Electrophysiological brain reconfiguration during meditation-induced extended cessation of consciousness: an EEG microstate study

Abstract

Extended cessation (EC) is a rare, non-ordinary meditative endpoint characterized by a temporary absence of reportable phenomenal experience, followed by an extraordinary perceptual vividness, openness, equanimity and affective balance. As such, EC provides a unique, non-pharmacological model for investigating the neural basis of the suspension and restoration of consciousness. Here, we examined whole-brain electrophysiological activity during EC using dense-sampling electroencephalographic microstate analysis in five highly trained meditators. Temporal parameters and transition probabilities of canonical microstates during EC were compared with two control conditions (counting and memory tasks) across six frequency bands (broadband, delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma). EC was associated with a large-scale reconfiguration of brain dynamics, characterized by reduced patterns linked to self-related processing (microstate B) and increased temporal prominence of configurations associated with integrative brain activity (microstate C). Transition dynamics indicated a redistribution of information flow, with sensory-related activity (microstate A) preferentially routed toward integrative processes rather than toward self-related processing. Frequency-specific modulation further supported this reorganization, suggesting a decoupling of self-related dynamics alongside changes in local sensory-sensorimotor processing. Together, these findings identify a distinct neural signature of EC at scalp level and support the view that conscious experience can be transiently suspended through a coordinated reconfiguration of large-scale brain dynamics rather than a breakdown of integrative function. More broadly, this work provides a framework for understanding how advanced meditation can flexibly reshape the organization of brain activity, with implications for theories of consciousness as well as mental health, well-being, and flourishing.