Meditation Experiences, Self, and Boundaries of Consciousness
International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine January 1, 2016 Ravinder Jerath 8 citations
The brain integrates signals from the five senses with internal bodily signals to create a unified sense of reality, but how this happens is not fully explained. The authors expand a previously proposed three-dimensional model of consciousness, suggesting that sensory inputs are superimposed onto an existing internal dynamic space—the body's internal 3D default space—after a slight delay. Examples from meditation illustrate how practices that achieve cardio-respiratory synchronization and brain coherence can induce a parasympathetic-dominant state, allowing an experience of the inner self. Understanding this physical and functional space may clarify memory and cognition and help clinicians treat mind disorders by recommending stress-reduction techniques alongside medication.