Field model of consciousness: EEG coherence changes as indicators of field effects.
F T Travis, David W. Orme-Johnson
International Journal of Neuroscience December 1989 DOI: 10.3109/00207458909084826 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Pairs of subjects, one practicing Transcendental Meditation and the TM-Sidhi technique of Yogic Flying, the other performing a computer task |
| Intervention | Transcendental Meditation |
| Measures | EEG coherence |
| Key findings | Coherence changes in the meditator's 5.7-8.5 Hz band consistently led coherence changes in the other subject's 4.7-42.7 Hz band across ten trials, supporting a field model of consciousness. |
Abstract
Changes in EEG coherence patterns were used to test a field model that posits a common field of "pure consciousness" linking all individuals. In ten trials, EEG was concurrently measured from pairs of subjects, one practicing Transcendental Meditation (TM) and the TM-Sidhi technique of "Yogic Flying" (YFg)--said to enliven the proposed field of consciousness--and the other performing a computer task. Box-Jenkins ARIMA transfer function analysis indicated that coherence changes in the YF's 5.7-8.5 Hz band, the band sensitive to TM and YFg, consistently led coherence changes in the other subject's 4.7-42.7 Hz band. A clear relationship was seen among subjective reports, coherence patterns, and strength of intervention effects. These data support a field model of consciousness. Alternate explanations are explored.
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Cites 4
- Breath Suspension During the Transcendental Meditation Technique Psychosomatic Medicine May 1, 1982
- Electrophysiologic Characteristics of Respiratory Suspension Periods Occurring During the Practice of the Transcendental Meditation Program Psychosomatic Medicine May 1, 1984
- International Peace Project in the Middle East Journal of Conflict Resolution December 1, 1988
- Intersubject EEG coherence: is consciousness a field? International Journal of Neuroscience May 1982