The neuroscience of highly stable, positive, and refined states of consciousness during jhana-type advanced concentration absorption meditation (ACAM-J).

Advanced concentration absorption meditation (ACAM-J) produces a distinct, structured mode of awareness characterized by stable positive states and reduced narrative thought. In the first ultra-high-field (7T) fMRI study of jhana meditation, neural trajectories across eight successive states showed reorganization from anterior to posterior brain regions, flattening of cortical hierarchies, and nonlinear changes in global brain harmonics. These brain changes were tightly linked to equanimity, attentional stability, and behavior. Brain activity patterns associated with ACAM-J related more to attentional monitoring than to suffering-related processes. The findings suggest advanced meditation offers a framework for understanding psychological transformation and supporting human well-being.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Humans can experience a rich array of conscious experience, including highly stable, positive, and refined states of non-ordinary perception that can be elicited through advanced meditation. Here, we present the first group-level, ultra-high-field (7T) fMRI study of jhana advanced concentration absorption meditation (ACAM-J). We combined local (regional homogeneity), mesoscale (connectivity gradients), and global (geometric eigenmodes) human brain mapping with diverse and detailed phenomenology, meditative traits, behaviorally assessed cognitive functions, and extensive publicly available psychobehavioral affinity maps. Across eight successive states of ACAM-J, we observed reproducible neural trajectories marked by anterior-to-posterior reorganization, flattening of cortical hierarchies, nonlinear reconfiguration of global harmonics, and tight coupling between brain metrics and equanimity, attentional stability, and behavior. Neurosynth decoding further associate ACAM-J with reduced suffering-related processes and more with attentional monitoring. These findings suggest ACAM-J is a distinct, structured mode of awareness that persists despite radically reduced narrative thought and sensory content. Our findings also inform boundary conditions for current models of consciousness. More broadly, this research indicates that advanced meditation is a powerful framework for understanding psychological transformation, and for potential new opportunities for supporting human well-being and flourishing.