Electrophysiological Correlates of Higher States of Consciousness During Sleep in Long-Term

Abstract

Standard ambulatory night sleep electroencephalograph (EEG) of 11 long-term practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program reporting "higher states of consciousness" during sleep (the experimental group) was compared to that of nine short-term practitioners and 11 non-practitioners. EEG tracings during stages 3 and 4 sleep showed the experimental group to have: 1) theta-alpha activity simultaneously with delta activity and 2) decreased chin electromyograph (EMG) during deep sleep (p = 0.002) compared to short-term practitioners. Spectral analysis fast Fourier transform (FFT) data of the first three cycles showed that: 3) the experimental subjects had significantly greater theta 2 (6-8 Hz)-alpha 1 (8-10 Hz) relative power during stages 3 and 4 than the combined control groups [t(30) = 5.5, p = 0.0000008] with no difference in time in delta; 4) there was a graded difference across groups during stages 3 and 4 in theta 2-alpha 1 power, with experimentals having greater power than short-term practitioners, who in turn had greater power than non-practitioners [t(30) = 5.08, p = 0.00002]; and 5) experimentals also had increased rapid eye movement (REM) density during REM periods compared to short-term practitioners (p = 0.04). Previous studies have found increased theta-alpha EEG activity during reported periods of "transcendental consciousness" during the TM technique. In the Vedic tradition, as described by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, transcendental consciousness is the first of a sequence of higher states. The maintenance of transcendental consciousness along with deep sleep is said to be a distinctive criterion of further, stabilized higher states of consciousness. The findings of this study are interpreted as physiological support for this model.

Induction of lucid dreams: A systematic review of evidence

“…While to our knowledge, none of lucid dreams has been recorded in NREM3 stage of sleep, self-awareness in deep sleep might also be possible (cf. Mason et al, 1997). Hobson (2009) proposes that lucid dreaming represent a dissociative state with elements of both waking and dreaming, while the alternative hypothesis is that REM sleep (and perhaps to some extent NREM sleep as well) is capable of supporting reflective consciousness (LaBerge, 2010).…”

Review of Controlled Research on the Transcendental Meditation Program and Cardiovascular Disease

“…Evidence of the reality of these higher states includes descriptions in the Vedic literature, personal reports of practitioners of the TM program, and a growing body of empiric studies, all of which indicate these states confer greater abilities for successful interactions with internal and external environments. 9,22,23,[25][26][27] The ability of the TM technique to reduce the risk for CVD is probably most directly related to its ability to lower psychosocial stress and to correct deleterious effects of stress. Evidence supporting these effects and the restoration of adaptive mechanisms by this technique is more than suggestive.28-32 Adaptive mechanisms involving the autonomic nervous system, neuroendocrine axes, and the cardiovascular and immune systems are responsible for maintaining a stable and efficient functional state of the physiology through the changing conditions of life.33-35 These mechanisms are altered by psychosocial stress in ways that decrease their ability to foster effective adaptation, and this appears to cause both physical and mental declines.…”

Individual Trait Anxiety Levels Characterizing the Properties of Zen Meditation

“…Meditation is the attainment of a deeply restful yet fully alert state practiced as a self-regulatory approach to stress reduction and emotion management [1][2][3]. Relaxation can be induced by meditation, for example, sitting quietly with eyes closed and with a relaxed accepting attitude [4].…”