| Abstract | | This paper proposes a third meditation-category—automatic self-transcending— to extend
the dichotomy of focused attention and open monitoring proposed by Lutz. Automatic selftranscending
includes techniques designed to transcend their own activity. This contrasts
with focused attention, which keeps attention focused on an object; and open monitoring,
which keeps attention involved in the monitoring process. Each category was assigned
EEG bands, based on reported brain patterns during mental tasks, and meditations were
categorized based on their reported EEG. Focused attention, characterized by beta/gamma
activity, included meditations from Tibetan Buddhist, Buddhist, and Chinese traditions.
Open monitoring, characterized by theta activity, included meditations from Buddhist, Chinese,
and Vedic traditions. Automatic self-transcending, characterized by alpha1 activity,
included meditations from Vedic and Chinese traditions. Between categories, the included
meditations differed in focus, subject/object relation, and procedures. These findings shed
light on the common mistake of averaging meditations together to determine mechanisms
or clinical effects. |
