Dynamic characteristics of modified consciousness during and after transcendental meditation

Abstract

Dynamic features of the meditative state in 11 subjects practicing the Transcendental Meditation Program are analyzed. In each subject, an electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded from the frontal areas before, during, and after meditation. The transition to a meditative state was marked on the EEG by a decrease in the power of slow delta and theta waves, no significant change in alpha-wave activity, and a very marked increase in beta-wave activity. The changes detected in the spectral distributions on the EEG in the meditative state tended to persist after the return to the control state. Key Words: electroencephalographic rhythms; Transcendental MeditationStudies of electrical activity in the brain of persons in modified states of consciousness have demonstrated a wide diversity of responses corresponding to those states [1,2,5,6]. Most studies of this type were aimed at finding electrophysiological correlates of the particular consciousness-modifying techniques used. The dynamic attributes of altered states of consciousness (e.g., their stability, inertness, and relation to control states) have been addressed to a much lesser extent. The lack of such information hampers understanding of the mechanisms underlying modified states of consciousness.In the present experimental study we analyzed dynamic characteristics of the meditative state in individuals practicing the ]~ranscendental Meditation (TM) Program [4]. We chose this program, which currently represents one of the most readily accessible and widely used TM techniques, as a possible model of consciousness modification. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe experiment was conducted on 11 subjects (8 men and 3 women) ranging in age from 23 to 46 years (mean age, 39) and selected from the student body and service personnef of the Maharishi International University. All the subjects had been practicing TM for 1 to 1.5 years and none of them had used any other technique of self-regulation prior to the experiment.The control states of the subjects were periods of relaxation with the eyes shut before and after TM. The TM session lasted 5 min and the control states 2.5 min each.During the above-mentioned functional states, the total electrical activity of the brain was recorded electroencephalographically in a soundproof chamber from frontal points Fpl and Fp2 (according to the 10-20 system) in the bipolar mode using an Interactive Brainwave Visual Analyzer, a two-channel instrument for telemetric recording of biopotentials. For the bipolar leads, disk electrodes were used, placed 1.5 cm apart and fixed on a special tape encircling the subject's head. The electroencephalograms (EEGs) were re-

Effect ofSahajaYoga Meditation on Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Blood Pressure Control

“…16 The unique EEG patterns observed in Sahaja yoga meditation distinguishes it from the other two popular meditation practices in the West-the Transcendental meditation (TM), in which practitioners repeat a word or phrase silently to quiet and ultimately transcend the internal mental dialogue, and the Mindfulness meditation, in which practitioners simply observe or attend to thoughts, emotions, sensations, or perceptions without judgments. 17 During TM practice, the inconsistent a amplitude, 18,19 decreased h activity, 20 and higher EEG complexity 21 suggest a possible adverse effect on consciousness. In Mindfulness meditation, asymmetric a activation was observed, 22 which was shown to be associated with increased defensiveness 23 and disproportional anger.…”