Abstract
(1) Background: The effect of Juingong meditation on brainwave patterns has not been explored yet. This study aimed to study the changes in brainwave patterns produced by Juingong meditation, through electroencephalography (EEG) measurements. (2) Methods: The study included 23 participants from the Hanmaum Seon Center in Korea. EEG measurements were performed using InteraXon’s four-channel EEG measurement equipment, Muse. It measures EEG patterns in the temporoparietal and anterior frontal lobes. Brainwaves were measured in two different states: when Juingong meditation was practiced and when instructed mind wandering (IMW) was practiced. The EEG recordings were analyzed using the theta/alpha index. (3) Results: In the Juingong meditation state, the power of alpha was relatively higher than that of theta and these results were valid in the temporal parietal lobe channel. This indicates that relatively more alpha waves were induced in the temporal parietal lobe when Juingong meditation was practiced. (4) Conclusions: When Juingong meditation is practiced, the theta/alpha ratio changes without delay, which means that the practical effect of Juingong meditation on brainwave patterns is immediately apparent.
Highlights
Seon meditation, one of the practices of Buddhism, is a technique to calm the mind and contemplate the inner mind to reach the ultimate level of Buddhist practice
(4) Conclusions: When Juingong meditation is practiced, the theta/alpha ratio changes without delay, which means that the practical effect of Juingong meditation on brainwave patterns is immediately apparent
Since Juingong meditation focuses on the fundamental mind rather than just relaxation, it was predicted that the theta to alpha ratio would decrease because more alpha waves would be induced relative to the theta waves
Summary
One of the practices of Buddhism, is a technique to calm the mind and contemplate the inner mind to reach the ultimate level of Buddhist practice. Seon meditation is known in the West as “meditation,” and its significance is gradually being recognized with the development of neuroscience [1]. Cardoso et al define meditation as a procedure that includes (1) the use of a specific technique, (2) muscle relaxation (3) logic relaxation (4) it must necessarily be a self-induced state, and (5) the use of “self-focus”. Meditation is one of the methods of practicing Buddhism and it has been popularized in the non-religious sphere under the concept of mindfulness [3,4]. The origin of mindfulness is “Vipassana,” and the primary feature of this meditation is “choiceless awareness” [5] or “open monitoring” [6], which is a non-selective perception that focuses on recognizing actions such as one’s mind or breathing [7].
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