The Changes in Brain Waves in Monks and Nuns During Zen Meditation in Two Vietnamese Zen Truc Lam Monasteries
Joanna Różycka‐Tran, Stanisław Radoń, Marcin Wnuk
Pastoral Psychology May 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s11089-026-01336-5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 13 |
| Population | Buddhist monks and nuns residing in two Vietnamese Zen monasteries |
| Intervention | Zen meditation |
| Topics | Buddhism Meditation |
| Keywords | Relaxation psychology Vietnamese Alertness State computer science Psychotherapist Beta programming language |
| Key findings | Zen meditation is characterized by a deepened state of relaxation and increased alertness, as indicated by stable increases in alpha range and distinct patterns of theta and beta activity across two monasteries. |
Abstract
Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the dynamics of the bioelectrical brain activity of monks and nuns during Zen meditation in their natural monastic environment. The participants were practitioners residing in two Vietnamese Zen monasteries: Truc Lam Tay Thien ( N = 7) and Truc Lam Thuong Chieu Buddhist Academy ( N = 6). The measurements were carried out using a four-channel BrainBit Flex mobile cap, capturing the theta (5–8 Hz), alpha (8–13 Hz), and beta (15–30 Hz) frequency bands. The results indicate that meditation is characterized by a deepened state of relaxation on the one hand and increased alertness on the other (a stable increase in the alpha range in both monasteries and an increase in theta and a decrease in beta in the second monastery). The differences identified seem to indicate distinct meditation strategies in the two monasteries (dynamic decreases in the theta range and slow increases in beta in the Truc Lam Tay Thien Monastery; dynamic decreases in beta and slow increases in theta and beta in the Truc Lam Thuong Chieu monastery). These findings contribute to an understanding of the specificity of the neural mechanisms underlying Zen meditation, which appears to foster a distinct state characterized by a combination of relaxation and sustained alertness. By highlighting its potential role in mental health, the study also demonstrates the effectiveness of using mobile electroencephalogram (EEG) technology in naturalistic environments. It can also assist professionals and practitioners in developing their skills and obtaining other benefits.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on buddhism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC STUDY ON THE ZEN MEDITATION (ZAZEN) Zen priests and disciples of Zen sects of Buddhism | 1966 | Observational study | n = 48 |
| “Thinking about Not-Thinking”: Neural Correlates of Conceptual Processing during Zen Meditation Regular Zen practitioners and matched control subjects | 2008 | Observational cohort | |
| Individual Trait Anxiety Levels Characterizing the Properties of Zen Meditation Healthy adults who had not previously practiced any form of meditation | 2004 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Zen meditation, Length of Telomeres, and the Role of Experiential Avoidance and Compassion 20 Zen meditation experts and 20 healthy matched non-meditators | 2016 | Observational cohort | n = 40 |
| EEG dynamics of experienced Zen meditation practitioners probed by complexity index and spectral measure Experienced Zen meditation practitioners and matched controls | 2009 | Observational cohort | n = 46 |
Citations in the library
Cites 37
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 8, 2004
- Neural correlates of attentional expertise in long-term meditation practitioners Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences June 28, 2007
and 32 more in the library