The Influence Of Dynamic And Static Samatha Meditation Training On Attention

Samatha is an essential part of meditation.The aim of samatha is developing stable and concentrated attention.In recent years,the effect of samatha training on attention has been empirically supported.According to the system of Buddhism samatha meditation,it can be seen that the techniques of samatha are abundant and each has its own characteristics.But few empirical studies have explored the differences in the effects of samatha techniques with different characteristics on attention.Therefore,this study attempts to combine the classification of traditional Buddhism meditation techniques with empirical research,and uses empirical method to discuss the influence of dynamic and static samatha training on attention,as well as the differences in the effects of technical training on attention.The empirical study consists of two parts:(1)Experiment 1 explores the influence of samatha meditation with different focus objects on attention.In experiment 1,the samatha meditation techniques of external objects and body objects are used for training.External objects and body objects are dynamic and static.Therefore,experiment 1 examines whether the dynamic and static meditation training of external objects and the dynamic and static meditation training of body objects lead to differences in the state of attention during meditation.The attention concentration is measured by the attention cancellation test;EEG technology is used to measure the brain's state of attention during meditation;Interview is conducted to understand technology preference,training experience and life impact.Based on the results of experiment 1,the dynamic and static techniques of external objects are selected as the research object of experiment 2.(2)Experiment 2 investigates the effect of dynamic and static meditation training on the attention function,as well as the effect on the attention state of the brain during samatha meditation.In the experiment,Mindful Attention Awareness Scale(MAAS)and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule(PANAS)is used to measure the level of attention awareness and emotion.Self-reports are used to record the level of fatigue,emotional and mental status before training and the level of concentration and mind-wandering after training;Continuous Performance Tests(CPT)is used to measure attention;EEG technology is used to measure the state of attention during samatha meditation.Results of Experiment 1:(1)Static samatha meditation training can improve attention concentration,while dynamic Static samatha meditation training can weaken attention concentration.(2)After samatha meditation training,no matter which kind of samatha meditation technique is used,theta band decreases in meditation state.In the physical object group,parietal alpha increases in dynamic samatha meditation state compared with static samatha meditation state;in the external object group,certral theta increases in static samatha meditation compared with dynamic samatha meditation state;in the external object group,occipital beta increases in both dynamic and the static meditation state compared with relaxed state.Compared with the physical object group,the external object group decreases the parietal alpha and occipital alpha,increases occipital beta.Results of Experiment 2:(1)Both of the two kinds of samatha meditation training can improve the level of mindfulness attention awareness and the degree of attention concentration.Additionally,both of the two kinds of samatha meditation training can increase positive emotion and reduce negative emotion.The dynamic samatha meditation training is better on the reduction of negative emotion.(2)In Continuous Performance Tests(CPT),samatha meditation training did not have a significant effect on the performance of behavioral operation,but there are differences in EEG components.In Cz,the amplitude of P3 component significantly decreased after samatha meditation training,and the P3 amplitude in dynamic samatha meditation training significantly decreased;The amplitude of N2 component significantly increased after samatha meditation training.Moreover,the latency period of N2 components showed in static samatha meditation group rather than dynamic samatha meditation group.(3)After samatha meditation training,beta band in the frontal lobe and theta band in the central region all decreased.In addition,beta band in the occipital lobe region were higher in static samatha meditation group than in dynamic samatha meditation group.Conclusion:(1)Both dynamic and static meditation training can improve the attention function.Static meditation training is more effective than dynamic meditation training in attention concentration.Both dynamic and static meditation training are effective in attention control and attention allocation,and dynamic meditation training has a better effect on attention allocation.(2)The attentional states of both dynamic and static meditation showed a decrease in frontal theta band,middle theta band and frontal beta band.(3)Both dynamic meditation training and static meditation training can improve the level of mindfulness awareness and attention concentration,increase positive emotions and reduce negative emotions,as well as dynamic meditation training has a better effect on the reduction of negative emotions.