ATTENTION AND DISTRACTED MIND DURING MINDFUL MEDITATION: A REVIEW OF BUDDHIST, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE WITH AN ANIMATED SHORT FILM USED AS TOOL

Author (s) : S.Jamuna & I.Vidhya

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Abstract :
Distraction during mindful meditation is ubiquitous. Attention and attention dysregulation has been a subject of deep introspection in Thervada and later in modern psychology. The modern psychology studied it in terms of task executive and default network hard wired habits. The recent neurophysiological research indicates top-down neural network is driven, goal directed and maintains attention. The bottom-up neural network is driven by external or internal stimuli with affective response attributes to dysregulation of task focused or goal driven attention. This corroborates with the Buddhist conceptualization of heedfulness and hindrances or Nivaranas. The animated film clearly demonstrates the process of attention and distraction in the top down and bottom-up neural network of a meditator. Keywords: Attentional regulation, Task executive neural network, Default Neural network, Emotional hijack.

Keywords : Psychological, Neurophysiological Perspective

Conference Date : 30/08/2019

Pages : 276

Paper ID : 19267