Electrophysiological correlates of zen meditation: An investigation using in-monastery EEG acquisition
Magdalena Kurek, Joanna Różycka‐Tran, Stanisław Radoń, Alan Kania, Kamila Orlińska, Trần Thanh Tùng, Piotr Suffczynski
Biological Psychology October 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2025.109133 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Vietnamese monks from Truc Lam Tay Thien and Truc Lam Thuong Chieu monasteries and non-practitioner controls |
| Intervention | Zen meditation |
| Topics | Meditation Buddhism |
| Keywords | Electroencephalography Evening Neurofeedback Relaxation psychology Electrophysiology Alpha finance Beta rhythm Alpha rhythm Beta programming language Audiology |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | Monks exhibited significantly higher alpha and theta band power during meditation than controls, with no changes in beta power. |
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.
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
Cited by 3
- The Neuroscience of Religious and Spiritual Practices: A Systematic Review of Neurotheological Evidence Brain and Behavior August 30, 2026
- The Changes in Brain Waves in Monks and Nuns During Zen Meditation in Two Vietnamese Zen Truc Lam Monasteries Pastoral Psychology May 28, 2026
- Haptic Meditation Enhancement Device (HMED): An Arduino-Based Multi-Sensor Real-Time Monitoring and Intervention Support System. Italian National Conference on Sensors July 1, 2026
Cites 40
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 8, 2004
- Regulation of the Neural Circuitry of Emotion by Compassion Meditation: Effects of Meditative Expertise PLoS One March 25, 2008
- Research Review: The effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on cognition and mental health in children and adolescents – a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry October 22, 2018
- A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2015
and 35 more in the library