Towards a Meditation Brain State Model Using Electroencephalographic Data

Meditation has clear effects in bringing practitioners' mind into a tranquil state and promoting both the mental and the physical health. The effect of meditation is measurable. We propose to establish a model for meditation state by applying modern experimental sciences to brain wave data. We start with a project that aims to create an application that takes electroencephalographic (EEG) data and exposes it to various analytical techniques so the resultant brain states can be studied and predicted. We present explanations of the design and implementation offered herein. Furthermore, a summary of the application's functionality is elucidated. Upon completion, we anticipate that this software can be used to produce important and dependable conclusions about a given subject's brain states and correlate that to an identified physical or psychological activity. Although our project is still in an early stage towards a model for meditation, through these studies, we believe we will be able to make meditation a beneficial practice to promote human's life in modern society. Chan (Zen), originated as a methodology of spiritual meditation, has played an important role in the history of Eastern countries. In recent centuries, with the fusion of various cultures in modern society, Chan has drawn attention of various ethnic groups for its focus on practice and direct effect on human's lifestyles and health conditions. Chan itself has shown its religion neutral nature in the modern society. Chan is clearly a philosophy that impacts human's view about the essence of science and relates scientific study to the contemplation of its performer --- human. In recent years, term "life science" has been used to denote studies related to the understanding of human's nature and seeking ways to harmonize human's life with the environments. Chan (or Ch'an ) was named "Dhy āna" in Sanskrit, the ancient holly language of India. The Wikipedia definition of Chan is: Chan is a school of Mah āyāna Buddhism, Chan is itself derived from the Sanskrit Dhy āna, which means "meditation" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen ). Since Chan's goal is the attainment of awakening and enlightenment, it deemphasizes any rational creeds or theoretical reasoning. As the meaning of Dhyana indicates, meditation is an essential part of Chan practice. As a matter of fact, meditation is the primary way to achieve Chan state, although meditation itself is not the goal of Chan. Chan requires that the practitioners watch their thoughts at every moment, which means that meditation should be carried on alone the entire day. As Bodhidharma said in his famous "On Breaking Forms", "The Dharma way of watching minds embraces all Dharma ways." (Bodhidharma, Tang Dynasty) Meditation with no objects, anchors, or content, is the primary form of the Bodhidharma Chan. The meditator strives to be aware of the stream of thoughts, allowing them to arise and pass away without interference. Therefore, sitting meditation is not the essence of Chan. However, sitting meditation is still the most important part of Chan practice before one acquires the prajna (enlightening wisdom), since it is the most effective way to regulate one's mind. The Wikipedia definition of sitting meditation is: "core aspect of Zen practice, during which practitioners usually assume a position such as the lotus position." (as shown in Figure 1) Various methods were used to regulate the mind. For example, awareness can be directed towards counting or watching the breath; awareness can be put in the energy center below the navel; awareness can be fixed at a picture such as the image of a Buddha or a scene; awareness can also be directed to muttering a Buddha's name, either in voice or silently; etc.