The fourth state of consciousness: the Thuriya Avastha.
B Ramamurthi
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences May 1, 1995 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.1995.tb01871.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Buddhism Meditation |
| Keywords | Frontal lobe Temporal lobe Humans Psychophysiology Yoga Awareness Consciousness Thinking Sleep Religion and psychology Neurophysiology Hinduism Religion and science Mind-body relations, metaphysical |
| Key points | Argues that "thoughtless awareness," described in Eastern traditions as a fourth state of consciousness, must have a physiological basis, and that the brain's structural complexity and neurochemical richness suggest it can transcend logic and reason. Calls for scientists to investigate this state with all available tools to identify its neurophysiological basis. |
Abstract
Present day neurophysiology stops with attributing thinking processes as the highest level of function of the brain. It has been common knowledge to oriental thinkers for many centuries, that there are many further states of the human mind, culminating in the state of thoughtless awareness; the fourth state of consciousness. This state must have a physiological basis. The complicated structure of the brain, the extravagant abundance of neural and glial elements in the brain, the infinite possibilities of synaptic junctions and synaptic transmission, and the multitude of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators; all these point to the definite possibility of a much greater level of performance and achievement for the human brain than has been apparent so far. Not only the theories but also the experience of Eastern seers have shown that the brain can transcend the boundaries of logic and reason, and experience states of awareness, commonly unrecognized. In the past few decades, knowledge about the functioning of the human brain has been growing exponentially and scientists of diverse disciplines are concentrating on unraveling its mysteries. It is necessary for scientists to investigate this state with all available tools and find the neurophysiological basis of this state.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Where is God? A comparison of the neural correlates of mystical and religious praying bioRxiv Preprint Server February 22, 2026
- Non-invasive Electrophysiological Characterization of Distinctive Meditative States in a Yogi during Samaadhi. International Journal of Yoga 2025
- Possible Role of Parvalbumin Interneurons in Meditation and Psychiatric Illness. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 2022
- Understanding Meditation Based on the Subjective Experience and Traditional Goal: Implications for Current Meditation Research. Frontiers in Psychology 2019
- The effects of Sahaja Yoga meditation on mental health: a systematic review Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine May 30, 2018
and 5 more in the library