The Western perception of meditation has been divided into two strands: the quick release of stress through short meditative practices and the deeply transformative pursuit of enlightenment. However, this simplistic view ignores the wide range of meditative experiences that are far richer and more accessible than these extremes suggest.
Given the low rates of mental health in developed countries, there is a need to explore scalable methods not only to reduce stress but also to fundamentally improve psychological well-being.
Scientific studies of meditation also reflect this divide. Most studies focus on basic mindfulness as a method of wellness, while others examine the unusual brain activity of experienced meditators. Few studies, however, focus on the intermediate level between simple stress relief and profound transformative experiences.
The rise in popularity of meditation has led to the commercialization of mindfulness practices as a means of stress management. This has led to criticism in the spirit of «McMindfulness», pointing to the superficiality of an approach that focuses on the breath rather than the social factors that cause stress.
Given the low rates of mental health in developed countries, there is a need to explore scalable methods not only to reduce stress but also to fundamentally improve psychological well-being.
Scientific studies of meditation also reflect this divide. Most studies focus on basic mindfulness as a method of wellness, while others examine the unusual brain activity of experienced meditators. Few studies, however, focus on the intermediate level between simple stress relief and profound transformative experiences.
The rise in popularity of meditation has led to the commercialization of mindfulness practices as a means of stress management. This has led to criticism in the spirit of «McMindfulness», pointing to the superficiality of an approach that focuses on the breath rather than the social factors that cause stress.
But new research using cognitive science and machine learning seeks to explore a broader range of meditative experiences. Researchers such as Matthew Sackett and Ruben Laukkonen emphasize that deep meditative experience does not require decades of practice in a monastery, and that profound changes in psychology are possible.
New technologies, including psychedelics and brain stimulation, are being developed to accelerate the attainment of deep meditative states. The goal is to make access to these states more widely available, which researchers believe could significantly improve both individual well-being and public health.
Increased access to the benefits of deep meditation can significantly benefit millions of mindfulness app users seeking to improve their psychological well-being. In today's world focused on optimizing various aspects of life, why not optimize mindfulness as well? If deep meditative states can not only calm the mind but also transform its habits, speeding up and simplifying the process could yield great results.
However, there are also concerns. Even if deep changes in consciousness are possible, there is no guarantee that current technology can deliver them. Moreover, there is a risk of negative consequences if the process is accelerated too much. Finally, a limited number of people are willing to devote significant time to the practice of meditation.
New technologies, including psychedelics and brain stimulation, are being developed to accelerate the attainment of deep meditative states. The goal is to make access to these states more widely available, which researchers believe could significantly improve both individual well-being and public health.
Increased access to the benefits of deep meditation can significantly benefit millions of mindfulness app users seeking to improve their psychological well-being. In today's world focused on optimizing various aspects of life, why not optimize mindfulness as well? If deep meditative states can not only calm the mind but also transform its habits, speeding up and simplifying the process could yield great results.
However, there are also concerns. Even if deep changes in consciousness are possible, there is no guarantee that current technology can deliver them. Moreover, there is a risk of negative consequences if the process is accelerated too much. Finally, a limited number of people are willing to devote significant time to the practice of meditation.
The study of consciousness has historically been limited in the West, and in-depth study of this phenomenon is essential. In the same way that the study of extreme physical phenomena provides insight into general principles, the study of extreme states of consciousness can shed light on the nature of mind and ways to improve well-being.
The commercialization and technologization of ancient practices such as meditation raise ethical questions. However, adapting Buddhist teachings (dharma) to new contexts is a complex, risky, but potentially valuable process. It is important to approach this process wisely, as the future of our mental health may depend on it.
Contemplative science
Contemplative science is an interdisciplinary field that studies the effects of meditation, prayer and psychedelics on the mind, brain and body. Its origins in the United States date back to the 1960s, when Buddhist ideas attracted the attention of members of the counterculture, including scientists and lawyers. At the time, meditation was seen as a path to a profound transformation of consciousness and awakening, as described by D.T. Suzuki.
The commercialization and technologization of ancient practices such as meditation raise ethical questions. However, adapting Buddhist teachings (dharma) to new contexts is a complex, risky, but potentially valuable process. It is important to approach this process wisely, as the future of our mental health may depend on it.
Contemplative science
Contemplative science is an interdisciplinary field that studies the effects of meditation, prayer and psychedelics on the mind, brain and body. Its origins in the United States date back to the 1960s, when Buddhist ideas attracted the attention of members of the counterculture, including scientists and lawyers. At the time, meditation was seen as a path to a profound transformation of consciousness and awakening, as described by D.T. Suzuki.
In contrast to the modern commercialization of meditation, in the 1960s it was taught as a path to a profound transformation of consciousness. However, as the counterculture waned, interest in meditation as a means of awakening declined and it came to be seen as a frivolous hobby.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, a scientist and meditation practitioner, suggested a way to bring meditation back into the mainstream. He founded the Stress Reduction Clinic in 1979, developing an eight-week MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) program focused on mindfulness of the present moment. This secular and measurable approach made meditation accessible to a wide audience.
In the early 2000s, after the Dalai Lama spoke at the Society for Neuroscience conference, interest in mindfulness research skyrocketed. Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of MBSR in improving health.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, a scientist and meditation practitioner, suggested a way to bring meditation back into the mainstream. He founded the Stress Reduction Clinic in 1979, developing an eight-week MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) program focused on mindfulness of the present moment. This secular and measurable approach made meditation accessible to a wide audience.
In the early 2000s, after the Dalai Lama spoke at the Society for Neuroscience conference, interest in mindfulness research skyrocketed. Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of MBSR in improving health.
However, as controlled studies and meta-analyses were conducted, meditation came to be seen as another effective medical intervention comparable in effectiveness to cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressants.
Despite the positive results, the question arises as to whether stress reduction is the true purpose of meditation. Researchers agree that meditation is more than just an effective treatment, and new approaches are needed to explore its underlying potential.
Next generation of contemplative science
Contemporary contemplative science focused on psychological transformation is forming new research institutions. Matthew Sackett is expanding the Meditation Research Program to create the Center for the Science of Meditation to study deep meditative experiences characterized by changes in perceptions of meaning in life and increased well-being.
Ruben Laukkonen, using cognitive neuroscience and new theoretical frameworks, is developing methods for meditation research. He applies machine learning models to analyze brain activity and determine the «depth» of meditation, defining it as the degree to which the mind engages in abstract thinking. A lower degree of abstract thinking indicates a deeper meditative experience.
Despite the positive results, the question arises as to whether stress reduction is the true purpose of meditation. Researchers agree that meditation is more than just an effective treatment, and new approaches are needed to explore its underlying potential.
Next generation of contemplative science
Contemporary contemplative science focused on psychological transformation is forming new research institutions. Matthew Sackett is expanding the Meditation Research Program to create the Center for the Science of Meditation to study deep meditative experiences characterized by changes in perceptions of meaning in life and increased well-being.
Ruben Laukkonen, using cognitive neuroscience and new theoretical frameworks, is developing methods for meditation research. He applies machine learning models to analyze brain activity and determine the «depth» of meditation, defining it as the degree to which the mind engages in abstract thinking. A lower degree of abstract thinking indicates a deeper meditative experience.
New technologies make it possible to study ancient claims of unusual meditative states under controlled conditions. Researchers are studying nirodha samapatti, a state of temporary cessation of consciousness described in Buddhist texts, where experienced meditators can turn off consciousness at will for a period of time, after which they return awake and rested.
Laukkonen and Sackett have conducted research involving a person able to enter a state of nirodha samapatti on command. Preliminary data show neural correlates of this state, characterized by decreased alpha brain activity before, during, and after cessation of consciousness. Similar results have been obtained in studies of brief microstops of consciousness.
The possibility of controlled shutdown of consciousness points to the potential evolutionary value of short-term mental hibernation or to the presence of opportunities in deep layers of consciousness that promote well-being. Advanced meditation can help reprogram inherited responses that are no longer relevant in today's environment.
Laukkonen and Sackett have conducted research involving a person able to enter a state of nirodha samapatti on command. Preliminary data show neural correlates of this state, characterized by decreased alpha brain activity before, during, and after cessation of consciousness. Similar results have been obtained in studies of brief microstops of consciousness.
The possibility of controlled shutdown of consciousness points to the potential evolutionary value of short-term mental hibernation or to the presence of opportunities in deep layers of consciousness that promote well-being. Advanced meditation can help reprogram inherited responses that are no longer relevant in today's environment.
Meditation for everyone
«My hope is that this work will eventually spread advanced meditation beyond the monastery» — Sackett said, describing its incredible promise of going beyond addressing mental health issues and promoting human flourishing.
In order for meditation to reach a wider range of people, it is important to recognize that many people have no interest in the practice. One famous study showed that participants would rather receive an electric shock than sit in silence for 15 minutes. This is the minimum amount of time for even basic mindfulness meditation. Although unusual states can occur at any point in the practice, those who seek deeper experiences usually meditate for an hour a day or more. Some devote a lifetime to it, and some even several lifetimes if they believe in reincarnation. But most people don't have time for it.
American culture, however, strives for optimization. Is it possible to achieve the same or even better results with less effort? Is it possible to automate part of the process? Research labs and venture capitalists are already exploring how to get meditation results faster and more efficiently than decades of practice.
One strand of these efforts is the concept of «spiritual technologies», which includes brain stimulation, neurofeedback, and psychedelics. While such practices are not new — mantras and monasteries can also be considered forms of spiritual technologies that have been used for centuries — modern methods seem to be coming closer to breaking down the barriers that prevent people from experiencing advanced meditative states.
«My hope is that this work will eventually spread advanced meditation beyond the monastery» — Sackett said, describing its incredible promise of going beyond addressing mental health issues and promoting human flourishing.
In order for meditation to reach a wider range of people, it is important to recognize that many people have no interest in the practice. One famous study showed that participants would rather receive an electric shock than sit in silence for 15 minutes. This is the minimum amount of time for even basic mindfulness meditation. Although unusual states can occur at any point in the practice, those who seek deeper experiences usually meditate for an hour a day or more. Some devote a lifetime to it, and some even several lifetimes if they believe in reincarnation. But most people don't have time for it.
American culture, however, strives for optimization. Is it possible to achieve the same or even better results with less effort? Is it possible to automate part of the process? Research labs and venture capitalists are already exploring how to get meditation results faster and more efficiently than decades of practice.
One strand of these efforts is the concept of «spiritual technologies», which includes brain stimulation, neurofeedback, and psychedelics. While such practices are not new — mantras and monasteries can also be considered forms of spiritual technologies that have been used for centuries — modern methods seem to be coming closer to breaking down the barriers that prevent people from experiencing advanced meditative states.
One such area is transcranial ultrasound stimulation, which Jay Sanguinetti and Shinzen Young are working on in the SEMA (Science Enhanced Mindful Awareness) lab at the University of Arizona. In previous studies, they have shown that directed ultrasound pulses can alter connections in the brain. Now they are investigating whether sonication — targeting ultrasound waves to the brain in configurations associated with deep states of meditation — can accelerate this process.
Democratizing access to deep meditative experiences is exciting, but there are risks. Although they are rare, negative consequences such as anxiety states or psychotic breakdowns are possible. Young mentioned «falling into the Pit of Emptiness», describing how intense experiences can go wrong. Psychiatry professor Willoughby Britton's research on negative meditative experiences previously lacked sufficient clinical support.
Democratizing access to deep meditative experiences is exciting, but there are risks. Although they are rare, negative consequences such as anxiety states or psychotic breakdowns are possible. Young mentioned «falling into the Pit of Emptiness», describing how intense experiences can go wrong. Psychiatry professor Willoughby Britton's research on negative meditative experiences previously lacked sufficient clinical support.
Even now, Daniel Ingram, a former physician and author of Mastering the Essential Teachings of the Buddha, warns of the gap between people's experience and understanding of that experience in clinical practice.
Young noted in a promotional video for his study, «Pardon my French, but we're scared to death of this technology». Nevertheless, as with AI, work on it continues. The hope is that researchers can approach it more cautiously than companies seeking quick profits.
Wago noted that support systems can help one cope with negative experiences. Once a person gets into the brain state associated with deep meditation, enlightenment is not automatically fixed. He added that «psychedelics and brain stimulation technologies can get us there quickly, but it's important to know how to work with it». Without proper training and practice of meditation, there can be adverse effects that cause feelings of isolation.
There is also the question of whether technology can really provide the same experience as years of meditation. Should meditators strive for a certain brain state by any means necessary, or is it the path itself that matters?
Young noted in a promotional video for his study, «Pardon my French, but we're scared to death of this technology». Nevertheless, as with AI, work on it continues. The hope is that researchers can approach it more cautiously than companies seeking quick profits.
Wago noted that support systems can help one cope with negative experiences. Once a person gets into the brain state associated with deep meditation, enlightenment is not automatically fixed. He added that «psychedelics and brain stimulation technologies can get us there quickly, but it's important to know how to work with it». Without proper training and practice of meditation, there can be adverse effects that cause feelings of isolation.
There is also the question of whether technology can really provide the same experience as years of meditation. Should meditators strive for a certain brain state by any means necessary, or is it the path itself that matters?
«If you put people into these states, they may start to think of it as the ultimate goal. Then they come to the practice of meditation with a misunderstanding of its goals and try to reach a state that prevents them from experiencing all the beneficial transformations» — Laukkonen noted.
In his view, meditation should not be seen as a way to achieve altered states of mind; it is merely a side effect. The main purpose of meditation is to bring about profound changes in consciousness and the development of stable traits, not just temporary states. Nevertheless, some altered states can facilitate the discovery and stabilization of these traits.
Contemplative traditions embrace paradox as an important element of their teachings. Optimizing it, however, can be challenging. Ultimately, it can strengthen the constructs that meditation seeks to dismantle. Laukkonen supports research into spiritual technology, but emphasizes that it is about freedom and liberation. «What's liberating about chasing different states of consciousness rather than enjoying what you already have?» — he wonders.
Does it need to be controlled?
Will the burgeoning field of contemplative science cause Americans to seek freedom and liberation? As Ingraham noted «People want to live long, happy, and good lives most of the time. The problem is that we don't really know how to achieve that». We have done extensive multigenerational studies of cardiovascular disease and in-depth epidemiologic analyses of the effects of diet on health. However, we have limited peer-reviewed research on the deep spiritual experiences that can dramatically change people and address the roots of suffering rooted in their psychological habits.
Now that contemplative scientists are delving deeper into these issues, Ingram hopes that health officials will follow suit. In addition to in-depth scientific knowledge that can help popularize advanced meditation, there is a need for better clinical support for those who already have such experiences. Ingram, Sackett, and Vago are part of the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (EPRC), a network of scholars and practitioners seeking to create a deeper dialog between clinical care, public health, and the spiritual aspects of human experience. Their ideas can be described as deeply bureaucratic: they call for new diagnostic codes, revised medical textbooks, more informative public health guidelines, and improved insurance reimbursement procedures.
Will the burgeoning field of contemplative science cause Americans to seek freedom and liberation? As Ingraham noted «People want to live long, happy, and good lives most of the time. The problem is that we don't really know how to achieve that». We have done extensive multigenerational studies of cardiovascular disease and in-depth epidemiologic analyses of the effects of diet on health. However, we have limited peer-reviewed research on the deep spiritual experiences that can dramatically change people and address the roots of suffering rooted in their psychological habits.
Now that contemplative scientists are delving deeper into these issues, Ingram hopes that health officials will follow suit. In addition to in-depth scientific knowledge that can help popularize advanced meditation, there is a need for better clinical support for those who already have such experiences. Ingram, Sackett, and Vago are part of the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (EPRC), a network of scholars and practitioners seeking to create a deeper dialog between clinical care, public health, and the spiritual aspects of human experience. Their ideas can be described as deeply bureaucratic: they call for new diagnostic codes, revised medical textbooks, more informative public health guidelines, and improved insurance reimbursement procedures.
In a broader context, Ingram noted that better packaging of information is needed to convey the knowledge that contemplative scientists can gain through the study of advanced meditation. We already have concepts like biological taxonomy and genetics that provide a common ground for cross-cultural understanding and exploration of universally relevant questions. «We need something like this for the deep study of spiritual experience» — he explained. What will work as effectively in Riyadh as it does in Rome, Rio de Janeiro, or rural Alabama? What is its functional and scalable essence?
Perhaps the essentials of the complex field of advanced meditation will forever be beyond the reach of scientific inquiry, mass perception, and bureaucratic integration, at least in part. Nevertheless, the growing field of contemplative science is actively exploring the boundaries of this knowledge. As the best spiritual teachers emphasize, rather than blindly trusting someone else's words, we need to discern the question for ourselves.
Perhaps the essentials of the complex field of advanced meditation will forever be beyond the reach of scientific inquiry, mass perception, and bureaucratic integration, at least in part. Nevertheless, the growing field of contemplative science is actively exploring the boundaries of this knowledge. As the best spiritual teachers emphasize, rather than blindly trusting someone else's words, we need to discern the question for ourselves.