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Combining Behavior and EEG to Study the Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Episodic Memory
Published on: May 11, 2020
Meditation and attention: a comment on a recent article.
Shirley Telles1, K V Naveen, Acharya Balkrishna
1Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India. shirleytelles@gmail.com
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|February 16, 2011
Summary
Meditation involves focusing attention (dharana) or effortless awareness (dhyana). Ancient yoga texts offer insights into these attention states, differentiating them from modern concepts.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Contemplative Studies
Background:
- Contemporary meditation models propose focusing attention (FA) or outward monitoring (OM).
- Ancient Indian texts describe dharana (focused attention) and dhyana (effortless awareness).
- These ancient stages differ subtly from current FA and OM concepts.
Discussion:
- Dharana requires active attention, while dhyana involves effortless, sustained focus.
- Previous research indicated dharana practice enhanced selective attention tasks.
- Brainstem auditory evoked potentials differed between dharana and dhyana states.
Key Insights:
- Dhyana, the true meditative state, excludes the need for vigilance or active attention.
- Ancient yogic descriptions provide a nuanced understanding of meditation and attention.
- Objective assessments can validate these contemplative practices.
Outlook:
- Further research can explore the neural correlates of dhyana.
- Integrating ancient wisdom with modern cognitive science deepens meditation understanding.
- Objective measures can aid in validating and refining meditation techniques.
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