The article discusses the latest scientific research on the effects of meditation on the mind. It highlights a breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms of meditation, which is often described as a scientific “general theory of meditation.” This theory, proposed by scientists Ruben Laukkonen and Heleen Slagter, offers a framework for understanding how different meditation practices affect the mind, including focused attention, open-monitoring, non-dual, and cessation.
The article explains that meditation is often divided into four stages of depth, each with a corresponding style of practice: focused attention, open-monitoring, non-dual, and cessation. These stages can be thought of as rungs on a ladder, with the goal of progressing from basic mindfulness practices to more advanced forms of meditation.
The article also explores the concept of non-duality, which is the idea that at a deep level, all distinctions between subject and object, good and bad, and other dualities disappear, leaving only the present moment. This is often described as a state of “oneness” or “homecoming.”
Finally, the article discusses the concept of cessation, which is a deep state of meditation that can be achieved by advanced practitioners. In this state, the predictive mind, which normally generates our sense of self and the world, is deactivated, and consciousness is said to be “switched off.”
The article concludes by noting that while the new scientific model is not a replacement for spiritual or religious traditions, it offers a way to understand the effects of meditation and to develop a more nuanced and comprehensive approach to practicing meditation.