Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
January 14, 2024
Winson Fu Zun Yang, Avijit Chowdhury, Marta Bianciardi et al.
41 citations
Jhanas are profound meditative states that can deconstruct ordinary consciousness, according to a case study of an adept meditator. Using 4 hours of 7T fMRI data collected across 27 sessions, the study identified distinctive brain activity patterns in cortical, subcortical, brainstem, and cerebellar regions during jhana meditation. Correlations between brain activity and phenomenological qualities of attention, jhanic qualities, and narrative processing showed that jhanas differ from non-meditative states. The findings suggest jhana practice offers unique insights into consciousness and potential benefits for mental health and well-being.
Neuroimage
December 14, 2024
Avijit Chowdhury, Marta Bianciardi, Eric Chapdelaine et al.
14 citations
Advanced meditation states known as Jhanas, achieved through concentration absorption, are associated with distinct patterns of brain activity and subjective experience. In an intensive case study of an experienced meditator, each Jhana state showed unique neural signatures, including changes in gamma power, alpha desynchronization, and connectivity between frontal and parietal regions. These findings suggest that Jhana states are not merely variations of ordinary mindfulness but involve specific, reproducible neurophenomenological profiles. The work demonstrates that deep meditative absorption can be systematically studied using multimodal brain imaging and first-person reports, providing a foundation for understanding altered states of consciousness.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
November 13, 2025
Winson F Z Yang, Ruby Potash, Grace Mackin et al.
preprint
Advanced concentration absorption meditation (ACAM-J) produces a distinct, structured mode of awareness characterized by stable positive states and reduced narrative thought. In the first ultra-high-field (7T) fMRI study of jhana meditation, neural trajectories across eight successive states showed reorganization from anterior to posterior brain regions, flattening of cortical hierarchies, and nonlinear changes in global brain harmonics. These brain changes were tightly linked to equanimity, attentional stability, and behavior. Brain activity patterns associated with ACAM-J related more to attentional monitoring than to suffering-related processes. The findings suggest advanced meditation offers a framework for understanding psychological transformation and supporting human well-being.