bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Ruby M. Potash, Sean D. Van Mil, Mar Estarellas et al.
4 citations
preprint
During a deep meditative state called jhana, the brain's non-oscillatory, nonlinear neural activity—rather than oscillatory synchrony—best distinguishes the state from ordinary waking consciousness. In a single highly experienced meditator (over 20,000 hours of practice) studied across 29 sessions, EEG recordings showed that combining subjective ratings of attention with a nonlinear connectivity metric improved the ability to decode the meditative state compared to using neural measures alone. Deeper jhana states were marked by a balance between feedback and feedforward neural processes, indicating an equalization of internally and externally directed information processing. These findings suggest that refined conscious states involve distinct large-scale neural dynamics not captured by traditional oscillatory measures.
bioRxiv Preprint Server
September 19, 2025
Kenneth Shinozuka, Winson F.z. Yang, Ruby M. Potash et al.
3 citations
preprint
Advanced meditators can enter a state called extended cessation (EC) in which they intentionally suppress consciousness and later emerge with clarity and equanimity. In the first electrophysiological study of EC, five meditators were recorded with EEG and MEG. EC markedly reduced alpha power and tended to increase neural complexity, unlike sleep, anesthesia, or disorders of consciousness. The findings indicate that the neural correlates of EC are distinct from other unconscious states and that complexity alone is not sufficient for consciousness, offering new insights into advanced meditation and human flourishing.
bioRxiv
September 25, 2025
Jakub Vohryzek, Edmundo Lopez-Sola, Winson F.z. Yang et al.
preprint
Advanced concentrative absorption meditation (jhāna) produces a shift in brain dynamics toward near-criticality, a state of heightened flexibility and integration. Using 7T fMRI and whole-brain modeling, the study found that later absorption states, considered minimal phenomenal experiences, show increased large-scale functional integration and a shift of the default mode network from a noise-driven regime to near-critical dynamics. This near-critical regime is interpreted as a form of openness, where constrained brain activity gives way to greater flexibility, correlating with broader attention and reduced narrative thought. The trajectory of these states is non-linear, with major reconfigurations at key meditative milestones.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
August 1, 2024
K. Abellaneda-Pérez, Ruby M. Potash, Á. Pascual-Leone et al.
Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) can help researchers investigate the neural mechanisms underlying meditation's beneficial effects on well-being and consciousness. Prior research has mainly targeted frontal and parietal cortices, suggesting NIBS might boost meditation's behavioral and neural effects. NIBS has also revealed distinct neural signatures in long-term meditators. However, methodological variations across studies make definitive interpretation of results challenging. Future work should focus on core substrates of meditation, including specific brain networks and oscillations, and causal mechanisms of advanced meditation. Overall, NIBS-meditation research holds promise for enhancing meditation-based interventions in both non-clinical and clinical populations.