Mediation mechanism
Nobody knows for certain how mediation techniques work exactly. Nevertheless, a fairly profound understanding of this issue has been accomplished by exploring the common link inherent in all mediation forms – the object on which attention should be focused. Intended for concentration, this stimulus is apparently a fundamental characteristic of the meditative process.
The role of the object used for concentration apparently involves letting the intuitive, non-egocentric type of thinking (associated with neocortical activity in the right hemisphere) to occupy a dominant place in the consciousness – the place usually occupied by the analytical ago-centric type of thinking (associated with the activity of the left hemisphere). The object for concentration apparently ensures the possibility for this shift by monopolizing nervous activity of the left hemisphere, which enables the right hemisphere to become dominant. The object for concentration can monopolize left hemisphere activity by involving it in any monotonous activity (e.g. focus on mantra, respiration or specific poses). Moreover, the object for concentration can send the left hemisphere into a state of overload or frustration. This happens in cases when the meditating person is pondering an outwardly paradoxical problem or when the person is engaged in intense physical activity as practiced by sophists (“dancing Dervishes”), followers of tantrism, or possibly American jogging enthusiasts.
When the object for concentration is used effectively, the nature of information processing is changed by the brain. “When the rational (analytical) brain goes silent, the intuitive path leads to exceptional cognition”. This cognition is the objective of all meditative methods practiced by their proponents.
This condition of “exceptional cognition” has been called differently. In the Orient it is called “nirvana” or “satori”. When loosely translated, these words mean “enlightenment”. They can also be translated as “genuine consciousness” or “cognition of Being” In the olden days, those few people in the West who were familiar with this condition used to call it “super-consciousness” or “cosmic consciousness:”