Dynamic brain states underlying advanced concentrative absorption meditation: A 7-T fMRI-intensive case study.

Advanced meditation involves states and stages that develop with experience. A case study using 7-T fMRI and dynamic functional connectivity analysis of a meditator practicing jhāna advanced absorptive concentration meditation (ACAM-J) identified three distinct brain states: a default-mode network (DMN)-anticorrelated state, a hyperconnected state, and a sparsely connected state. The DMN-anticorrelated state was more prevalent during ACAM-J than control conditions and increased with deeper meditation. The hyperconnected state, marked by elevated thalamocortical and somatomotor connectivity, was also more common during ACAM-J but decreased over the session, corresponding to reports of wider attention and reduced physical sensations. This suggests that functional neuroimaging can track the dynamics of altered states of consciousness in advanced meditators.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Advanced meditation consists of states and stages of practice that unfold with mastery and time. Dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) analysis of fMRI could identify brain states underlying advanced meditation. We conducted an intensive DFC case study of a meditator who completed 27 runs of jhāna advanced absorptive concentration meditation (ACAM-J), concurrently with 7-T fMRI and phenomenological reporting. We identified three brain states that marked differences between ACAM-J and nonmeditative control conditions. These states were characterized as a DMN-anticorrelated brain state, a hyperconnected brain state, and a sparsely connected brain state. Our analyses indicate higher prevalence of the DMN-anticorrelated brain state during ACAM-J than control states, and the prevalence increased significantly with deeper ACAM-J states. The hyperconnected brain state was also more common during ACAM-J and was characterized by elevated thalamocortical connectivity and somatomotor network connectivity. The hyperconnected brain state significantly decreased over the course of ACAM-J, associating with self-reports of wider attention and diminished physical sensations. This brain state may be related to sensory awareness. Advanced meditators have developed well-honed abilities to move in and out of different altered states of consciousness, and this study provides initial evidence that functional neuroimaging can objectively track their dynamics.