Beyond mindfulness: Arousal-driven modulation of attentional control during arousal-based practices.
Maria Kozhevnikov, Alina Veronika Irene Strasser, Elizabeth Mcdougal, Rupali Dhond, Geoffrey Samuel
Current research in neurobiology January 1, 2022 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2022.100053 via PubMed
Summary
Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhist) practices that modulate attentional control through arousal, rather than continuous monitoring of thoughts, lead to a unique state of high cortical excitability and reduced attentional control. In 16 experienced practitioners, generation-stage (Yidam) and completion-with-sign (Tummo) techniques produced parasympathetic withdrawal and phasic alertness, reflected in decreased heart rate variability and increased alpha2 power. Subsequent Tantric Mahamudra showed power reductions in all EEG frequency bands except theta, indicating non-selective focused attention. Non-Tantric Mahamudra resembled mindfulness practices, with parasympathetic dominance, tonic alertness, and active monitoring.
Study at a glance
| Design | observational study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 16 |
| Population | highly experienced Vajrayana practitioners |
| Key finding | Tantric Mahamudra, preceded by arousal-based generation or completion stages, produces a state of high cortical excitability and reduced attentional control, distinct from the relaxation and active monitoring seen in non-Tantric Mahamudra. |
Abstract
Here we report meditative techniques, which modulate attentional control by arousal-driven influences and not by monitoring continuous thought processes as during mindfulness-related practices. We focus on Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism) practices, during which a sequence of generation (self-visualization as a deity - Yidam) or completion with sign (inner heat -Tummo) stages necessarily precedes non-dual awareness (NDA) Tantric Mahamudra. We compared the electrocardiographic and electroencephalographic correlates of Mahamudra performed after rest (non-Tantric Mahamudra) with Mahamudra performed after Yidam (Tantric Mahamudra) in 16 highly experienced Vajrayana practitioners, 10 of whom also performed Tummo. Both Yidam and Tummo developed the state of PNS withdrawal (arousal) and phasic alertness, as reflected by HF HRV decreases and Alpha2 power increases, later neurophysiologically employed in Tantric Mahamudra. The latter led to the unique state of high cortical excitability, "non-selective" focused attention, and significantly reduced attentional control, quantified by power reductions in all frequency bands, except Theta. In contrast, similar to mindfulness-related practices, non-Tantric Mahamudra was performed in a state of PNS dominance (relaxation), tonic alertness, and active monitoring, as suggested by Alpha1 power increases and less pronounced decreases in other frequency bands. A neurobiological model of meditation is proposed, differentiating arousal-based and mindfulness-related practices.