The Neuroscience of Meditation
Elsevier eBooks January 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/c2018-0-03129-1 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA philosopher from the Qualia Research Institute reflects on a 7-day vipassana meditation retreat, proposing connections between Western neuroscience and phenomenology concepts and Eastern contemplative practices. The author presents personal perspectives, models, and hypotheses on how QRI's theoretical frameworks might relate to meditation experiences, acknowledging the tension between intellectual analysis and the retreat's goal of non-conceptual awareness.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | vipassana meditation retreat |
| Duration | 7-day retreat |
| Keywords | Philosophy |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key finding | Proposes that Western neuroscientific and phenomenological models from the Qualia Research Institute can be connected to Eastern contemplative practices like vipassana meditation. |
Abstract
Background: I’m a philosopher at the Qualia Research Institute (QRI) working on the intersection of neuroscience and phenomenology. As part of this research and to develop my practice, I recently did a 7-day vipassana meditation retreat. The following are some perspectives, models, and hypotheses I had on how some of the ‘Western’ ideas we’re working with at QRI could connect to ‘Eastern’ contemplative practices. (Yes, I know I wasn’t supposed to think during a retreat, but enlightenment will just have to wait, I have things to do. . . )