Self-transcending meditation is good for mental health: why this should be the case.
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England) June 1, 2016 Alex Hankey, Rashmi Shetkar 24 citations
A recently proposed theory defines health as optimal regulation, which in biological systems corresponds to 'criticality'—a state in complexity biology that maximizes information processing and sensitivity to external stimuli. Criticality appears universal in biology and may optimize regulation, linking health to a scientific concept. In brain cortices and mental health, criticality is the condition that makes self-awareness possible and is strengthened by meditation practices leading to pure consciousness, a content-free state of mind. From this, healthy function of the brain cortex, its sensitivity, and consistency of response to external challenges should improve through techniques that transcend the original focus introduced during practice. Evidence for this is reviewed.