Meditation alters perceptual rivalry in Tibetan Buddhist monks
Olivia Carter, David E. Presti, C. Callistemon, Y. Ungerer, G.B. Liu, John D. Pettigrew
Current Biology June 1, 2005 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2005.05.043 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Buddhism Meditation |
| Keywords | Scopus Consciousness Binocular rivalry Inattentional blindness Cognitive psychology Aesthetics Visual perception Theology Medline |
| Citations | 262 |
| Key points | Argues that neuroscientific studies of the mind could benefit from the insights and skills of Tibetan Buddhist monks with long meditative training, as discussed at a forum between Buddhist leaders and scientists. Notes that perceptual rivalries such as binocular rivalry and motion-induced blindness are used to study the neural mechanisms of consciousness and attention because they involve fluctuations in awareness despite unchanging stimulation. |
Abstract
Neuroscientific studies of the mind are likely to benefit from the insights and skills of Tibetan Buddhist monks who have practiced the historic tradition of meditative training over many years — a point made recently at a forum between a selection of Buddhist leaders and distinguished scientists [1]. Perceptual rivalries, such as binocular rivalry [2] and motion induced blindness [3], are being used to study the neural mechanisms underlying consciousness and attention [2,4], as they involve fluctuations in conscious awareness despite unchanging external stimulation.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
-
State of the evidence: Buddhism Supports
Argues that neuroscientific studies of the mind could benefit from the insights and skills of Tibetan Buddhist monks with long meditative training.
Synthesized
Citations in the library
Cited by 103
- Neural correlates of attentional expertise in long-term meditation practitioners Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences June 28, 2007
- The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin May 14, 2012
- Mental Training Affects Distribution of Limited Brain Resources PLoS Biology May 4, 2007
- Investigating the phenomenological matrix of mindfulness-related practices from a neurocognitive perspective. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- The meeting of meditative disciplines and western psychology: A mutually enriching dialogue. American Psychologist 2006
and 98 more in the library
Cites 4
- Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 8, 2004
- Brain sources of EEG gamma frequency during volitionally meditation-induced, altered states of consciousness, and experience of the self Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging November 1, 2001
- A Common Oscillator for Perceptual Rivalries? Perception March 1, 2003
- Studying the Well-Trained Mind Science October 2, 2003