Meditation, psychedelics and the self
- A neurophenomenological approach
AbstractThis lecture will present several scientific projects focused on studying subtle selfless states with meditators in the MEG using a unique neurophenomenological setup. These studies investigated selfless states via the dissolution of the sense-of-boundaries, shedding new light on the multi-dimensionality and flexibility of embodied selfhood. Additionally, we used a neural visual mismatch-response paradigm testing for ‘death denial’ in meditators and ayahuasca veterans in a neurophenomenological setup, and showed contrasting effects on the brain’s defensiveness towards mortality. These findings provide empirical support for the hypothesis that the neural mechanisms underlying the human tendency to avoid death are amenable to mental training, and highlight the differences between meditation and psychedelics as a “spiritual path”.
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Speaker
Aviva Berkovich-Ohana is an associate Professor of neuroscience, University of Haifa, Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center, and Departments of Counseling and Human Development. Research interests include the neurophenomenological processes underlying the sense of self, in different contemplative traditions, including meditation, psychedelics, channeling and lucid dreaming.