EL29 Mindfulness Meditation. General format of classes

Transcription

1 EL29 Mindfulness Meditation Lecture 1.2: Early forms of meditation and altered states of consciousness General format of classes! Part 1: Lecture on a given topic (30 min)! Part 2: Hand s-on practice of a meditation style (15 min) Brief instruction Class practice! Part 3: Time to write some reflections on what you experienced (5 min)! Part 4: Sharing & group discussion (20 min) 1

2 Christianity God Hinduism Atman/Brahman Final quick quiz to consolidate your memory! Name the lenses from which Christianity, Buddhism Hinduism & Buddhism view meditation Ok to chat with your neighbors Nirvana! Topics: 1 st Lecture Overview Definitions of meditation What meditation is What meditation is not Lectures available at: mindfulness-meditation 2

3 Key Learnings:! Key Learning #1:. The roots of meditation may go back 10s of thousands of years to early hunter gathers, who gazed into fires, were focused in hunting, and shamanic rituals.! Key Learning #2: Consciousness used to be the domain of philosophers, but is increasingly being studied by neuroscientists. There are many kinds of altered states of consciousness, including meditation.! Key Learning #3: Mystics of most religious traditions have explained these ASC through their own belief system and most of these pre-scientific interpretations are probably not true. Key Learnings:! Key Learning #1:. The roots of meditation may go back 10s of thousands of years to early hunter gathers, who gazed into fires, were focused in hunting, and shamanic rituals.! Key Learning #2: Consciousness used to be the domain of philosophers, but is increasingly being studied by neuroscientists. There are many kinds of altered states of consciousness, including meditation.! Key Learning #3: Mystics of most religious traditions have explained these ASC through their own belief system and most of these pre-scientific interpretations are probably not true. 3

4 Speculations on the deep origins of meditation! Gazing into fires by early hunter-gatherers. Safe, warm, reflective 800,000 BCE.! Hunting requires focus, quiet/ calm for long periods be in the prey.! Shaman's altered states of consciousness from ingesting hallucinogenic plants?! Ritualistic dances and rights of passage stomping, clapping, drumming & at times, psychoactive drugs, sets up altered states of consciousness in a community. Early archeological evidence! The people of the Indus Valley also appear to have worshipped a male god - "Pashupati" (Lord of Animals, Sanskrit paśupati) later, Shiva! The deity is wearing a headdress that has horns, the shape being reminiscent of the crescent moon that modern image of Siva shows on his forehead.! The deity sitting in a yoga-like position suggests that yoga and meditation may have been a legacy of the very first great culture that occupied India BCE. 4

5 Gazing, praying to religious icons! Icons help believers connect to God, gods or spiritual leaders.! Devotees gaze or pray to icons for long-periods of time a form of meditation.! Religious art becomes an expression of devotion/ faith/inspiration.! Large parts of our brains dedicated to processing visual imagery.! Aniconic - Icons related to God, Muhammad, prophets not allowed in Islam. Quick check: How much can you recall so far? Which of the following was probably NOT a type of early meditation? a) Shaman s taking natural narcotics b) Gazing into religious icons c) Ritualistic dancing d) Singing hymns and other spiritual songs 5

6 Key Learnings:! Key Learning #1:. The roots of meditation may go back 10s of thousands of years to early hunter gathers, who gazed into fires, were focused in hunting, and shamanic rituals.! Key Learning #2: Consciousness used to be the domain of philosophers, but is increasingly being studied by neuroscientists. There are many kinds of altered states of consciousness, including meditation.! Key Learning #3: Mystics of most religious traditions have explained these ASC through their own belief system and most of these pre-scientific interpretations are probably not true. What is Consciousness?! Formerly the domain of philosophers and theologians, now giving way to neuroscientists.! Definition: consciousness has been described as the state of being awake and aware of what is happening around you, and of having a sense of self Psychologists divide the Study of Consciousness into two distinct categories:! Waking Consciousness - The awareness of sensations and thoughts while we are awake (aka consciousness awareness)! Altered State of Consciousness (ASC) Midline structures in the brainstem and thalamus necessary to regulate the level of brain arousal. Small, bilateral lesions in many of these nuclei cause a global loss of consciousness Neural_correlates_of_consciousness 6

7 The Neuroscience of Consciousness: Consciousness not confined to one region of the brain.! Global Workspace Model: A dynamic integration of millions of neurons processing information constant flux where your attention is at any given moment. Characteristics of Altered States of Consciousness! Most people spend about two thirds of the day in normal waking consciousness (NWC)! When a person notices their level of mental functioning changing they are usually entering an altered state of consciousness (ASC) 7

8 Altered States of Consciousness (ASC)! The term altered state of consciousness refers to any state of consciousness which is distinctively different in level of awareness and experience from NWC, in terms of level of awareness and experience, the quality and intensity of sensations, perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and memories that are experienced.! In an ASC mental processing shows distinct changes specific to that particular state. Altered States of Consciousness! Some ASC s are natural sleep & dreaming! Others are purposely induced meditation, hypnosis, drug taking! Humans induce ASC for relaxation, therapy, or escapism from pressures in their lives! Common characteristics of ASC s: -Distortions of perception & cognition, -Disturbed sense of time, -Changes in emotional feeling, changes in self control 8

9 Farthing s List of Functions! These mental functions at least appear to change while in an altered state of consciousness: Attention Perception Imagery & Fantasy Inner Speech Memory High Level Thought Processes Meaning & Significance Time Perception Emotional Feeling & Expression Arousal Self-control Suggestibility Body Image Sense of Personal Identity! Question: What mental functions are left? ASCs may only be definable by analyzing the whole system General signs of an Altered State of Consciousness! Alterations in thinking: attention/concentration/ memory/judgment, trouble distinguishing between cause and effect! Disturbed time sense: time ceases to exist or goes by very quickly/very slowly. (Dreams)! Loss of control: feeling helpless. (Need to do things, but just can t Left Hemisphere jumping in something is wrong!)! Change in emotional expression: emotional extremes or becoming detached/expressionless.! Body image change: Boundaries between oneself and one s environment is blurred. Parts of the body may seem strange/heavy/awkward. 9

10 General signs of an Altered State of Consciousness (cont.)! Perceptual distortions: Seeing sound, Hearing color, also hallucinations.! Attaching increased meaning to experiences: Things become so profound!! Sense of the ineffable: Amnesia/vivid memories/inability to describe experiences to someone who has not undergone something similar! Feelings of rejuvenation: hope/feeling light, free euphoric. Also, becoming hypersuggestible. In Hypnotism, this the ideal state of the Hypnotee Altered States of Consciousness! Mental experiences that transcend ordinary experiences. Literally an altered state deviating from one s normal mental state. May induce emotions like: fear/anxiety, well-being, connection to supernatural entities. Encouraged and interpreted by many different cultures as important religious experiences.! Stroke of Insight: Jill Bolte Taylor on TED.com 10

11 Consciousness States: Medical Awareness allows us to receive and process information communicated by the five senses and thereby relate to ourselves and the rest of the world. Awareness has psychological and physiological components Meditative Sate? NWC Arousal is regulated solely by physiological functioning. Its primitive responsiveness to the world is demonstrated by predictable reflex to involuntary response to stimuli Altered States of Consciousness and the Brain Cerebral Cortex (when we think of the brain this is what usually comes to mind) Divided into right and left hemispheres, with each hemisphere's lobes responsible for specific functions: Frontal Lobes Have you ever experienced the phenomenon of arriving at school and not remembering driving there? The planning, organization and self-correction skills controlled by the frontal lobes are responsible for your safe arrival at school. If there had been a detour on the way, the frontal lobes' mental flexibility would have allowed you to alter your route and successfully complete your trip. Carrying out daily functions requires you to remain in control and generate alternatives when problems arise. Temporal Lobes -The ability to hum a tune (music), identify an airplane overhead (environmental sound), and recall a beautiful sunset (visual memory) = Right Temporal Lobe. This is the place for the senses, without worries, burdens, etc. produced in the Left Temporal lobe. It is this lobe that is stimulated most during an Altered State. -The ability to understand a teacher during a lecture (language comprehension), to name your friends and family (naming ability), and remember the words to The Star Spangled Banner (verbal memory) = Left Temporal Lobe. This is the area whose functioning is subdued/ halted during an Altered State, to achieve the sense of euphoria felt in the Right Temporal Lobe. Also, if damaged, may result in Golden Retriever syndrome. Limbic System In addition to the easily identifiable lobes, there are systems within the brain that connect the lobes. The system most sensitive to the results of head injury is the limbic system, which mediates mood, emotions, motivation, attention and memory. Injury to the system may be manifested in behaviors ranging from flat affect (no expression) to aggressiveness; from mild distractibility to the inability to pay attention for one minute; from almost imperceptible memory problems to the inability to recall dialing numbers on a phone (as in the video). Sensory Motor Strip Higher level motor behavior, such as the coordination of movement in walking. Parietal Lobes Allows you to find your way in the dark and sense your relationship with surroundings. Visual perception and analysis of space, as demonstrated by the ability to read a map or follow a maze, are also processed in these lobes. Location of the Orientation Association Structure Ex: If these are damaged, may not know where you end and the outside world begins. Occipital Lobes Control visual perception within both the right and left hemispheres. They receive the pattern for a picture, but do not interpret that picture. Damage to these areas results in a type of blindness. Ex: Numbers on the telephone/business card. Cerebellum Muscle coordination and balance. Brain Stem Life-sustaining functions such as regulation of blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and body temperature. The system that is responsible for the level of arousal and alertness is also in the brain stem and is known as the Reticular Activating System (RAS). The RAS, referred to in the book as the Sympathetic System functions like a dimmer in a light switch, increasing and decreasing the responsiveness to the environment. If the RAS is damaged, like a light that has been dimmed an altered state of consciousness such as a coma or a vegetative condition may result. An altered state may also result from overstimulation of this system. 11

12 Brain Waves Patterns Electrical Activity of the Brain! Brain wave patterns form EEG readings. Vary in: Frequency brainwaves per second Amplitude size of the peaks and troughs High Frequency Low Amplitude 12

13 Electrical Activity of the Brain The size and number of brain waves change with different states of consciousness:! Normal waking consciousness Beta waves: High frequency, Low amplitude (Ie. Lots of waves but not very high)! Extremely relaxed Alpha waves: High Frequency, Larger amplitude! Early stages of sleep Theta waves: Medium frequency, Some high amplitude (experienced meditators)! Deep Sleep Delta waves: Low Frequency, High amplitude Remember! Beta: Busy Brain awake & alert Alpha: Almost Asleep resting Theta: They re asleep or meditating Delta: Deep Sleep also know as slow wave sleep 13

14 Entering an Altered State of Consciousness! Sensory Deprivation or constant exposure to repetitive actions: Solitary Confinement and Assembly-line daydreaming! Sensory Overload: Opposite of the above, brought on by sports/ecstatic dancing/chanting, extreme pain, getting all worked up via sounds, smells, sights.! Continuous focus over long periods of time: Study/work for hours on end, mind may wander/dream.! Alterations to the Nervous System: Dehydration, sleep deprivation, hyperventilation, temporal lobe seizures (like video), recreational/prescribed drugs (e.g. Weed/Vicodin/ Morphine) Farthing s List of Functions! These mental functions at least appear to change while in an altered state of consciousness: Attention Group Work: Perception Imagery & Fantasy Inner Speech There are a number of indicators of changes in Memory High mental Level Thought functions Processes in Altered States of Meaning & Significance Consciousness how many can you name? Time Perception Emotional Feeling & Expression Arousal Self-control Suggestibility Body Image Sense of Personal Identity! Question: What mental functions are left? ASCs may only be definable by analyzing the whole system 14

15 Key Learnings:! Key Learning #1:. The roots of meditation may go back 10s of thousands of years to early hunter gathers, who gazed into fires, were focused in hunting, and shamanic rituals.! Key Learning #2: Consciousness used to be the domain of philosophers, but is increasingly being studied by neuroscientists. There are many kinds of altered states of consciousness, including meditation.! Key Learning #3: Mystics of most religious traditions have explained these ASC through their own belief system and most of these pre-scientific interpretations are probably not true. Religious interpretations of ASCs 1. Spirit Possession! A supernatural force (a spirit/god) enters a person s body.! An individual may be able to control the spirit, to heal/divine or the spirit may control the body and heal/divine without the host s knowledge.! Spirit possession may also be negative or unwanted. In this case exorcism rituals may be needed.! Trance state in which the Soul has left the body. Interpretations of the Altered State are based around the Soul s experience out of body. 15

16 Religious interpretations of ASCs 2. Unity with God/gods! Long periods of intense prayer or meditation! Loud music with a repetitive beat, ecstatic dancing, trance.! Brings members into a Unitary State with God, a state in which the individual experiences a feeling of becoming one with the supernatural. 3. Liberation from Suffering! Intense mediation practice over years! Practitioner comes to realize higher wisdom and overcome suffering Meditative state! Many forms such as yoga, Zen and transcendental meditation each of which has its basis in Eastern religion like Buddhism and Hinduism.! Meditation involves the use of a technique to deliberately alter NWC in order to induce an ASC characterized by a deep state of relaxation.! It typically involves altering the normal flow of conscious thoughts by focusing on a simple stimulus like breathing or a body part.! Suppresses activity of the sympathetic nervous system 16

17 Altered States of Consciousness and Religion! Fasting as a pathway to ASC: Abstaining from food/water, eating little over a multi-day period. In the absence of food, body will start to consume itself:! Fat stores around organs, other fat deposits! Muscle! After a few days of no food, feeling of hunger disappears to be replaced with Aggression/impulsive actions, decrease in competence, hallucinations, fatigue, lethargy, confusion, dizziness. An Altered State of Consciousness But also, a sign the body is dying! Altered States of Consciousness and Religion! Fasting as a pathway to ASC: Fasting in response to religious rituals, cleansing the spirit/soul, worthiness before deities, training to become a religious specialist! Ex: Moses 40 days/nights, 10 Commandments and communion w/ God.! Ex: Yom Kippur Day of Atonement No food or water from sunset to sunset for all healthy adults. One of the holiest and solemn Jewish holidays. Purity/reconciliation with God is stressed.! Ex: Ramadan (9 th month of the Islamic calendar when the Qur an was revealed). One of the 5 pillars of Islam. Every day from sun-up to sun-down, no food or water for healthy men and women. Purity of both thought and action is stressed. Become more generous/humane and closer to God. 17

18 Altered States of Consciousness and Religion! Sacred Pain as a pathway to ASC: Revered, respected pain seen variously as; purifying, an enemy to be overcome, a weapon, a transformative agent, a source of supernatural power. Involves overloading of senses.! As purifying Papua New Guinea (Blood initiation): Catholicism Opus Dei and mortification! Offering up pain for God in repentance of sins.! Can take the form of fasting/sleeping on the ground/remaining silent for certain periods! Pain as transformative Ex: Rites of Passage ceremonies Fulani of West Africa (whipping contest and tattooing! As a sacrifice to God Ex: Ancient Maya (book). Strings through the tongue Hindu New Year in Nepal (Tongue boring) Bali (self-stabbing))! In imitation of a God s/religious figure s suffering Ex: Stigmata: Imitating Christ s wounds on the cross (sometimes seen as appearing spontaneously).! Catholic Crucifixion in the Philippines:! Ex: Pilgrimage to Sabari Malai in South India. Walking in barefeet for 40 miles over rough ground with little food/water/celibacy in order to become closer to the Lord god Ayyappan. Altered States of Consciousness and Religion! Drug-Induced Altered States Adaptive vs. maladaptive in a cultural context.! Adaptive: Usually within a controlled environment, definite end and beginning points. Only at a certain time/place/period. Includes prescription drugs to help rehabilitate/alleviate symptoms (ex. Vicodin, Sudafed?). In a ritual setting, promotes cohesion, elevation/reinforcement of position in religion/culture. Allows individual to thrive and be accepted. Ex: Peruvian cactus drug (San Pedro):! Maladaptive: Usually associated with secular drug use: when taken to extremes, leads to addiction, inability to function in society. No set beginning/end points, non-ritual, no one/thing to say stop. Also can relate to religious drugs taken outside of the ritual setting. Ex: cautions against Peyote/Wine used outside of their roles as sacraments. Ex: Misuse of Ecstasy: 18

19 Altered States of Consciousness and Religion (cont.)! Drug-Induced Altered States Yanomamö of Venezuela.! Ebene (hallucinogenic snuff). Snorted through the nose.! Used to entice hekura or tiny, humanlike spirits into one s chest. Rastafarians! Afro-Caribbean religion, w/ roots in Christianity that venerates the former emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie (Jah Rastafari) as the messiah.! Bob Marley ( ) took reggae (music that came from the Rastafarian movement and Jamaica) to a worldwide scene.! Concept of Ital livity which emphasizes eating natural/vegetarian foods, rejecting Western consumerism and focusing on living in harmony with nature.! Ganga: (Cannabis) The Wisdom Weed or Holy Herb. A religious sacrament taken to become closer to God, gain new understandings of the Universe/the Self. Quick check: How much can you recall so far? Which of the following is NOT a type of religiously induced ASC? a) Fasting b) Speaking in tongues c) Sacred pain d) Drug induced states 19

20 Part 2: Hand s on practice gazing at icons & visual meditation 20