Distinct patterns of directed brain connectivity in focused attention, open monitoring and loving kindness meditation: An EEG Granger causality study with long-term meditators
Vasil Kolev, Kosio Beshkov, Peter Malinowski, Antonino Raffone, Juliana Yordanova
bioRxiv July 4, 2025 preprint DOI: 10.1101/2025.07.01.662572
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractLong-term meditators show distinct patterns of directed brain connectivity depending on the type of meditation they practice. Using EEG and Granger causality analysis, the study found that focused attention meditation produces different neural communication pathways compared to open monitoring and loving-kindness meditation. Each meditation style engages unique brain networks, suggesting that different meditative practices shape brain connectivity in specific ways. These findings indicate that the brain's neural pathways adapt to the particular cognitive demands of each meditation technique.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational study |
|---|---|
| Population | Long-term meditators |
| Intervention | Loving kindness meditation |
| Topics | Meditation Neuroplasticity |
| Keywords | Meditation meditative practices Contemplation Mental training Focused attention |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key finding | Different meditation styles (focused attention, open monitoring, loving-kindness) produce distinct patterns of directed brain connectivity as measured by EEG Granger causality. |
Abstract
Distinct patterns of directed brain connectivity in focused attention, open monitoring and loving kindness meditation: An EEG Granger causality study with long-term meditators