NEURAL CORRELATES OF COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS IN MEDITATORS

Abstract

Meditation is a fascinating aspect of human consciousness. It has been described newlineas training in awareness, which, over long periods produces definite changes in newlineperception, attention, and cognition. Cyclic meditation (CM) is a unique moving newlinemeditation technique comprising the four limbs of yoga postures (äsana), newlinevoluntarily regulated breathing (präëäyama), internalization (pratyähära) and the newlinemeditation (dhyäna). CM has been derived from one of the statements in ancient newlineyoga text, Mänòukya Upaniñad. The verse on which CM is based, states: In a newlinestate of mental inactivity awaken the mind; when agitated, calm it; between these newlinetwo states realize the possible abilities of the mind. If the mind has reached states newlineof perfect equilibrium do not disturb it again . Cyclic meditation consists of cycles newlineof yoga postures interspersed with periods of supine rest. There have been several newlinestudies looking at the various physiological effects of CM including sleep, newlineautonomic functions, attention and cognition. Although there are several studies, newlinewhich aimed at ascertaining the effects of meditation on cognitive functions, newlineattention and perception, none have addressed the topographic characteristics of newlineEvent Related Potentials (ERPs) related to selective attention and working newlinememory paradigms. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of CM on newlineselective attention and working memory and represents its neural correlates with newlinerespect to ERPs and source estimates using high density EEG. Also, the mindfulcomponent of CM has been explored using a Mindfulness Attention Awareness newlineScale (MAAS). newline