A scientific approach to silent consciousness.
Frontiers in Psychology October 10, 2013 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00678 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Cortex Attention Consciousness Voluntary control Global workspace theory |
| Key points | Contemplative traditions such as Vedanta and Yoga propose a fourth state of consciousness, "silent consciousness," defined as consciousness without reportable contents, alongside the ordinary states of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. The Mandukya Upanishad is cited as claiming a fourth state of "consciousness without content," and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras as recommending soundless repetition of OM with meditation. |
Abstract
All mammals show the physiological correlates of waking, dreaming and deep sleep. Many contemplative traditions propose a fourth state of consciousness, “silent consciousness,” defined as consciousness without reportable contents. For example, the Mandukya Upanishad, one of the root texts of Vedanta philosophy, explicitly claims a fourth state of “consciousness without content.” (Sharma, 1997) The classical summary of yogic thought, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, recommends “Let there be soundless repetition of (the inner mantra) OM and meditation thereon.” (Feuerstein, 1989).
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- Psychedelics, Meditation, and Self-Consciousness Frontiers in Psychology September 4, 2018
- Nondual Awareness and Minimal Phenomenal Experience. Frontiers in Psychology 2020
- Reflections on Inner and Outer Silence and Consciousness Without Contents According to the Sphere Model of Consciousness Frontiers in Psychology August 12, 2020
- Consciousness Without Content: A Look at Evidence and Prospects. Frontiers in Psychology August 7, 2020
- The Sphere Model of Consciousness: From Geometrical to Neuro-Psycho-Educational Perspectives Logica Universalis July 20, 2019
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