Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Psychophysiological Model of Meditation and Altered States of Consciousness: A Critical Review

  • Chapter
The Psychobiology of Consciousness

Abstract

In recent years, a growing literature has addressed itself to the psychophysiological bases of altered states of consciousness (ASCs). An unprecedented interest in meditation, biofeedback, and other techniques for altering consciousness reflects in part the widespread notion that science has begun to understand the physiological bases of these states. Thus, based on research involving practitioners of Yoga, Zen, or Transcendental Meditation (TM), meditation has been considered a unique psychophysiological state, associated with a distinct configuration of autonomic and electrocortical changes. For example, it has been proposed on the basis of these data that the practice of Transcendental Meditation leads to the experience of a fourth major state of consciousness, distinct from waking, dreaming, and nondreaming sleep (Wallace, 1970).

The beginning of knowledge is the realization that interpretation stands for interpretation; the end of knowledge is the decision that interpretation stands for something, or is the interpretation of something.

—Sankara

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Aaronson, B. S. ASCID trance, hypnotic trance, just trance. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 1961, 16(2), 110–117

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Adey, W. R. Spectral analysis of EEG data from animals and man during alerting, orienting, and discriminative responses. In C. R. Evans and T. B. Mulholland (Eds.), Attention in neurophysiology. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anand, B. K., Chhina, G. S., and Singh, B. Some aspects of electroencephalographic studies in yogis. Elect roencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1961, 13, 452–456.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagchi, B. K., and Wenger, M. A. Electrophysiological correlates of some yogi exercises. Electroencepholography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1957, 7, 132–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Banquet, J. P. Spectral analysis of the EEG in meditation. Electroencepholography and Clinical Neurophysiology,1973, 35, 143–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beatty, J., Greenberg, A., Diebler, W., and Ohanlon, J. Operant control of occipital theta rhythm affects performance in a radar monitoring task. Science, 1974, 183, 871–873.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beatty, J., and Kornfeld, C. Relative independence of conditioned EEG changes from cardiac and respiratory activity. Physiology and Behavior, 1972, 9, 733–736.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Becker, H. S. History, culture, and subjective experience: An exploration of the social bases of drug-induced experiences. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 1967, 8(3), 163–176.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Benson, H., Beary, J. F., and Carol, M. P. The relaxation response. Psychiatry, 1974, 37(1), 37–46.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bourgignon, E. Trance dance. In J. White (Ed.), The highest state of consciousness. New York: Doubleday/Anchor, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, B. B. Recognition of aspects of consciousness through association with EEG alpha activity represented by a light-signal. Psychophysiology, 1970, 6, 442–452.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, B. B. Awareness of EEG-subjective activity relationships detected within a closed feedback system. Psychophysiology, 1971, 7, 451–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, B. B. Stress and the art of biofeedback. New York: Bantam, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, C. C., Fischer, R., Wagman, A. M. I., Horrom, N., and Marks, P. The EEG in meditation and therapeutic touch healing. Journal of Altered States of Consciousness, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, D. P. Levels of concentrative meditation. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 1977, 25(4), 236–273.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Budzynski, T. H., Stoyva, J. M., and Adler, C. S. Feedback-induced muscle relaxation: Application to tension headache. Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry,1970, 1, 205–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Budzynski, T. H. Some applications of biofeedback induced twilight states. Fields within Fields within Fields, 1972, 5, 105–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burke, O. M. Among the dervishes. London: Octagon Press, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, A. Seven states of consciousness. New York: Perennial Library, Harper and Row, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curtis, W. D., and Wessberg, H. W. A comparison of heart rate, respiration, and galvanic skin response among meditators, relaxers, and controls. Journal of Altered States of Consciousness, 1976, 2(4), 319–324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Das, J. P. Yoga and hypnosis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 1963, 11(1), 31–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Das, N. N., and Gastaut, H. Variations de l’activité électrique du cerveau, du coeur, et des muscles squelettiques au cours de la méditation et de l’extase yogique. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology,1955, Suppl. 6, 211–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, J. M. The physiology of meditation and mystical states of consciousness. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 1976, 19, 345–379.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, R. J. Specificity and patterning in biobehavioral systems: Implications for behavior change. American Psychologist, 1978, 35, 430–435.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, R. J., and Coleman, D. J. The role of attention in meditation and hypnosis: A psychobiological perspective on transformations of consciousness. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis,1977, 25(4), 291–308.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, R. J., and Schwartz, G. E. The psychobiology of relaxation and related states: A multi-process theory. In D. Mostofsky (Ed.), Behavior control and modification of physiological activity. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, H., Davis, P. A., Loomis, A. L., Harvey, E. N., and Hobart, G. Human brain potentials during the onset of sleep. Journal of Neurophysiology, 1937, 1, 24–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, K. L., Hollister, L. E., Overall, J., Johnson, A. and Train, K. Physostigmine: Effects on cognition and affect in normal subjects. Psychopharmacology, 1976, 51, 23–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Degood, D. E., and Chisholm, R. C. Multiple response comparison of parietal EEG and frontalis EMG biofeedback. Psychophysiology, 1977, 14(3), 258–265.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deikman, A. Deautomatization and the mystical experience. Psychiatry, 1966, 29, 324–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deikman, A. The meaning of everything. In R. Ornstein (Ed.), The nature of human consciousness. San Francisco: Freeman, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewan, E. M. Occipital alpha rhythm, eye position, and lens accommodation. Nature, 1967, 241, 975–977.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edelman, R. I. Effects of progressive relaxation on autonomic processes. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1970, 26, 421–425.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elson, B. D., Hauri, P., and Cunis, D. Physiological changes in yoga meditation. Psychophysiology,1977, 14(1), 52–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, F. J. Hypnosis and sleep: Techniques for exploring cognitive activity during sleep. In E. Fromm and R. E. Shor (Eds.), Hypnosis: Research developments and perspectives. London: Paul Elek (Scientific Books), 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenwick, P. B. C., Donaldson, S., Gillis, L., Bushman, J., Fenton, G. W., Perry, I., Tilsley, C., and Serafinowicz, H. Metabolic and EEG changes during transcendental meditation: An explanation. Biological Psychology, 1977, 5(2), 101–118.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, R. A cartography of the ecstatic and meditative states. Science, 1971, 174, 897–904.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Floor, E. R. The brain in samadhi: An hypothesis. Unpublished manuscript, Harvard University, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foulkes, D., and Vogel, G. Mental activity at sleep onset. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1965, 70, 231–243.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gellhorn, E., and Kiely, W. F. Mystical states of consciousness: Neurophysiological and clinical aspects. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease,1972, 154, 299–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gellhorn, E., and Loofbourrow, G. N. Emotions and emotional disorders. New York: Harper and Row, 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldie, L. and Green, J. M. Changes in mode of respiration as an indication of level of awareness. Nature, 1961, 189, 581–582.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goleman, D. The Buddha on meditation and states of consciousness. Part 1: The teachings. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 1972, 4(1), 1–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goleman, D. The varieties of the meditation experience. New York: Dutton, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goyeche, J. R. M., Chihara, T., and Shimizu, H. Two concentration methods: A preliminary comparison. Psychologia, 1972, 15, 110–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, E. Biofeedback for mind-body self-regulation: Healing and creativity. In D. Shapiro, T. X. Barker, L. V. DiCara, J. Kamiya, and J. Stoyva (Eds.), Biofeedback and self-control. Chicago: Aldine, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, E., Green, A., and Walters, E. D. Voluntary control of internal states: Psychological and physiological. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 1970, 1, 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenfield, T. K. Individual differences and mystical experience in response to three forms of meditation. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grossberg, J. M. Brain wave feedback experiments and the concept of mental mechanisms. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 1972, 3, 245–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hardt, J. V., and Kamiya, J. Some comments on Plotkin’s self-regulation of EEG alpha. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 1976, 105, 100–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hassett, J., and Schwartz, G. E. Relationships between heart rate and occipital alpha: A biofeedback approach. Psychophysiology, 1975, 12, 228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hebert, R., Sr Lehmann, D. Theta bursts: An EEG pattern in normal subjects practicing the transcendental meditation technique. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neuro-physiology, 1977, 42, 397–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hilgard, E. Neodissociation theory of multiple cognitive control systems. In G. E. Schwartz and D. Shapiro (Eds.), Consciousness and self-regulation, Vol. 1. New York: Plenum, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirai, T. Psychophysiology of Zen. Tokyo: Igaku Shoin, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, H. F., and Chefurka, C. M. A test of the psychedelic model of altered states of consciousness. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1976, 33, 867–876.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jevening, R., Wilson, A. F., Smith, W. R., and Morton, M. Redistribution of blood flow in transcendental meditation. Paper presented at the Society for Psychophysiological Research, Toronto, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, L. C. A psychophysiology for all states. Psychophysiology, 1970, 6, 501–516.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kamiya, J. Operant control of the EEG alpha and some of its reported effects on consciousness. In C. Tart (Ed.), Altered states of consciousness. New York: Wiley, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamiya, J. Autoregulation of the EEG alpha rhythm: A program for the study of consciousness. In T. X. Barber, L. V. Dicara, J. Kamiya, N. E. Miller, D. Shapiro, and J. Stoyva (Eds.), Biofeedback and self-control. Chicago: Aldine, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, C. The states of human consciousness. New Hyde Park, N.Y.: University Books, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krippner, S. Hypnosis and attention: A review. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis,1974, 16(3), 166–177.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kubose, S. K. An experimental investigation of psychological aspects of meditation. Psychologia, 1976, 19(1), 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Legrand, P., Toubol, M., Barrabino, J., Darcourt, G., and Fadeuilhe, A. Contingent negative variation in meditation. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1977, 43(4), 532 (abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann, D. Multichannel topography of human alpha EEG fields. Electroencephalography of Clinical Neurophysiology, 1971, 31, 439–449.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liberson, W. T., and Liberson, C. W. EEG records, reaction times, eye movements, respiration, and mental content during drowsiness. Recent Advances in Biological Psychiatry, 1966, 8, 295–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsley, D. Psychological phenomena and the electroencephalogram. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1952, 4, 443–456.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ludwig, A. Altered states of consciousness. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1966, 15, 228–234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luria, A. R., Sr Homskaya, E. D. Frontal lobes and the regulation of arousal processes. In D. I. Mostofsky (Ed.), Attention: Contemporary theory and analysis. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luthe, W. (Ed.). Autogenic training. New York: Crune and Stratton, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lutzenberger, W., Birbaumer, N., and Steinmetz, P. Simultaneous biofeedback of heart rate and frontal EMG as a pretraining for the control of EEG theta activity. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 1976, 1(4), 395–410.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lynch, J. J., and Paskewitz, D. A. On the mechanisms of the feedback control of human brain wave activity. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease,1971, 153, 205.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maslow, A. H. Towards a humanistic biology. American Psychologist, 1969, 24, 724–735.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michaels, R. R., Huber, M. J., and Mccann, D. S. Evaluation of transcendental meditation as a method of reducing stress. Science, 1976, 192, 1242–1244.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mills, G. K., and Campbell, K. A critique of Gellhorn and Kielÿ s mystical states of consciousness. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 1974, 159(3), 191–195.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mulholland, T. B. The concept of attention and the electroencephalographic alpha rhythm. In C. R. Evans and T. M. Mulholland (Eds.), Attention in neurophysiology. New York: Appleton-Century-Croft, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulholland, T., and Peper, E. Occipital alpha and accommodative vergence, pursuit tracking, and fast eye movements. Psychophysiology, 1971, 8(5), 556–575.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mulholland, T., and Runnals, S. Increased occurrence of EEG alpha during increased attention. Journal of Psychology, 1962, 54, 317–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naranjo, C. The domain of meditation. In J. White (Ed.), What is meditation? New York: Doubleday/Anchor, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nowlis, D. P., and Kamiya, L. The control of electroencephalographic alpha rhythms through auditory feedback and the associated mental activity. Psychophysiology, 1970, 6, 476–484.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Orme-Johnson, D. W. Autonomic stability and transcendental meditation. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1973, 35, 341–349.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Orme-Johnson, D. W. EEG coherence during transcendental consciousness. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1977, 43(4), 581 (abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pagano, R. R., Rose, R. M., Stivers, R. M., and Warrenburg, S. Sleep during transcendental meditation. Science, 1976, 191(4224), 308–309.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paskewitz, D., Lynch, J. J., Orne, M., and Costello, J. The feedback control of alpha activity: Conditioning or disinhibition. Psychophysiology, 1970, 6, 637–638.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paul, G. Physiological effects of relaxation training and hypnotic suggestion. Journal of Abnormal Psychology,1969, 74, 425–437.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pelletier, K. R. Neurophysiological parameters of alpha, theta, and cardiovascular control. Paper presented at Western Psychological Association, San Francisco, April 24–27, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelletier, K. R., and Peper, E. The chutzpah factor in altered states of consciousness. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 1976, 17(1), 63–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peper, E., and Ancoli, S. The two endpoints of an EEG continuum of meditation-Alpha/ theta and fast beta. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 1977, 2(3), 289–290 (abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Plotkin, W. B. On the self-regulation of the occipital alpha rhythm control strategies, states of consciousness, and the role of physiological feedback. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1976, 105, 66–99.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Plotkin, W. B., and Cohen, R. Occipital alpha and the attributes of the “alpha experience.” Psychophysiology,1976, 13(1), 16–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Plotkin, W. B., Mazer, C., and Loewy, D. Alpha enhancement and the likelihood of an alpha experience. Psychophysiology,1976, 13(5), 466–471.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Porges, S. W. Peripheral and neurochemical parallels of psychopathology: A psychophysiological model relating autonomic imbalance to hyperactivity, psychopathy, and autism. Advances in Child Development and Behavior,1976, 11, 35–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pribram, K. H., and Mcguinness, D. Arousal, activation, and effort in the control of attention. Psychological Review, 1975, 82(2), 116–149.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rajneesh, B. S. Meditation: The art of ecstasy. New York: Harper and Row, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rechtschaffen, A. Scientific method in the study of altered states of consciousness with illustrations from sleep and dream research. In Altered States of Consciousness: Current Views and Research Problems. Washington, D.C.; Drug Abuse Council, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, L. J. Human EEG response to certain rhythmic patterned auditory stimuli, with possible relations to EEG lateral asymmetry measures and EEG correlates of chanting. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Department of Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schacter, D. L. The hypnagogic state: A critical review of the literature. Psychological Bulletin, 1976, 83(3), 452–481.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, G. E. Meditation as an altered trait of consciousness: Current findings on stress reactivity, attentional flexibility, and creativity. Paper read at the 82nd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, New Orleans, September 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, G. E., Shaw, G., and Shapiro, D. Specificity of alpha and heart rate control through feedback. Psychophysiology, 1972, 9, 269 (abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, D. A biofeedback strategy in the study of consciousness. In N. E. Zinberg (Ed.), Alternate states of consciousness. New York: Free Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shor, R. E. Hypnosis and the concept of the generalized reality-orientation. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 1959, 13, 582–602.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sittenfeld, P., Budzynski, T., and Stoyva, J. Differential shaping of EEG theta rhythms. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 1976, 1, 31–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stoyva, J. Biofeedback techniques and the conditions for hallucinatory activity. In F. J. McGuigan and R. A. Schoonover (Eds.), The psychophysiology of thinking. New York: Academic, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoyva, J. M., and Budzynski, T. H. Cultivated low arousal-An antistress response? In L. V. DiCara (Ed.), Recent advances in limbic and autonomic nervous systems research. New York: Plenum, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoyva, J. M., and Kamiya, J. Electrophysiological studies of dreaming as the prototype of a new strategy in the study of consciousness. Psychological Review, 1968, 75, 192–205.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Suter, S., Johnson, T., Franconi, L., and Smith, D. Independent biofeedback control of EEG alpha and skin conductance. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 1977, 2(3), 295 (abstract).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tart, C. States of consciousness. New York: Dutton, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tebecis, A. K. A controlled study of the EEG during transcendental meditation: Comparison with hypnosis. Folia Psychiatrica et Neurologica Japonica,1975, 29(4), 305–313.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tebecis, A. K. Eye movements during transcendental meditation. Folia Psychiatrica et Neurologica Japonica, 1976, 30, 487–493.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tebecis, A. K., Provins, K. A., Farnbach, R. W., and Pentony, P. Hypnosis and the EEG. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease,1975, 161(1), 1–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tecce, J. J. Attention and evoked potentials in man. In D. I. Mostofsky (Ed.), Attention: Contemporary theory and analysis. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Timmons, B., Salamy, J., Kamiya, J., and Girton, D. Abdominal-thoracic respiratory movements and levels of arousal. Psychonomic Science, 1972, 27, 173–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Travis, T., Kondo, C., and Knott, J. Alpha enhancement research: A review. Biological Psychiatry, 1975, 10(1), 69–90.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Travis, T. A., Kondo, C. Y., and Knott, J. R. Heart rate, muscle tension, and alpha production of transcendental meditators and relaxation controls. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 1976, 1(4), 387–395.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Nuys, D. A novel technique for studying attention during meditation. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 1971, 2, 125–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogel, G., Foulkes, D., and Trosman, H. Ego functions and dreaming during sleep onset. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1966, 14, 238–248.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, R. K. Physiological effects of transcendental meditation. Science, 1970, 167, 1751–1754.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, R. K., Benson, H., and Wilson, A. F. A wakeful hypometabolic physiologic state. American Journal of Physiology, 1971, 221, 795.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walrath, L. C., and Hamilton, D. W. Autonomic correlates of meditation and hypnosis. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 1975, 17(3), 190–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walsh, D. Interactive effects of alpha feedback and instructional set on subjective state. Psychophysiology, 1974, 11(4), 428–435.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Warrenburg, S., Pagano, R., Woods, M., and Hlastala, M. Oxygen consumption, H.R., EMG, and EEG during progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and transcendental meditation (TM). Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 1977, 2(3), 321. (abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wenger, M. A., and Bagchi, B. K. Studies of autonomic functions in practitioners of yoga in India. Behavioral Science, 1961, 6, 312–323.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wickramasekara, I. Biofeedback behavior therapy and hypnosis: Potentiating the verbal control of behavior for clinicians. Chicago: Nelson-Hall, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woolfolk, R. L. Psychophysiological correlates of meditation. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1975, 32, 1326–1333.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaguchi, Y. Frontal theta burst and personality factors. Elect roencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1977, 43(4), 528 (abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Younger, J., Adriance, W., and Berger, R. Sleep during transcendental meditation. In M. H. Chase, W. C. Stern, and P. L. Walter (Eds.), Sleep Research, Vol. 2. Los Angeles: Brain Information Service/Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 1973 (abstract).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Los Angeles, 90024, USA

    Marjorie Schuman

Authors
  1. Marjorie Schuman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA

    Julian M. Davidson

  2. Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Purchase, Purchase, New York, USA

    Richard J. Davidson

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1980 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Schuman, M. (1980). The Psychophysiological Model of Meditation and Altered States of Consciousness: A Critical Review. In: Davidson, J.M., Davidson, R.J. (eds) The Psychobiology of Consciousness. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3456-9_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3456-9_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-3458-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-3456-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation