Duality and nonduality in meditation research.

The wide range of meditation techniques across contemplative traditions makes it difficult to classify them using modern cognitive science concepts. Travis and Shear propose adding 'automatic self-transcending' to the existing categories of 'focused attention' and 'open monitoring', using characteristic EEG bands as the defining criteria for each category. The accuracy of current taxonomies and potential limitations of using EEG measurements as classifying criteria are discussed.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The great variety of meditation techniques found in different contemplative traditions presents a challenge when attempting to create taxonomies based on the constructs of contemporary cognitive sciences. In the current issue of Consciousness and Cognition, Travis and Shear add 'automatic self-transcending' to the previously proposed categories of 'focused attention' and 'open monitoring', and suggest characteristic EEG bands as the defining criteria for each of the three categories. Accuracy of current taxonomies and potential limitations of EEG measurements as classifying criteria are discussed.