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Navigating the 'Zen Zeitgeist': The Potential of Personalized Neurofeedback for Meditation

PsyArXiv December 5, 2023 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/x23me (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper
Topics Buddhism Meditation
Key points Argues that neurotechnological tools could accelerate meditation learning but that current neurofeedback systems overlook individual neurophysiological variability, limiting their effectiveness. Proposes that personalized, multimodal interventions tailored to individual differences are needed to enhance efficacy, mitigate adverse effects, and ethically integrate contemplative practices into the modern mindfulness movement.

Abstract

The rise of neurotechnological tools offering targeted feedback holds considerable promise for accelerating learning in meditation and mindfulness practices. These technologies could fast-track the development of transformational states and traits that traditionally require years of disciplined practice. However, many current neurofeedback systems are built on generalized models or features that overlook individual neurophysiological variability, limiting their practical effectiveness. In the realm of meditation, this variability can significantly affect how users respond to protocols and acquire meditative skills. Personalized interventions, tailored to these individual differences, are essential to enhancing learning and optimizing outcomes. Here we propose an embrace of individual differences to guide the development of personalized neurotechnological interventions to not only enhance efficacy but help mitigate adverse effects. As interest in the cognitive and health benefits of meditation continues to grow, we must also consider the philosophical and cultural challenges involved in translating these contemplative practices into neurotechnological frameworks. These complexities emphasize the importance of individualized, multimodal approaches to ensure both effective and ethical integration into the modern mindfulness movement.

Comparable studies

Other theoretical and historical papers on buddhism, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Mental balance and well-being: Building bridges between Buddhism and Western psychology. 2006 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Buddhist Modernism and the Rhetoric of Meditative Experience 1995 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Buddhist and Psychological Perspectives on Emotions and Well-Being 2005 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Too Early to Tell: The Potential Impact and Challenges—Ethical and Otherwise—Inherent in the Mainstreaming of Dharma in an Increasingly Dystopian World 2017 Theoretical or philosophical paper
From self to nonself: The Nonself Theory 2016 Theoretical or philosophical paper

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Buddhism Meditation