The objective of the present study was to characterize the effects of long-term meditation (LTM) on directed connectivity patterns during resting-state and meditative brain states. Specifically, it was aimed to identify major cortical sources of information flow and target regions of information influx, and to reveal which frequency-specific oscillatory networks are critically involved in...
Current paradigms in Artificial Intelligence rely on layers of feedforward networks which model brain activity at the neuronal level. We conjecture that expanding to the level of multiple brain regions with chemical signaling may be a productive step toward understanding the emergence of consciousness. We propose LILITH, a novel architecture that combines developmental training of modular...
Awe-inspiring experiences and aesthetic rituals can induce profound epistemic transformations while also intersecting with structures of power. This review examines diverse case studies – from Amazonian shamanic rituals to ancient Egyptian temple arts, Surrealist dream experiments, transpersonal psychology, and science-fiction cyberculture – to understand how designed experiences of awe and...
Lucid dreaming, a state in which people become aware that they are dreaming, is known for its many mental and physical health benefits. However, most lucid dream induction techniques, such as reality testing, require significant time and effort to master, creating a barrier for people seeking these experiences. We designed LuciEntry, a portable interactive prototype aimed at helping people...
Therapeutic Viniyoga is holistic and the treatment, starting point, progression, and goals are unique for each individual client. This study uses Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and directed content analysis, combining theory and application to offer a tangible, conceptually grounded window into the process and practice of one-to-one Therapeutic Viniyoga. How Viniyoga is applied...
Society’s deep divisions, fueled by individualism, competition, consumerism, rigid ideologies, and limited dialogue, have impacted health care, leading to weakened connections between providers and patients. In the U.S., heavy reliance on medical technology and the rise of AI have further eroded these intersubjective bonds, reducing empathetic engagement in care. To address this challenge, the...
Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) is a therapeutic technique that involves immersing an individual in an environment with minimal sensory input or stimulation. The goal of REST is to induce a state of relaxation that is deeper than what can be achieved through other forms of relaxation techniques. Research suggests that REST can help reduce anxiety, alleviate chronic pain,...
Many hold that visual experience is sparse and its richness illusory, relying on high-level summaries rather than detailed content. However, we argue here that seeing is more than this - it is unfathomably rich. We distinguish three levels of visual phenomenology: high level object and scene categorizations; mid-level feature groupings; and a fundamental spatial field composed of spots and...
The resurgence of interest in classical psychedelics brings both promise and challenges to psychiatric care. Increasing evidence supports the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for a range of mental health conditions, and approval for clinical use appears inevitable. The psychedelic-associated acute subjective experience may mediate or enhance therapeutic outcomes, but also presents...
ABSTRACT Internalizing and externalizing behavioral issues among children tend to appear together and are often interrelated. A combination of Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) and Mindfulness is theoretically promising in reducing the co-occurrences of internalizing and externalizing issues. In this study, we developed and validated MBSFT-C, which addresses internalizing and externalizing...