The contemplative exercise through the lenses of predictive processing: A promising approach

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Contemplative Studies

Background:

• Predictive processing, as articulated by Karl Friston, provides a broad neurobiological framework.
• This theory explains diverse processes like perception, action, attention, and learning under free-energy minimization.
• Contemplative research has grown rapidly but lacks a unifying theoretical structure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose predictive processing as a unitary framework for contemplative research.
• To theoretically organize the growing body of meditation research.
• To deepen the understanding of meditation-related processes.

Main Methods:

• Introduction to the core concepts of predictive processing.
• Application of predictive processing to meditative practices, using shikantaza as an example.
• Discussion of experimental paradigms for testing predictive processing in meditation.

Main Results:

• Predictive processing offers a coherent framework for understanding neurobiological and contemplative processes.
• The theory can unify diverse findings in meditation research.
• Specific experimental approaches can be derived from this framework.

Conclusions:

• The predictive processing framework can significantly advance contemplative science.
• Applying this theory to meditation, such as shikantaza, provides novel insights.
• Further research using proposed experimental paradigms is warranted.