A Cognitive Science Approach

  • Focused Attention
    • Directing attention towards an object (e.g. breathing)
    • Detecting mind wandering/distractions
    • Disengagement of attention from distractors
    • Leads to effortless sustained attention and ability to monitor attention and notice mind-wandering
    • Study showing that focussed attention led to extreme increases in perceptual dominance both during and after meditation
  • Open Awareness
    • No explicit focus on objects
    • Nonreactive
    • Leads to acute awareness of phenomenal qualities of experience without ‘grasping’ (approach/avoidance).