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Cited by 120Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsParanormal Experiences and BeliefsIndian and Buddhist Studies

A phenomenology of meditation-induced light experiences: traditional buddhist and neurobiological perspectives

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Lindahl, Jared R., Kaplan, Christopher T., Winget, Evan M., Britton, Willoughby B.·2014·Frontiers in Psychology
DOI 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00973PMC PMC3879457
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Abstract

The scientific study of Buddhist meditation has proceeded without much attention to Buddhist literature that details the range of psychological and physiological changes thought to occur during meditation. This paper presents reports of various meditation-induced light experiences derived from American Buddhist practitioners. The reports of light experiences are classified into two main types: discrete lightforms and patterned or diffuse lights. Similar phenomena are well documented in traditional Buddhist texts but are virtually undocumented in scientific literature on meditation. Within Buddhist traditions, these phenomena are attributed a range of interpretations. However, because it is insufficient and problematic to rely solely upon the textual sources as a means of investigating the cause or significance of these phenomena, these qualitative reports are also considered in relation to scientific research on light-related experiences in the context of sensory deprivation, perceptual isolation, and clinical disorders of the visual system. The typologies derived from these studies also rely upon reports of experiences and closely match typologies derived from the qualitative study of contemporary practitioners and typologies found in Buddhist literary traditions. Taken together, these studies also provide evidence in support of the hypothesis that certain meditative practices - especially those that deliberately decrease social, kinesthetic, and sensory stimulation and emphasize focused attention - have perceptual and cognitive outcomes similar to sensory deprivation. Given that sensory deprivation increases neuroplasticity, meditation may also have an enhanced neuroplastic potential beyond ordinary experience-dependent changes. By providing and contextualizing these reports of meditation-induced light experiences, scientists, clinicians, and meditators gain a more informed view of the range of experiences that can be elicited by contemplative practices.

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126 of 127 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Intensive meditation practice is often carried out in contexts that facilitate unusual experiences through prolonged periods of immobility, isolation or sensory deprivation, and social isolation.

    “Intensive meditation practice is often carried out in contexts that facilitate unusual experiences through prolonged periods of immobility, isolation or sensory deprivation, and social isolation (Lindahl et al., 2014).”

    From “I was trying to save the world”: delusion-like ideation and associated impacts reported by Western practitioners of Buddhist meditation (2025) · cites this paper as Lindahl et al., 2014

    The Discussion section, under “Buddhist meditation as a form of sensory deprivation and perceptual isolation” (page unavailable), says meditation often involves reduced sensory and social stimulation, and describes advanced practitioners undertaking isolating retreats associated with unusual visual experiences. It describes a stable seated posture, but does not establish prolonged periods of immobility as a typical feature of intensive practice. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The sustained focus on a simple, repetitive stimulus (mantra) resembles states of sensory deprivation and perceptual isolation.

    “Similarly, the sustained focus on a simple, repetitive stimulus (mantra) resembles states of sensory deprivation and perceptual isolation [82].”

    From Embodied Cognition in Meditation, Yoga, and Ethics—An Experimental Single-Case Study on the Differential Effects of Four Mind–Body Treatments (2022) · cites this paper as [82]

    The Discussion section, “Buddhist Meditation as a Form of Sensory Deprivation and Perceptual Isolation” (page unavailable), says that attending to monotonous, repetitive stimuli makes meditation similar to sensory deprivation and perceptual isolation. It gives repeated attention to the breath as an example, but does not identify mantra repetition specifically. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Lindahl et al. (2014) provided a preliminary report on qualitative data from the VCE project and a neurobiological model of one category of perceptual changes (visual lights).

    “Lindahl et al. (2014) [126] provided a preliminary report on qualitative data from the VCE project and a neurobiological model of one category of perceptual changes (visual lights).”

    From The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists (2017) · cites this paper as [126]

  • Lack of knowledge about experiences related to traditional meditation practices can result in their misinterpretation as unpredictable events and misdiagnosis as disorders or UEs.

    “On the one hand, the lack of knowledge about experiences related to traditional meditation practices, detaching them from a religious or cultural context, can result in their misinterpretation as unpredictable events and their misdiagnosis as physiological or psychological disorders resulting from the practice or UEs [25].”

    From Unwanted effects: is there a negative side of meditation? A multicentre survey (2017) · cites this paper as [25]

  • UEs can consist of a range of physiological, psychological, psychopathological, and 'spiritual' events.

    “it is possible to say that UEs can consist of a range of physiological, psychological, psychopathological, and “spiritual” events [16, 18, 19, 22, 25].”

    From Unwanted effects: is there a negative side of meditation? A multicentre survey (2017) · cites this paper as [25]

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1 of the 128 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Buddhaghosa B. (1999). The Path of Purification ed. Nanamoli B. trans. Onalaska, WA: BPS Parayatti Editions
  2. Chagme K. Gyatrul R. (1998). A Spacious Path to Freedom: Practical Instructions on the Union of Mahamudra and Atiyoga ed. Wallace B. A. trans. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications
  3. Dondrup G. W. L. (1997). “Handprints of the profound path of the six yogas of Naropa: A source of every realization,” in The Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa trans. Mullin G. H. (Ithaca: Snow Lion Publications) 71– 92
  4. Ledi Sayadaw M. (1999). Manual of Mindfulness of Breathing ed. Sein Nyo Tun U. trans. Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society
  5. Namdak L. T. (2006). Bonpo Dzogchen Teachings ed. Reynolds J. M. trans. Kathmandu: Vajra Publications
  6. Sayadaw M. (1994). The Progress of Insight: A Treatise on Buddhist Satipatthana Meditation ed. Thera N. trans. Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society

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Authors
Lindahl, J. R., Kaplan, C. T., Winget, E. M., & Britton, W. B.
Affiliations
  • Warren Wilson College (US)
  • Brown University (US)
Corresponding author
Britton, Willoughby B.
ORCID
Britton, Willoughby B.
Venue
Frontiers in Psychology
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2014
Volume
4
Pages
973-973
ISSN
1664-1078 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00973
PMC
PMC3879457
OpenAlex
W2051090072
Cited by
120
References
128
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 4
FWCI
7.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Frontiers in Psychology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Brown University
  • Mind and Life Institute
  • Fundação Bial
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Mental Health (T32MH067553)
  • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (T32AT001287, K23AT006328)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Indian and Buddhist Studies
Keywords
meditation, Buddhist meditation, sensory deprivation, perceptual isolation, neuroplasticity, visual perception, contemplative practice, Buddhist texts, diffuse light, focused attention, visual system disorders

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