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Integrated Phenomenology and Brain Connectivity Demonstrate Changes in Nonlinear Processing in Jhana Advanced Meditation.

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Title: Integrated Phenomenology and Brain Connectivity Demonstrate Changes in Nonlinear Processing in Jhana Advanced Meditation.
Authors: Potash, Ruby M.1 (AUTHOR), van Mil, Sean D.1,2 (AUTHOR), Estarellas, Mar1,3,4 (AUTHOR), Canales-Johnson, Andres4,5,6 (AUTHOR), Sacchet, Matthew D.1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. Nov2025, Vol. 37 Issue 11, p2260-2283. 24p.
Subjects: Meditation, Attention, Electrophysiology, Human information processing, Functional connectivity, Mindfulness, Phenomenological psychology
Abstract: We present a neurophenomenological case study investigating distinct neural connectivity regimes during an advanced concentrative absorption meditation series called jhana (ACAM-J), characterized by highly stable attention and mental absorption. Using EEG recordings and phenomenological ratings (29 sessions) from a meditator with +20,000 hr of practice, we evaluated connectivity metrics tracking distinct large-scale neural interactions: nonlinear (weighted symbolic mutual information and directed information), capturing non-oscillatory dynamics, and linear (weighted phase lag index) connectivity metrics, capturing oscillatory synchrony. Results demonstrate ACAM-J are better distinguished by non-oscillatory compared with oscillatory dynamics across multiple frequency ranges. Furthermore, combining attention-related phenomenological ratings with weighted symbolic mutual information improves Bayesian decoding of ACAM-J compared with neural metrics alone. Crucially, deeper ACAM-J indicate an equalization of feedback and feedforward processes, suggesting a balance of internally and externally driven information processing. The results from this intensively sampled case study are a promising initial step in revealing the distinct neural dynamics during ACAM-J, offering insights into refined conscious states and highlighting the value of nonlinear neurophenomenological approaches to studying attentional states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:We present a neurophenomenological case study investigating distinct neural connectivity regimes during an advanced concentrative absorption meditation series called jhana (ACAM-J), characterized by highly stable attention and mental absorption. Using EEG recordings and phenomenological ratings (29 sessions) from a meditator with +20,000 hr of practice, we evaluated connectivity metrics tracking distinct large-scale neural interactions: nonlinear (weighted symbolic mutual information and directed information), capturing non-oscillatory dynamics, and linear (weighted phase lag index) connectivity metrics, capturing oscillatory synchrony. Results demonstrate ACAM-J are better distinguished by non-oscillatory compared with oscillatory dynamics across multiple frequency ranges. Furthermore, combining attention-related phenomenological ratings with weighted symbolic mutual information improves Bayesian decoding of ACAM-J compared with neural metrics alone. Crucially, deeper ACAM-J indicate an equalization of feedback and feedforward processes, suggesting a balance of internally and externally driven information processing. The results from this intensively sampled case study are a promising initial step in revealing the distinct neural dynamics during ACAM-J, offering insights into refined conscious states and highlighting the value of nonlinear neurophenomenological approaches to studying attentional states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:0898929X
DOI:10.1162/JOCN.a.50