Theta activity and meditative states: spectral changes during concentrative meditation |
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Authors: | Shruti Baijal Narayanan Srinivasan |
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Institution: | (1) Centre of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, 211002, India; |
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Abstract: | Brain oscillatory activity is associated with different cognitive processes and plays a critical role in meditation. In this
study, we investigated the temporal dynamics of oscillatory changes during Sahaj Samadhi meditation (a concentrative form
of meditation that is part of Sudarshan Kriya yoga). EEG was recorded during Sudarshan Kriya yoga meditation for meditators
and relaxation for controls. Spectral and coherence analysis was performed for the whole duration as well as specific blocks
extracted from the initial, middle, and end portions of Sahaj Samadhi meditation or relaxation. The generation of distinct
meditative states of consciousness was marked by distinct changes in spectral powers especially enhanced theta band activity
during deep meditation in the frontal areas. Meditators also exhibited increased theta coherence compared to controls. The
emergence of the slow frequency waves in the attention-related frontal regions provides strong support to the existing claims
of frontal theta in producing meditative states along with trait effects in attentional processing. Interestingly, increased
frontal theta activity was accompanied reduced activity (deactivation) in parietal–occipital areas signifying reduction in
processing associated with self, space and, time. |
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Keywords: | |
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