An algorithmic agent model of pure awareness and minimal experiences
Edmundo Lopez-sola, Roser Sanchez-todo, Jakub Vohryzek, Giulio Ruffini
Philosophy and the Mind Sciences May 27, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.33735/phimisci.2026.12136 via OpenAlex
Summary
Pure awareness, a state with minimal mental content described in contemplative traditions, can be understood through a computational framework where agents build compressed models of the world. This state may arise from the agent's model of its own modeling process, occurring during meditation, psychedelic use, or other deconstructive practices. The framework links phenomenology, dynamical systems, and computation, and can be tested using whole-brain predictive processing models grounded in meditation and psychedelic research.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical review |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Pure awareness may correspond to experiences with minimal structure arising from the agent's model of its own modeling process, as explored through the algorithmic agent model. |
Abstract
The phenomenon of “pure awareness”, central to many contemplative traditions, has recently attracted scientific interest for its relevance to the study of consciousness. In this paper, we investigate pure awareness through the algorithmic agent model, a computational framework with roots in algorithmic information theory. This framework proposes that agents build compressive models of the world, and that structured experience arises from running such models. By linking phenomenology, dynamical systems theory, and computation, the algorithmic agent model offers a useful framework for investigating experiences with minimal structure or phenomenal content. We propose that pure awareness, as a stand-alone phenomenon, may correspond to experiences with minimal structure achieved through meditation, psychedelics, or other deconstructive practices. To illustrate this, we explore how such experiences may arise through jhāna meditation. A key hypothesis is that the phenomenology of pure awareness arises from a specific model: the agent's model of its own modeling process. We argue that the agent's recognition of the modeling process can occur alongside other phenomenal content, as in non-dual awareness. We also outline how these ideas can be explored through whole-brain computational models based on predictive processing theory, and empirically grounded in meditation and psychedelic research.