--- In [email protected], Vaj <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > To summarize, alpha global increases and alpha coherence mostly over > frontal > electrodes are associated with TM practice when meditating compared > to baseline > (Morse, Martin, Furst, & Dubin, 1977). This global alpha increase is > similar to other > relaxation techniques. The passive absorption during the recitation > of the mantra, as > practiced in this technique, produces a brain pattern that suggests a > decrease of > processing of sensory or motor information and of mental activity in > general. Because > alpha rhythms are ubiquitous and functionally non-specific, the claim > that alpha > oscillations and alpha coherence are desirable or are linked to an > original and higher > state of consciousness seem quite premature. > > -The Cambridge Handbook of Consciousness >
And of course, we don't know how, if at all, the following relates to TM-related synchronous alpha waves, but itis interesting to note that research published AFTER the research cited in the book, but before the book went to press, contradicts what the book claims. Shoddy overall, is my impression: they have an agenda and just ignore any and all research that conflicts with that agenda. This is like the worst aspects of TM research, but due to the prestige of the researchers, no-one is paying any attention to their blatant bias. Int J Psychophysiol. 2003 Jan;47(1):65-74. Paradox lost? Exploring the role of alpha oscillations during externally vs. internally directed attention and the implications for idling and inhibition hypotheses. Cooper NR, Croft RJ, Dominey SJ, Burgess AP, Gruzelier JH. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience and Behaviour, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, St Dunstans Road, London W6 8RP, UK. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Although slow waves of the electroencephalogram (EEG) have been associated with attentional processes, the functional significance of the alpha component in the EEG (8.1-12 Hz) remains uncertain. Conventionally, synchronisation in the alpha frequency range is taken to be a marker of cognitive inactivity, i.e. 'cortical idling'. However, it has been suggested that alpha may index the active inhibition of sensory information during internally directed attentional tasks such as mental imagery. More recently, this idea has been amended to encompass the notion of alpha synchronisation as a means of inhibition of non-task relevant cortical areas irrespective of the direction of attention. Here we test the adequacy of the one idling and two inhibition hypotheses about alpha. In two experiments we investigated the relation between alpha and internally vs. externally directed attention using mental imagery vs. sensory-intake paradigms. Results from both experiments showed a clear relationship between alpha and both attentional factors and increased task demands. At various scalp sites alpha amplitudes were greater during internally directed attention and during increased load, results incompatible with alpha reflecting cortical idling and more in keeping with suggestions of active inhibition necessary for internally driven mental operations.
