The Sphere Model of Consciousness: From Geometrical to Neuro-Psycho-Educational Perspectives

Silence is an important aspect of various meditation practices, but little work has focused specifically on the underlying neurophysiology of silence-related meditative practice, and on how it relates to the self-reported experiences of practitioners. To expand current knowledge regarding the neurophenomenology of silence in meditation, we directly investigated first-person reports of silence-related experiences during the practice of Quadrato Motor Training (QMT) and their association with changes in fractional anisotropy (FA). Participants recorded their cognitive, emotional, and physical experiences upon beginning QMT and again after 6 weeks of QMT practice. These reports were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. Findings showed that change between the two time points in self-reported silence-related experiences was negatively correlated with change in attentional effort, and positively correlated with changes in the left uncinate fasciculus. These results expand current knowledge regarding the neuroanatomical correlates of silence-related experiences during meditation.

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Correlates of Silence: Enhanced Microstructural Changes in the Uncinate Fasciculus

Ben‐Soussan¹,

Marson

Piervincenzi

et al. 2020

“…As such, the new experience of equidistance from aspects of experience can be placed in the center of the sphere, which is referred to as the Place of Pre-Existence (PPE). This state of neutrality and detachment from the usual experiences of the Minimal and Narrative Selves is related to a third state, realized at the center of the sphere, defined in the SMC as Overcoming of the Self (Paoletti and Ben-Soussan, 2019). This state is further conceptualized as a state defined in the literature as consciousness without content, or non-dual awareness (Travis and Pearson, 2000;Raffone and Srinivasan, 2009;Metzinger, 2018;Josipovic, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the Jerath et al (2015) model, the 3D default space is composed of all cells of the body and the thalamus fills in processed sensory information from corticothalamic feedback loops, resulting in the re-creation of the internal and external worlds within the mind. The use of the sphere shape as a matrix is a distinct feature of the SMC, which refers to the geometrical properties of this figure in describing the phenomenology of subjective experience (Paoletti and Ben-Soussan, 2019) and especially the experience of non-dual consciousness (as investigated by Josipovic, 2014;Vago and Zeidan, 2016;Vieten et al, 2018). In the SMC, the three intersecting axes of a sphere spatially represent the unfolding possible dynamics and polarity of experience, in terms of temporality (past-future), emotion (pleasant-unpleasant), and self-determination, which signifies intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation (see Figure 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, PPEt relies on the metaphor of an empty place (Paoletti and Bombi, 2016) for detachment, which characterizes the state of Overcoming of the Self. This metaphor presumably induces the practitioner to overcome the dichotomous perception of emotion (pleasant versus unpleasant) and time (past versus future) (Paoletti and Ben-Soussan, 2019). In this context, intentional silence (Pinder and Harlos, 2001;Paoletti and Selvaggio, 2012;Bigo, 2018) is believed to facilitate closeness to the center of the sphere.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Dynamics of the Sphere Model of Consciousness: Silence, Space, and Self

Pintimalli

Giuseppe²,

Serantoni³

et al. 2020

The Sphere Model of Consciousness (SMC) delineates a sphere-shaped matrix that aims to describe subjective experiences using geometric coordinates, in accordance with a neurophenomenological perspective. According to the SMC, an experience of overcoming the habitual self and the conditioning of memories could be placed at the center of the matrix, which can then be called the Place of Pre-Existence (PPE). The PPE is causally associated with self-determination. In this context, we suggest that silence could be considered an intentional inner environment enabling self-perception to focus on the "here and now," which in turn improves perception of one's own body in space. To investigate the hypotheses grounded in the model, the current preliminary study examined the Place of Pre-Existence Technique (PPEt), in which practitioners are guided to focus on a self-defined aim, reach a state of detachment from the habitual self, and envision the future. Four-hundred eighty-one volunteer PPEt practitioners completed self-report questionnaires before and after an intensive 3-day meditative training. We analyzed potential relationships between subjective experiences related to physical, emotional, mental, temporal, and spatial components, as well as selfdetermination and silence, before and after training. The results indicated a transition from a prevailing influence of mental dimension on the other aspects of experience, to a prevailing influence of the spatial dimension. Silence was reported more often following the training and was predominantly related to mental and emotional experiences. The results are discussed in the framework of the SMC, as compared to other models, and in relation to the shift from Narrative to Minimal Self and to increased balance among the considered dimensions.

“…The OVO WBPD chamber (in the shape of an egg; see Glicksohn et al, 2017 , 2019 ; Ben-Soussan et al, 2018 ; Figure 1 ), created by Patrizio Paoletti and based on his Sphere Model of Consciousness ( Paoletti, 2002 ; Paoletti and Ben-Soussan, 2019 ; Paoletti and Soussan, 2020 ), is located in the Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, at the Research Institute for Neuroscience, Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti, Assisi, Italy. The chamber was flooded with white light, followed by red light and indigo light (in a counterbalanced order across participants), enabling a totally immersive WBPD.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immersion, Absorption, and Spiritual Experience: Some Preliminary Findings

Glicksohn

Ben‐Soussan²

2020

Many traditions have utilized silent environments to induce altered states of consciousness and spiritual experiences. Neurocognitive explorations of spiritual experience can aid in understanding the underlying mechanism, but these are surprisingly rare. We present the verbal report and the electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha profile of a female participant scoring a maximal 34 on the Absorption Scale, recorded before and while she was immersed in a whole-body perceptual deprivation (WBPD) tank. We analyze her trancelike experience in terms of the imagery reported: a spaceship, corridors, doors, a man dressed in white, speaking to God, the sun, supernova, concentric images, and an out-of-body experience. Her report is indicative of a spiritual experience, given that she felt that she was “meeting God” in the laboratory. She exhibited both frontal and parietal left > right alpha power asymmetry at baseline, whereas in the WBPD condition, there was a global increase in alpha power and especially a sharp increase in right-frontal alpha power. Her verbal report and EEG alpha profile were compared to those of another female participant, also scoring high on absorption, whose verbal report was also indicative of a trancelike experience. For further comparison, we present the data for two participants scoring low on absorption. Spiritual experience that can be verbalized might be associated with a marked increase in right-frontal alpha power, as reported here. In contrast, a mystical experience characterized by ineffability would be indicated by a marked increase in left-frontal alpha power.