Ricerc@Sapienza

Meditation has been integrated into different therapeutic interventions. To inform the evidence-based selection of specific meditation types it is crucial to understand the neural processes associated with different meditation practices. Here we explore commonalities and differences in electroencephalographic oscillatory spatial synchronisation patterns across three important meditation types. Highly experienced meditators engaged in focused attention, open monitoring, and loving kindness meditation.

We propose a theoretical framework that integrates the dynamics of mind wandering and meta-awareness into the practice of mindfulness meditation, referring to the Meta-Awareness Hypothesis (Smallwood, 2013) and to the cycle of cognitive states theorized by Hesenkamp et al. (2012). We present a study that investigates the relationship between mind wandering and mindfulness and the effects of mindfulness training on spontaneous thoughts.