Autonomic patterns during respiratory suspensions: possible markers of Transcendental Consciousness.
Psychophysiology January 1997 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.1997.tb02414.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 16 |
| Population | Individuals practicing Transcendental Meditation |
| Intervention | Transcendental Meditation |
| Key findings | During transcendental consciousness experiences, respiratory suspensions or reductions in breath volume coincide with skin conductance responses and heart rate deceleration, with phasic autonomic activity significantly higher at respiratory suspension onset than at forced breath holding onset. |
Abstract
In two experiments, we investigated physiological correlates of transcendental consciousness during Transcendental Meditation sessions. In the first, experimenter-initiated bells, based on observed physiological patterns, marked three phases during a Transcendental Meditation session in 16 individuals. Interrater reliability between participant and experimenter classification of experiences at each bell was quite good. During phases including transcendental consciousness experiences, skin conductance responses and heart rate deceleration occurred at the onset of respiratory suspensions or reductions in breath volume. In the second experiment, this autonomic pattern was compared with that during forced breath holding. Phasic autonomic activity was significantly higher at respiratory suspension onset than at breath holding onset. These easily measured markers could help focus research on the existence and characteristics of transcendental consciousness.
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- A Systematic Review of Transcendent States Across Meditation and Contemplative Traditions. Explore 2018
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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
- Metabolic rate, respiratory exchange ratio, and apneas during meditation. American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content March 1989
- Electroencephalographic findings during mantra meditation (transcendental meditation). A controlled, quantitative study of experienced meditators. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology April 1, 1981