This report summarizes the achievements of the first phase of the research project “Psychophysiological Monitoring of States of Consciousness as a Tool for Assistance in Meditation” a collaboration between Dr. Thilo Hinterberger at Freiburg University, Germany and the Beckley Foundation. 2 Expanding vocabulary The main purpose of the research outlined here was to develop a [...]
Meditation
Meditation is both an ancient spiritual practice as well as a contemporary technique for relaxing the body and calming the mind. It is recognized as a component of almost all religions, and has been practiced for over 5,000 years. Research suggests that meditation is of therapeutic advantage in the treatment of many clinical disorders such as epilepsy, although the basis of this effect in terms of electrical brain activity and other processes is unclear.
The Beckley Foundation has carried out numerous research collaborations investigating the neurobiological basis of the meditative experience. We have discovered the meditation is associated with dramatic modulations of brain activity. We are planning to investigate the role that neurotransmitters and changes in blood supply play in the higher states of consciousness brought about by meditation.
