Electrophysiological correlates of zen meditation: An investigation using in-monastery EEG acquisition

During Zen meditation in a monastic setting, experienced Vietnamese monks showed significantly higher alpha and theta brainwave power than non-meditating controls, with no change in beta power. This pattern differs from mindfulness practices, where beta power often decreases. Among monks, brain activity did not differ between meditation and mind-wandering states, nor between brief 4-minute and extended 1.5-hour sessions, indicating a continuity of meditative and non-meditative states in advanced practitioners. The findings suggest Zen meditation fosters a distinct state combining relaxation and sustained alertness, and demonstrate the feasibility of mobile EEG technology for in-situ research.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This study investigated the bioelectric brain activity associated with Zen meditation in an ecologically valid monastic setting, comparing experienced Zen practitioners with non-meditating controls. The experimental group consisted of Vietnamese monks from Truc Lam Tay Thien and Truc Lam Thuong Chieu monasteries, while the control group comprised non-practitioners. EEG data were collected using a portable 4-channel BrainBit Flex cap during both morning and evening meditation sessions, capturing theta (5-8 Hz), alpha (8-13 Hz) and beta (15-30 Hz) frequency bands. RESULTS: indicate that monks exhibited significantly higher alpha and theta band power during meditation than controls, with no changes in beta power. This pattern distinguishes Zen meditation from other forms, like mindfulness practices, where reductions in beta power are often observed. Notably, there were no significant EEG differences in the brain activity of monks between meditation and mind-wandering states, nor between brief (4-minute) and extended (1.5-hour) meditation sessions, suggesting a high degree of continuity between meditative and non-meditative states in advanced practitioners. These findings contribute to an understanding 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 EEG technology for in-situ data collection in naturalistic environments, supporting the advancement of meditation research beyond laboratory constraints.