly studied specific meditation practices are focused attention (FA), open-monitoring (OM), as well as transcendental meditation (TM), and loving-kindness (LK) meditation. In this review, we compare the neural oscillatory patterns during these forms of meditation.Method: We performed a systematic review of neural oscillations during FA, OM, TM, and LK meditation practices, comparing meditators to meditation-naïve adults.Results: FA, OM, TM, and LK meditation are associated with global increases in oscillatory activity in meditators compared to meditation-naïve adults, with larger changes occurring as the length of meditation training increases. While FA and OM are related to increases in anterior theta activity, only FA is associated with changes in posterior theta oscillations. Alpha activity increases in posterior brain regions during both FA and OM. In anterior regions, FA shows a bilateral increase in alpha power, while OM shows a decrease only in left-sided power. Gamma activity in these meditation practices is similar in frontal regions, but increases are variable in parietal and occipital regions.Conclusions: The current literature suggests distinct differences in neural oscillatory activity among FA, OM, TM, and LK meditation practices. Further characterizing these oscillatory changes may better elucidate the cognitive and therapeutic effects of specific meditation practices, and potentially lead to the development of novel neuromodulation targets to take advantage of their benefits.

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Section: Neuronal Activation During Meditationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Alpha Frequencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Alpha Frequencymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Review of the Neural Oscillations Underlying Meditation

et al. 2018

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“… 13 However, recent data suggests that TM practice does not involve focused attention either and relies on distinct mechanisms; given that TM is often described in terms of pure consciousness, this casts doubt on Josipovic's assumption that “objectless” meditation is a form of focused attention (Travis and Parim, 2017 ). …”

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confidence: 99%

Psychedelics, Meditation, and Self-Consciousness

et al. 2018

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In recent years, the scientific study of meditation and psychedelic drugs has seen remarkable developments. The increased focus on meditation in cognitive neuroscience has led to a cross-cultural classification of standard meditation styles validated by functional and structural neuroanatomical data. Meanwhile, the renaissance of psychedelic research has shed light on the neurophysiology of altered states of consciousness induced by classical psychedelics, such as psilocybin and LSD, whose effects are mainly mediated by agonism of serotonin receptors. Few attempts have been made at bridging these two domains of inquiry, despite intriguing evidence of overlap between the phenomenology and neurophysiology of meditation practice and psychedelic states. In particular, many contemplative traditions explicitly aim at dissolving the sense of self by eliciting altered states of consciousness through meditation, while classical psychedelics are known to produce significant disruptions of self-consciousness, a phenomenon known as drug-induced ego dissolution. In this article, we discuss available evidence regarding convergences and differences between phenomenological and neurophysiological data on meditation practice and psychedelic drug-induced states, with a particular emphasis on alterations of self-experience. While both meditation and psychedelics may disrupt self-consciousness and underlying neural processes, we emphasize that neither meditation nor psychedelic states can be conceived as simple, uniform categories. Moreover, we suggest that there are important phenomenological differences even between conscious states described as experiences of self-loss. As a result, we propose that self-consciousness may be best construed as a multidimensional construct, and that “self-loss,” far from being an unequivocal phenomenon, can take several forms. Indeed, various aspects of self-consciousness, including narrative aspects linked to autobiographical memory, self-related thoughts and mental time travel, and embodied aspects rooted in multisensory processes, may be differently affected by psychedelics and meditation practices. Finally, we consider long-term outcomes of experiences of self-loss induced by meditation and psychedelics on individual traits and prosocial behavior. We call for caution regarding the problematic conflation of temporary states of self-loss with “selflessness” as a behavioral or social trait, although there is preliminary evidence that correlations between short-term experiences of self-loss and long-term trait alterations may exist.

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“…TM involves effortless transcending active thoughts and perceptions to the state when the mind is quiet and awake. [ 32 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Maharishi Yoga Asanas on Mood States, Happiness, and Experiences during Meditation

Gobec

Travis

2018

International Journal of Yoga

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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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Default mode network activation and Transcendental Meditation practice: Focused Attention or Automatic Self-transcending?

Cited by 43 publications

References 38 publications

Review of the Neural Oscillations Underlying Meditation

Review of the Neural Oscillations Underlying Meditation

Psychedelics, Meditation, and Self-Consciousness

Effects of Maharishi Yoga Asanas on Mood States, Happiness, and Experiences during Meditation

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