Differences Between the EEG of Zen Priests and Internal Qigong Masters

Abstract

Electroencephalograms (EEGs) of Japanese Zen priests and Chinese Qigong masters were measured and the differences studied. During almost all types of Qigong training, the frequency of the α waves became faster (+0.5〜1.0Hz). During deep Zen meditation, however, it became very slower (-1.0〜-1.5Hz), and sometimes θ waves were also found. As we have previously reported, the α waves of Qigong masters spread to their frontal area while they are practicing Qigong. These frontal α waves synchronized remarkably well with the occipital α waves. This means the phase difference between the occipital and the frontal α waves became shorter. We used an indicator τ_m to represent this phase difference. During deep Zen meditation, this τ_m became longer, although many α waves appeared on the frontal area. It has been found in other experiments that concentrating on some tasks, such as calculations, made the τ_m shorter. Internal Qigong may be considered to be a meditation in which the meditator concentrates to internal "Qi" or some consciousness. On the other hand, Zen meditation may release the meditator's self from all external concerns.