title: Nondirective meditation activates default mode network and areas associated with memory retrieval and emotional processing.
abstract: Nondirective meditation techniques are practiced with a relaxed focus of attention that permits spontaneously occurring thoughts, images, sensations, memories, and emotions to emerge and pass freely, without any expectation that mind wandering should abate. These techniques are thought to facilitate mental processing of emotional experiences, thereby contributing to wellness and stress management. The present study assessed brain activity by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 14 experienced practitioners of Acem meditation in two experimental conditions. In the first, nondirective meditation was compared to rest. Significantly increased activity was detected in areas associated with attention, mind wandering, retrieval of episodic memories, and emotional processing. In the second condition, participants carried out concentrative practicing of the same meditation technique, actively trying to avoid mind wandering. The contrast nondirective meditation > concentrative practicing was characterized by higher activity in the right medial temporal lobe (parahippocampal gyrus and amygdala). In conclusion, the present results support the notion that nondirective meditation, which permits mind wandering, involves more extensive activation of brain areas associated with episodic memories and emotional processing, than during concentrative practicing or regular rest.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, St. Olavs Hospital Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vik
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Oslo Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Inge R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Groote
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Unit, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lagopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim, Norway ; Centre for Pain and Complex Disorders, St. Olavs Hospital Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Are
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holen
authors.affiliation: Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim, Norway ; Department of Cardiology, St. Olavs Hospital Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Oyvind
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ellingsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, St. Olavs Hospital Trondheim, Norway ; Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Asta K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Håberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Institute of Basic Medical Science, University of Oslo Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Svend
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Davanger
keywords: attention; brain; default mode network; fMRI; meditation; mind wandering; nondirective