Focusing attention on silence can serve as a paradigm similar to sensory deprivation for studying consciousness without content. This hypothesis paper reviews influential models of consciousness and their views on the relationship between consciousness and its contents. After assessing strengths and weaknesses of current models, the authors propose an extension based on the Sphere Model of Consciousness (SMC), introducing new definitions for identification and self-awareness as states of consciousness. They compare Paoletti's theoretical model for self-development with other models, noting similarities and differences. The paper concludes by discussing how attentional focus on silence can be empirically tested.
Theta brainwave activity (4–7 Hz) is linked to hypnosis, hypnotic analgesia, meditation, and absorption, and also supports cognitive functions like spatial navigation, memory, creativity, and divided attention. This manuscript synthesizes current knowledge on theta's roles in hypnosis and their connections to movement, noting that movement paradigms such as Quadrato Motor Training modulate theta activity and improve cognition and emotional well-being. The authors discuss these movement paradigms as therapeutic tools related to hypnosis and highlight relationships between diagonal movement and psychological phenomena including intentionality, attention, and the Sphere Model of Consciousness.
Empathy, the ability to infer others' emotions, is linked to bodily sensations from the autonomic nervous system. A survey of 581 participants found that people who meditate score higher on empathy than non-meditators. Lower autonomic reactivity in organs above the diaphragm was associated with higher empathy. Among participants with high autonomic reactivity, empathy was positively linked to interoceptive components of abstract concepts. The results suggest that meditation and low autonomic reactivity relate to empathy, possibly by downregulating autonomic responses.
A hypothesis paper proposes the Sphere Model of Consciousness (SMC) to examine consciousness and self-awareness, aiming to address methodological issues in consciousness research. It presents a preliminary attempt to validate the SMC using a simplified electrophysiological topographic map of the Self, showing a gradual shift from faster to slower frequency bands that mirrors dynamics between SMC states of Self. A mini-review of studies explores whether different SMC states of Self correspond to specific frequency bands, and the theoretical argument suggests the SMC's hierarchical organization of three states of Self mirrors the hierarchy of Focused Attention, Open Monitoring, and Non-Dual meditation types. Testable predictions and potential applications are offered.