Sleep during transcendental meditation

Science. 1976 Jan 23;191(4224):308-10. doi: 10.1126/science.1108200.

Abstract

Five experienced practitioners of transcendental meditation spent appreciable parts of meditation sesions in sleep stages 2, 3, and 4. Time spent in each sleep stage varied both between sessions for a given subject and between subjects. In addition, we compare electroencephalogram records made during meditation with those made during naps taken at the same time of day. The range of states observed during meditation does not support the view that meditation produces a single, unique state of consciousness.

MeSH terms

  • Consciousness*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Humans
  • Relaxation Therapy
  • Sleep Stages / physiology*
  • Time Factors