Investigación 

Recently, there has been growing scientific interest in studying states of selflessness, where there is no sense of self as the immediate subject of experience. Preliminary findings suggest that this state is associated with increased positive emotions and a sense of connection with the world and all living beings. Given its potential benefits, various practices have been developed to induce or cultivate selflessness, including meditation and psychedelic drugs. However, there is a pressing need to explore alternative cost-effective and non-pharmacological approaches to overcome the limitations of these methods. In this regard, Virtual Reality (VR) presents a promising method capable of creating experiences that may be risky, costly, or otherwise unfeasible in the real world. The present study aims to examine whether a multi-person numadelic VR experience could induce a state of selflessness and to investigate its impact on affect, mystical experiences, and peak experiences. A total of 56 volunteers participated in a VR session and completed several self-report questionnaires before, immediately after, and one week following the experience. Preliminary findings suggest that a single multi-person VR experience can engender selflessness and enhance interpersonal connectedness. Additionally, it increases low-arousal positive affect and warmth, and generates mystical and peak experiences in a notable subset of participants. The experience is also widely accepted, with participants reporting few adverse effects. By providing a new research method for accessing selflessness, this study paves the way for further exploration in this field and contributes to a deeper understanding of this complex psychological experience.

Objectives

Compassion is a valuable, trainable skill which can bring significant benefits to oneself and others. One method for developing compassion towards others is Tonglen, a Tibetan Buddhist meditation which involves taking in suffering from others and sending them well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychophysiological outcomes of Tonglen meditation in healthcare workers, a population who have frequent contact with the suffering of others.

Method

Sixty participants were randomly assigned to listen to a 15-min audio of either guided Tonglen meditation, or a story in the control condition, and completed assessments before and after.

Results

The results showed that, compared to the control condition, Tonglen significantly increased heart rate variability, compassion state, and affective responses to suffering.

Conclusions

This is the first study to show the acute effectiveness of Tonglen in healthcare workers. Results suggest a potential general applicability of this active compassion meditation to populations experiencing empathic distress and burnout.

Objectives

Compassion can be cultivated through meditation; one such practice is Tonglen, a visualization technique rooted in Tibetan Buddhism. Few studies have focused on Tonglen, indicating its complexity. Phenomenological approaches capture the richness and depth of lived experiences, being ideally suited for investigating such intricate practices. Notably, no phenomenological studies have explored the nuances of Tonglen, presenting a significant literature gap which this study aims to address.

Method

Eleven long-term meditators (10–35 years of practice including Tonglen) were interviewed. Micro-phenomenological methods were applied to describe the procedure and detailed experience of Tonglen.

Results

Four temporal phases within the meditation practice were identified, with two constituting the actual Tonglen meditation. During the Generation phase, participants engaged in vivid visualizations and a deep sense of connection with another’s suffering. Participants described corporeal and mental sensations, including chest pressure and a strong, urgent desire to relieve suffering. In the Taking and Giving phase, meditators experienced complex visualizations of dark smoke symbolizing suffering, intentionally absorbing and transforming them into light. This process involved a shift in attentional focus and a sense of agency in alleviating suffering. Tonglen was shown to involve intricate temporal dynamics, with complex embodied visualizations synchronizing with each breath. Some participants experienced non-dual compassion states, characterized by effortless flow, open awareness, and boundlessness.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that in some practitioners, Tonglen can lead to a unique non-dual state. The findings showed the importance of incorporating phenomenological analysis in complex meditations for further scientific inquiry into different practices and their experiential qualities.