Alterations in the sense of time, space, and body in the mindfulness-trained brain: a neurophenomenologically-guided MEG study

摘要: Meditation practice can lead to what have been referred as 'altered states of consciousness'. One the phenomenological characteristics these is a joint alteration in sense time, space and body. Here, we set out study unique experiences time by collaborating with select group 12 long-term Mindfulness meditation practitioners neurophenomenological setup, utilizing first-person data guide neural analyses. We hypothesized that underlying activity accompanying alterations would be related bodily processing. The participants were asked volitionally bring about distinct 'Timelessness' (outside time) 'Spacelessness' space) while their brain was recorded MEG. In order rule involvement attention, memory or imagination, used control 'Then' (past) 'There' (another place). MEG sensors evidencing power values identified, regions changes estimated via spatial filtering (beamforming). Particularly, searched for similar underlie both state 'Spacelessness'. results mostly confined theta band, showed that: 1) / overlap yielded autobiographic imagery (right posterior parietal lobule, right precentral middle frontal gyrus, bilateral precuneus); 2) conditions overlapped different network, body (posterior cingulate, temporoparietal junction, cerebellum); 3) phenomenologically-guided analyses enabled us dissociate levels This illustrates utility employing experienced contemplative within neurophenomen