Dynamic brain states underlying advanced concentrative absorption meditation: A 7-T fMRI-intensive case study

Advanced meditation consists of states and stages of practice that unfold with mastery and time. Dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) analysis of fMRI could identify brain states underlying advanced meditation. We conducted an intensive DFC case study of a meditator who completed 27 runs of jhāna advanced absorptive concentration meditation (ACAM-J), concurrently with 7-T fMRI and phenomenological reporting. We identified three brain states that marked differences between ACAM-J and nonmeditative control conditions. These states were characterized as a DMN-anticorrelated brain state, a hyperconnected brain state, and a sparsely connected brain state. Our analyses indicate higher prevalence of the DMN-anticorrelated brain state during ACAM-J than control states, and the prevalence increased significantly with deeper ACAM-J states. The hyperconnected brain state was also more common during ACAM-J and was characterized by elevated thalamocortical connectivity and somatomotor network connectivity. The hyperconnected brain state significantly decreased over the course of ACAM-J, associating with self-reports of wider attention and diminished physical sensations. This brain state may be related to sensory awareness. Advanced meditators have developed well-honed abilities to move in and out of different altered states of consciousness, and this study provides initial evidence that functional neuroimaging can objectively track their dynamics.

Advanced meditation research investigates states and stages of practice that unfold with increasing mastery and time, which may include altered states of consciousness such as a diminished sense of self. In the current study, we examined a 7-T fMRI case study of jhāna, an advanced concentrative absorptive meditation (ACAM-J). Specifically, we examined the temporal properties of dynamic connectivity brain states that could reflect mental states and phenomena during ACAM-J. We identified two brain states that were more prevalent during ACAM-J than control conditions. One state, involving default-mode network anticorrelations with the rest of the brain, increased across ACAM-J. Another state, involving hyperconnectivity across many cortical networks, was correlated with reports of narrow attention and greater sensory awareness, as well as diminished across ACAM-J.