The purpose of this project is to develop and test software that will help facilitate and augment the neurological and physiological benefits of meditation. To accomplish this, the team will:
- Identify key factors which can be used to identify a meditative state, and quantify the physiological and neurological identifiers and benefits of such a state
- Identify the numerous barriers/stages meditators must navigate in order to enter into a meditative state
- Design software which helps facilitate an easier and faster transition into a meditative state, measured through the factors identified above
- Determine whether software system was effective in facilitating an easier or faster transition into a meditative state, and/or whether such a transition has enhanced the physiological and neurological outcomes for the user
- Assemble and publish the results
Lit Review Google Docs: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sCXBwETHhX8t_NCxsE6T9fu3ygefoEPrD7EHivQCDdY/edit?usp=sharing
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Conduct literature review, identify previous research on the neuroscience and physiology of meditation. Identify measurable physiological and neurological indicators of a meditative state, measurable indicators of the benefits of meditation, and any transitional stages leading from a 'normal'/resting state into a meditative state. (in progress)
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Assemble a list of factors which 'define' a meditative state; select a handful which will be measured throughout the course of this study.
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Identify hurdles in reaching a meditative state, and design a system to help bypass these barriers.
4a) Design study methodology
4b) Build codebase
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Recruit study group
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Conduct study
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Write paper
A state defined by greater relaxation, drop in stress, heightened concentration/focus and situational awareness, a "happy feeling", and less diverse brain activity (concentration of alpha and omega wave behaviour). Increased focus on the self -- breath-counting, greater 'self-consciousness', and a sense of 'being in the moment'. A state of augmented awareness, a 'settled mind'. Post-meditative benefits in terms of greater focus and performance on concentration tasks.