An Electroencephalographic Study of the Zen Meditation (Zazen)
July 12, 2017 DOI: 10.4324/9780203785843-51 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Zen meditation |
| Topics | Meditation Buddhism |
| Keywords | Electroencephalography Audiology Theology |
| Key findings | In Zen meditation, alpha blocking is less susceptible to habituation to sensory stimuli than in the ordinary waking state. |
Abstract
In this chapter, the authors present the results of their experiments in detail and discuss some of the electrographic characteristics in which the mental state in Zen-sitting will be reflected. In clinical practice, electroencephalogram often becomes a good neufophysiological method to find out the disturbance of consciousness. According to the instructions of Zen meditation, the regulation of inner mind is strongly emphasized. By obeying the rules of Zen training the well-achieved meditation has been completed. In the well-achieved meditation, it will be said that "concentration" without tension is going on in the utmost inner world of psychic life. From a psychological point of view, both Zen meditation and hypnotic trance bring about the changes of consciousness. In Zen meditation the alpha blocking is less susceptible to habituation to sensory stimuli than in ordinary waking state. Zen meditation is purely a subjective experience completed by a concentration which holds the inner mind calm, pure and serene.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on buddhism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEG Alpha Blocking Correlated with Perception of Inner Light During Zen Meditation Zen-Buddhist practitioners who had been practicing meditation for years | 2003 | Experimental study | |
| Zen meditation and ABC relaxation theory: An exploration of relaxation states, beliefs, dispositions, and motivations Experienced Zen meditators and college students | 2001 | Controlled experimental study | n = 83 |
| Exploring Emptiness and its Effects on Non-attachment, Mystical Experiences, and Psycho-spiritual Wellbeing: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study of Advanced Meditators. Advanced Buddhist meditators | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental design with qualitative analysis | n = 25 |
| Ready to help, no matter what you did: Responsibility attribution does not influence compassion in expert Buddhist practitioners. Expert Buddhist practitioners and trained novices | 2024 | Experimental study | |
| ZEN MEDITATION AND TIME-EXPERIENCE | 1989 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 11
- More Meditation, Less Habituation? The Effect of Mindfulness Practice on the Acoustic Startle Reflex PLoS One May 6, 2015
- Quantitative EEG Study on Zen Meditation (Zazen) Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences December 1, 1994
- Zen and psychology Japanese psychological research April 28, 2005
- Impact of preksha meditation on alpha waves in EEG Indian Journal of Clinical Anatomy and Physiology December 20, 2018
- Decoding Depth of Meditation: EEG Insights from Expert Vipassana Practitioners January 31, 2024
and 6 more in the library