Quantitative EEG Study on Zen Meditation (Zazen)
Tetsuhito Murata, Yoshifumi Koshino, Masao Omori, Ichiro Murata, Masashi Nishio, Kazumasa Sakamoto, Tan Horie, Kiminori Isaki
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences December 1, 1994 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.1994.tb03090.x via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractDuring Zen meditation (Zazen), slow alpha brain waves appeared in most subjects regardless of meditation experience, but theta waves appeared only in monks (priests and disciples), predominantly in the frontal region. The frequency of theta waves increased with more years of Zen training. In experienced monks, theta 2–3 (6.0–8.0 Hz) waves increased while the increase in alpha 2 (9.0–10.0 Hz) waves was attenuated over the course of meditation. These EEG changes may reflect a mental state of relaxation combined with heightened consciousness induced by Zazen.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | 20 monks of the Soto sect (10 priests, 10 disciples) and 10 control subjects with no Zen training experience |
| Intervention | Zen meditation (Zazen) |
| Citations | 38 |
| Key finding | Theta waves appeared only in monks during meditation, with frequency increasing proportionally to length of Zen training experience. |
Abstract
Abstract: Quantitative EEG was continuously recorded prior to and during Zen meditation (Zazen) in 20 monks of the Soto sect (Group P: 10 priests; Group D: 10 disciples) and 10 control subjects with no experience in Zen training (Group C). As shown by an EEG topography during meditation, slow alpha appeared in the majority of subjects regardless of their experience in Zen training, while theta appeared only in Groups P and D predominantly in the frontal region, with its frequency increasing in proportion to an increasing length of experience in Zen training. In the quantitative analysis, in the monks with experience in Zen training, it was suggested that theta 2–3 (6.0–8.0 Hz) waves increased while the degree of increase in alpha 2 (9.0–10.0 Hz) wave was attenuated during the temporal course of meditation. The present EEG changes occurring during meditation may reflect intrinsic changes induced by Zazen, namely a mental state in which despite the attainment of relaxation the quality of consciousness is heightened.