Field model of consciousness: EEG coherence changes as indicators of field effects

Int J Neurosci. 1989 Dec;49(3-4):203-11. doi: 10.3109/00207458909084826.

Abstract

Changes in EEG coherence patterns were used to test a field model that posits a common field of "pure consciousness" linking all individuals. In ten trials, EEG was concurrently measured from pairs of subjects, one practicing Transcendental Meditation (TM) and the TM-Sidhi technique of "Yogic Flying" (YFg)--said to enliven the proposed field of consciousness--and the other performing a computer task. Box-Jenkins ARIMA transfer function analysis indicated that coherence changes in the YF's 5.7-8.5 Hz band, the band sensitive to TM and YFg, consistently led coherence changes in the other subject's 4.7-42.7 Hz band. A clear relationship was seen among subjective reports, coherence patterns, and strength of intervention effects. These data support a field model of consciousness. Alternate explanations are explored.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Consciousness / physiology*
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Relaxation Therapy*