Wales, UK — In August 2024, the team from
All Here, a pioneering meditation-focused research startup, participated in a unique retreat grounded in the Yogavacara tradition, a Buddhist Theravada school known for its emphasis on Samatha (calm-abiding) meditation practices. Under the guidance of esteemed teachers Nai Booman and Paul Dennison, the retreat provided participants with a profound experience of inner tranquility, supported by modern neuroscience tools. (
https://samatha.org/)
Throughout the retreat, All Here integrated EEG technology to monitor brainwave activity of 16 advance and expert meditators during deep meditative states. Participants engaged in Samatha practices designed to cultivate concentration and mental calmness. The retreat offered a powerful blend of traditional meditation techniques with cutting-edge scientific tools.
“We were deeply inspired by the combination of tradition and technology,” shared by Dr. Chuong Ngo, lead meditation researcher from All Here. “Working with such accomplished teachers as Nai Booman and Paul Dennison helped us explore the potential of Samatha practices in ways that not only deepen personal practice but also expand our understanding of the brain during meditation.”
Merging Tradition and Technology
The Yogavacara tradition, with its strong focus on Samatha, provided the perfect context for integrating ancient meditation techniques with EEG technology. Real-time brainwave monitoring allowed the team to gather valuable data on mental states during deep concentration. This data will help All Here advance its research into how meditation impacts mental well-being, focus, and emotional regulation.
Advancing Meditation Research
As the EEG data is analyzed, All Here anticipates uncovering new insights into how meditation influences neural activity. These findings will contribute to the growing body of research connecting traditional meditation practices with modern scientific understanding.
“We look forward to sharing the findings with the wider community, hoping to make meditation practices more accessible and scientifically grounded,” the researcher added.
Looking to the Future
Through this retreat and future endeavors, All Here remains dedicated to exploring the potential of meditation for enhancing mental well-being. By bringing together the ancient wisdom of the Buddhist Theravada tradition and cutting-edge EEG technology, the organization is uncovering new ways to deepen personal practice and improve mental well-being.
