Autonomic and EEG Patterns during Eyes-Closed Rest and Transcendental Meditation (TM) Practice: The Basis for a Neural Model of TM Practice

Travis, Frederick; Wallace, Robert K.

doi:10.1006/ccog.1999.0403

Cited by 145 publications

(130 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…These studies have shown increased EEG coherence during Transcendental Meditation (e.g. Gaylord et al, 1989;Levine, 1976;Travis and Orme-Johnson, 1989;Travis et al, 2002; experienced practitioners of Transcendental Meditation as well as novices showed increased alpha coherence compared to resting (Dillbeck and Bronson, 1981;Travis, 2001;Travis and Wallace, 1999). Zenmeditation reportedly increased alpha coherence in meditation novices (Murata et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Reduced functional connectivity between cortical sources in five meditation traditions detected with lagged coherence using EEG tomography

Lehmann¹,

Faber²,

Tei

et al. 2012

NeuroImage

141

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Brain functional states are established by functional connectivities between brain regions. In experienced meditators (13 Tibetan Buddhists, 15 QiGong, 14 Sahaja Yoga, 14 Ananda Marga Yoga, 15 Zen), 19-channel EEG was recorded before, during and after that meditation exercise which their respective tradition regards as route to the most desirable meditative state. The head surface EEG data were recomputed (sLORETA) into 19 cortical regional source model time series. All 171 functional connectivities between regions were computed as 'lagged coherence' for the eight EEG frequency bands (delta through gamma). This analysis removes ambiguities of localization, volume conduction-induced inflation of coherence, and reference-dependence. All significant differences (corrected for multiple testing) between meditation compared to no-task rest before and after meditation showed lower coherence during meditation, in all five traditions and eight (inhibitory as well as excitatory) frequency bands. Conventional coherence between the original head surface EEG time series very predominantly also showed reduced coherence during meditation. The topography of the functional connectivities was examined via PCAbased computation of principal connectivities. When going into and out of meditation, significantly different connectivities revealed clearly different topographies in the delta frequency band and minor differences in the beta-2 band. The globally reduced functional interdependence between brain regions in meditation suggests that interaction between the self process functions is minimized, and that constraints on the self process by other processes are minimized, thereby leading to the subjective experience of noninvolvement, detachment and letting go, as well as of all-oneness and dissolution of ego borders during meditation. AbstractBrain functional states are established by functional connectivities between brain regions. In experienced meditators (13 Tibetan Buddhists, 15 QiGong, 14 Sahaja Yoga, 14 Ananda Marga Yoga, 15 Zen), 19-channel EEG was recorded before, during and after that meditation exercise which their respective tradition regards as route to the most desirable meditative state. The head surface EEG data were recomputed (sLORETA) into 19 cortical regional source model time series. All 171 functional connectivities between regionswere computed as 'lagged coherence' for the eight EEG frequency bands (delta through gamma). This analysis removes ambiguities of localization, volume conduction-induced inflation of coherence, and reference-dependence. All significant differences (corrected for multiple testing) between meditation compared to no-task rest before and after meditation showed lower coherence during meditation, in all five traditions and eight (inhibitory as well as excitatory) frequency bands. Conventional coherence between the original head surface EEG time series very predominantly also showed reduced coherence during meditation. The topography of the functional connectivities was examined ...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Reduced functional connectivity between cortical sources in five meditation traditions detected with lagged coherence using EEG tomography

Lehmann¹,

Faber²,

Tei

et al. 2012

NeuroImage

141

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…[31][32][33] Research also shows a more coherent and integrated style of brain functioning, evidenced by EEG imaging, which is associated with lower stress reactivity. 34,35 This research may provide possible explanations for how TM practice may reduce trauma symptoms in incarcerated women.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Transcendental Meditation and Reduced Trauma Symptoms in Female Inmates: A Randomized Controlled Study

Nidich

Seng

Compton

et al. 2017

TPJ

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Context: Compared with the general population, trauma experiences are higher among incarcerated women.Objective: To evaluate the effects of Transcendental Meditation (TM) on trauma symptoms in female offenders.Design: Twenty-two inmates at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, OR, with at least 4 months left of incarceration were enrolled in this randomized controlled pilot study. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the TM group (n = 11) or a wait-list control group (n = 11).Main Outcome Measures: Subjects were measured at baseline and 4-month posttest using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C; primary outcome) with intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and hyperarousal subscales (secondary outcomes). Twenty of the subjects (10 in each group) took part in their treatment assignment and completed posttesting.Results: Significant reductions were found on total trauma (p < 0.036), intrusive thoughts (p < 0.026), and hyperarousal (p < 0.043) on the PCL-C. Effect sizes ranged from 0.65 to 0.99 for all variables. Eighty-one percent of the TM subjects were compliant with their program. Conclusion:The results of this study indicate feasibility of the TM program in a female prison population and suggest that TM may be an effective tool for decreasing trauma symptoms. Future large-scale research is warranted.

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“…Moreover, increased alpha-theta range coherence 15 among recording sites has been observed intra-and inter-hemispherically during religious experience (Dillbeck and Bronson 1981;Badawi et al 1984;Gaylord et al 1989;Travis and Wallace 1999;Aftanas and Golocheikine 2001;Travis 2001;Faber et al 2004;Hebert et al 2005).…”

Section: Commentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is our brain hardwired to produce God, or is our brain hardwired to perceive God? A systematic review on the role of the brain in mediating religious experience

Fingelkurts

2009

Cogn Process

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To figure out whether the main empirical question "Is our brain hardwired to believe in and produce God, or is our brain hardwired to perceive and experience God?" is answered, this paper presents systematic critical review of the positions, arguments and controversies of each side of the neuroscientific-theological debate and puts forward an integral view where the human is seen as a psycho-somatic entity consisting of the multiple levels and dimensions of human existence (physical, biological, psychological, and spiritual reality), allowing consciousness/mind/spirit and brain/body/matter to be seen as different sides of the same phenomenon, neither reducible to each other. The emergence of a form of causation distinctive from physics where mental/conscious agency (a) is neither identical with nor reducible to brain processes and (b) does exert "downward" causal influence on brain plasticity and the various levels of brain functioning is discussed. This manuscript also discusses the role of cognitive processes in religious experience and outlines what can neuroscience offer for study of religious experience and what is the significance of this study for neuroscience, clinicians, theology and philosophy. A methodological shift from "explanation" to "description" of religious experience is suggested. This paper contributes to the ongoing discussion between theologians, cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists.

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Autonomic and EEG Patterns during Eyes-Closed Rest and Transcendental Meditation (TM) Practice: The Basis for a Neural Model of TM Practice

Cited by 145 publications

References 50 publications

Reduced functional connectivity between cortical sources in five meditation traditions detected with lagged coherence using EEG tomography

Reduced functional connectivity between cortical sources in five meditation traditions detected with lagged coherence using EEG tomography

Transcendental Meditation and Reduced Trauma Symptoms in Female Inmates: A Randomized Controlled Study

Is our brain hardwired to produce God, or is our brain hardwired to perceive God? A systematic review on the role of the brain in mediating religious experience

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