Multimodal neurophenomenology of advanced concentration absorption meditation: An intensively sampled case study of Jhana.
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.