坐禅と静功の人体科学的計測 : 脳波解析の結果から

抄録

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.