Mapping Meditative States and Stages with Electrophysiology: Concepts, Classifications, and Methods

How the finite biological structure and function of the brain gives rise to the seemingly infinite expanse of the mind remains a final frontier in basic neuroscience. Contemporary mindfulness and other contemplative practices involve systematic forms of mental training that develop the mind in specific and quantifiable ways. Key questions include how to classify discrete and developmentally-specific mind states of consciousness in line with complex phenomenology to yield ontological quantifications, what measures best represent such classification systems, and whether electrophysiological measures can map developmentally-specified mind states and stages to neurobiological substrates based on extant contention regarding EEG physiology interpretation.

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Abstract

Exploration of human consciousness remains a final frontier within basic neuroscience; that is, how the finite biological structure and function of the brain gives rise to the seemingly infinite expanse that encompasses the terrain of the mind. Contemporary mindfulness and other contemplative practices across historical and post-modern traditions involve systematic forms of mental training that allow the practitioner to develop the mind in very specific and quantifiable ways. Some fundamental questions pertain to this scientific enquiry; (1) how to concisely classify discrete and developmentally-specific “mind states” of consciousness that are in line with the subtle complex phenomenology of experience so to yield ontological quantifications? (2) what measures best represent such classification/quantification systems? (3) can the present electrophysiological purview map developmentally-specified mind states and stages to neurobiological substrates, based on extant contention (i.e. discrete EEG band functionality, phenomenological significance, and underlying mechanisms) regarding the interpretation of EEG physiology?