The exploration of meditation in the neuroscience of attention and consciousness.
Antonino Raffone, Narayanan Srinivasan
Cognitive processing February 1, 2010 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-009-0354-z (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMeditation-based mental training produces measurable changes in cognitive and affective neuroplasticity, attention, and self-awareness, with growing clinical relevance. Studies of meditation states and traits offer insights into the neuroscience of attention, consciousness, self-awareness, empathy, and theory of mind. This article outlines key features of meditation-based mental training and reviews the current scientific understanding of meditation states and traits, focusing on attention and consciousness as discussed in the accompanying special issue.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Meditation-based mental training has implications for understanding neuroplasticity, attention, self-awareness, and clinical applications. |
Abstract
Many recent behavioral and neuroscientific studies have revealed the importance of investigating meditation states and traits to achieve an increased understanding of cognitive and affective neuroplasticity, attention and self-awareness, as well as for their increasingly recognized clinical relevance. The investigation of states and traits related to meditation has especially pronounced implications for the neuroscience of attention, consciousness, self-awareness, empathy and theory of mind. In this article we present the main features of meditation-based mental training and characterize the current scientific approach to meditation states and traits with special reference to attention and consciousness, in light of the articles contributed to this issue.