Self-awareness and Meditation: The Value of Silence

Self-Awareness and Meditation: The Value of Silence

Self-awareness, that is, the way the brain represents itself, has recently become the focus of new neuroscientific research. In this field, the Sphere Model of Consciousness, developed by Patrizio Paoletti, is a neuro-phenomenological model that describes three types of Self, each correlated with specific brain waves. Meditation and silence modulate these waves, bringing numerous benefits to our psychophysical health.

Brain waves in the Sphere Model of Consciousness

As we saw together in the previous article of the Brain Treasures series, the mechanisms underlying self-representation are complex and elusive. We can observe how different brain areas activate when our brain reflects on itself, through MRI studies. The Sphere Model of Consciousness, developed by Patrizio Paoletti to model the concept of Self at the neurological level, proposes three types of Self. The Minimal Self focuses on existing in the “here and now.” The Narrative SelfNarrative Self The concept of the Narrative Self is situated... More creates an image of ourselves based on past experiences and future perspectives. The Overcoming of Self consists of deep and diffuse attention to everything around us, where the sense of an individual self seems to disappear. Interactions between these levels constitute our state of self-awareness at any given time.

Studies from RINED, the Research Institute in Neuroscience, Education, and Didactics of the Patrizio Paoletti Foundation, have found correlations between these types of Self and specific brain waves. These electrical oscillations are produced by groups of neurons in the central nervous system. They can be observed via electroencephalogram (EEG) and distinguished by shape and frequency. Typically, six types of brain waves exist:

• Alpha waves (frequency 8-13 Hz), associated with an awake but resting brain;
• Beta waves (frequency 14-30 Hz), which increase when our brain is mentally engaged in a specific task;
• Gamma waves (frequency above 30 Hz), emerging when the brain is fully active, during learningIl termine apprendimento - con i sinonimi imparare, assimila... More, concentrationWhat concentration really is and why it’s so hard to maint... More, and memoryMemory is a fundamental cognitive function that consists in ... More;
• Theta waves (frequency 4-7 Hz), typical of sleep, when the brain is not conscious;
• Delta waves (frequency below 3.5 Hz), characterizing deep, restful sleep.

In general, higher brain activity corresponds to higher wave frequencies. Different wave types can coexist simultaneously. However, the dominance of one type over another depends on the state of our brain. According to RINED research, each level of Self has a particular reference wave that is more prominent. The Minimal Self is highly correlated with Alpha and Theta brain waves, associated with meditation, reduced sensory stimulation, and inward-focused attention. The Narrative Self is associated with an increase in Gamma and Beta waves: the brain is cognitively engaged in consciously and coherently constructing our self-image. Finally, the Overcoming of Self correlates with Delta waves, generated by a state of deep relaxation. It reflects a “non-conscious” self-awareness, without specific content.

Benefits of Delta Waves

Delta waves are crucial during sleep because they allow the brain to minimize conscious activity. Some research has shown correlations between Delta waves and numerous health benefits, particularly stressWhat is stress? From a clinical perspective, stress is a phy... More and inflammation reduction. They increase the production of antioxidant hormones, such as melatoninMelatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the pineal glan... More and dehydroepiandrosterone, and cytokines, proteins of the immune system. Essentially, the central nervous system “shuts down” as much as possible to focus on self-repair. Delta waves are not only associated with sleep but are also present during deep meditation. Some meditation practices allow the brain to reach a sleep-like state even while awake. During these practices, an increase in Delta waves has been recorded.

The Role of Silence

How can we reach this elusive sleep-wake, content-free consciousness state? RINED research appears to have identified a key factor: silence. Sensory deprivation is often used in meditation to achieve greater awareness. In the context of the Sphere Model, silence should not be seen as a deprivation of sensory stimuli. Rather, it is a “saturation” of our sensory organs with respect to a “non-stimulus.” One must immerse oneself in silence to focus all possible attention on internal stimuli, including those leading to self-awareness. RINED research has shown an association between silence and the emergence of Delta waves during meditation.

A crucial aspect is that this silence must be intentional, actively sought by the meditator. Unexpected silence, in fact, increases stress rather than relaxing. Isolating people in silence against their will has even been used as a torture method in history. Silence, in short, can be positive or negative, depending on context and our intention. Actively seeking it is no trivial task in an age of sensory bombardment like ours. Yet, silence aids meditation, including practices that help us learn more about our Self.