Integrated phenomenology and brain connectivity demonstrate changes in nonlinear processing in jhana advanced meditation
bioRxiv – November 29, 2024
Source: medRxiv/bioRxiv/arXiv
Summary
Meditation can profoundly alter brain function. This study explored how advanced concentrative meditation, known as jhana, affects neural connectivity. By analyzing EEG data from a highly experienced meditator, researchers found that non-oscillatory brain dynamics are key to understanding this meditative state. These insights reveal a unique balance in processing information, enhancing our understanding of consciousness and attention.
Abstract
We present a neurophenomenological case study investigating distinct neural connectivity regimes during an advanced concentrative absorption meditation called jhana (ACAM-J),characterized by highly-stable attention and mental absorption. Using EEG recordings and phenomenological ratings (29 sessions) from a meditator with +20,000 hours of practice, we evaluated connectivity metrics tracking distinct large-scale neural interactions: nonlinear (WSMI and Directed Information), capturing non-oscillatory dynamics; and linear (WPLI) connectivity metrics, capturing oscillatory synchrony. Results demonstrate ACAM-J are better distinguished by non-oscillatory compared to oscillatory dynamics across multiple frequency ranges. Furthermore, combining attention-related phenomenological ratings with WSMI improves Bayesian decoding of ACAM-J compared to neural metrics alone. Crucially, deeper ACAM-J indicate an equalization of feedback and feedforward processes, suggesting a balance of internally- and externally-driven information processing. The results from this intensively sampled case study are a promising initial step in revealing the distinct neural dynamics during ACAM-J, offering insights into refined conscious states and highlighting the value of nonlinear neurophenomenological approaches to studying attentional states.