Autonomic and EEG patterns distinguish transcending from other experiencesduring Transcendental Meditation practice

This study compared EEG and autonomic patterns during transcending to 'othe r' experiences during Transcendental Meditation (TM) practice. To correlate specific meditation experiences with physiological measures, the experimen ter rang a bell three times during the TM session. Subjects categorized the ir experiences around each bell ring. Transcending, in comparison to 'other ' experiences during TM practice, was marked by: (1) significantly lower br eath rates; (2) higher respiratory sinus arrhythmia amplitudes; (3) higher EEG alpha amplitude; and (4) higher alpha coherence. In addition, skin cond uctance responses to the experimenter-initiated bell rings were larger duri ng transcending. These findings suggest that monitoring patterns of physiol ogical variables may index dynamically changing inner experiences during me ditation practice. This could allow a more precise investigation into the n ature of meditation experiences and a more accurate comparison of meditatio n states with other eyes-closed conditions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.