Neurological explanation for vibrations perceived through meditation?

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Jim Smith, modified 2 Years ago at 12/26/21 4:59 PM
Created 2 Years ago at 12/26/21 4:52 PM

Neurological explanation for vibrations perceived through meditation?

Posts: 1639 Join Date: 1/17/15 Recent Posts
I am wondering if there is anything published proposing a neurological explanation for the vibrations in sensory perceptions perceived through meditation.

https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/QjoTFHzvrxQg9A6j3/meditation-insight-and-rationality-part-2-of-3
A major focus of this method is to develop an acquaintance with what are called 'vibrations.' A meditator practicing in this style will eventually find that their experience is not static, but 'vibrates' or fluxes in a peculiar way over extremely short periods of time (fractions of a second).
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A science-inspired view is that this style of meditation develops one's attention to the point that one can directly observe an artifact of the way that attention is implemented and interacts with sense data and cognitive content in the brain.
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To recap, there are four basic modes of perception which are of interest in the context of meditation. These modes of perception can manifest in distinct and profound ways during intense meditation, but also can and will manifest during everyday life in subtle and unremarkable ways. Each has typical characteristics related to the width of one's attention, the frequencies of vibrations which present themselves, and the cognitive / emotional content which tends to appear.
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Stage two.​​​​​​​
If you've done the basic method in stage one successfully, you will eventually get here.Typical qualities of mode two perception: slightly wider attentional width, vibrations are obvious and often perceived effortlessly, potential for extreme shifts in mood and energy towards the positive end of the spectrum; potential for surprising or detailed spontaneous visualizations or mental imagery, potential for highly physical / sexual / pleasurable sensations, potential for all kinds of egocentric biases (in the everyday sense) concerning one's capabilities, moral worth, etc., potential for 'missionary behavior' concerning meditation because it seems like meditation is so fun, pleasant, effortless, etc. and everyone else would enjoy it if they would only do it, potential for generic [hypo]manic behavior (such as high sex drive, low need for sleep, etc.)

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Stage three.​​​​​​​
If you ever get to stage two, it should be easy to get here, because the characteristic mode of perception in stage two is enjoyable and makes you want to keep observing your experience. My advice is only likely to make it happen faster. In stage three, the characteristic mode of perception tends to be unpleasant, so it is possible to get "stuck" because you may be inclined not to observe your experience. 
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Stage four.
The contrast between stage three and stage four should be rather big. One typical manifestation of the very beginning of stage four is boredom or a feeling of blandness. So don't expect to immediately feel relieved when you get here, or to think "this feels so much better than what was happening before!" Recognize stage four by the fact that you've stopped feeling terrible, and your attention is both wider and clearer than before.


Thanks in advance ...
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Dream Walker, modified 2 Years ago at 12/27/21 11:58 PM
Created 2 Years ago at 12/27/21 11:58 PM

RE: Neurological explanation for vibrations perceived through meditation?

Posts: 1657 Join Date: 1/18/12 Recent Posts
There are three speeds of mind, speed of thought, attentional system and awareness.
A&P/second jhana makes the senses "vibe". It's because you're in the attention speed.

Look into the book
Pointing Out the Great Way
By Daniel P. Brown~D

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