What it means to be Zen: marked modulations of local and interareal synchronization during open monitoring meditation.

ABSTRACT: Experienced meditators are able to voluntarily modulate their state of consciousness and attention. In the present study, we took advantage of this ability and studied brain activity related to the shift of mental state. Electrophysiological activity, i.e. EEG, was recorded from 11 subjects with varying degrees of meditation experience during Zen meditation (a form of open monitoring meditation) and during non-meditation rest. On a behavioral level, mindfulness scores were assessed using the Mindfulness Attention and Awareness Scale (MAAS). Analysis of EEG source power revealed the so far unreported finding that MAAS scores significantly correlated with gamma power (30-250Hz), particularly high-frequency gamma (100-245Hz), during meditation. High levels of mindfulness were related to incre

SUBMITTER: Hauswald A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4359616 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature