Long-term intuitive inquiry meditation, a Buddhist Zen/Chan practice that uses doubt and belief to explore the self, alters brain activity related to self- and Buddha-schema processing differently depending on experience level. In an event-related potential study, beginner meditators showed reduced brain activity when viewing Buddha images but not when viewing themselves, while experienced meditators (monks) showed reduced brain activity when viewing themselves but not when viewing Buddha images. Experienced meditators also had greater theta power and higher intertrial coherence, suggesting more flexible cognitive modulation. These results indicate that intuitive inquiry meditation helps beginners detach from the concept of Buddha, whereas experienced practitioners become spontaneously detached from the self.
After 8 weeks of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training, the correlation between alpha brain wave frequency and heart coherence increased significantly in the middle frontal and bilateral temporal regions. Alpha coherence and heart coherence showed similar changes, but alpha peak power did not. Standard spectrum analysis alone showed no difference before and after training. Individual alpha peak frequency is relatively stable, and its interplay with cardiac activity may be a more sensitive measure of brain-heart connection than power spectrum. This preliminary study involved eleven participants aged 28–52 years.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training alters electrical activity in the brain and heart, making them more coordinated. During an 8-week standard MBSR course, EEG recordings showed increased alpha and beta wave power and decreased delta wave power compared to normal rest. Wavelet entropy analysis indicated that MBSR meditation reduces chaotic activity in both EEG and heart rate as a temporary state change, though longer training may be needed for lasting trait changes. For the first time, the data demonstrated that chaotic brain and heart activities become more coordinated during MBSR, suggesting mindfulness enhances mind-body entrainment. Specific 3D brain regions involved in these mental state changes were identified.