Metodo

International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Journal | Volume | Article

142772

A case study of a meditation-induced altered state

increased overall gamma synchronization

Aviva Berkovich-Ohana

pp. 91-106

Abstract

This study presents two case reports of altered states spontaneously occurring during meditation in two proficient practitioners. These states, known as fruition, are common within the Mahasi School of Theravada Buddhism, and are considered the culmination of contemplation-induced stages of consciousness. Here, electrophysiological measures of these experiences were measured, with the participant's personal reports used to guide the neural analyzes. The preliminary results demonstrate an increase in global long-range gamma (25–45 Hz) synchronization during the fruition states, compared to the background meditation. The discrepancies and similarities with other neuroscientific studies of meditation-induced altered states are discussed. Albeit preliminary, the results presented here provide support for the possibility - previously raised by various authors - that long-range global gamma synchronization may offer an underlying mechanism for un-learning of habitual conditioning and mental patterns, possibly underpinning the neural correlate of the Buddhist concept of liberation. Finally, this pilot study highlights the utility of employing neuro-phenomenology, namely using first-person reports to guide neural analyzes, in the study of subtle human consciousness states.

Publication details

Published in:

Meacham Darian, ter Meulen Ruud, Allouche Sylvie (2017) Critiquing technologies of the mind. Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences 16 (1).

Pages: 91-106

DOI: 10.1007/s11097-015-9435-x

Full citation:

Berkovich-Ohana Aviva (2017) „A case study of a meditation-induced altered state: increased overall gamma synchronization“. Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences 16 (1), 91–106.