European Neurophenomenology, Contemplative and Embodied Cognition Network (ENCECON)

The first ENCECON workshop was a residential 3-day retreat to facilitate an in-depth and integrated exploration into the areas of embodied cognition, contemplative neuroscience, and neurophenomenology. The workshop explored three key topics:

1) The Role of the Brain Resting State in Meditation – What is the functional meaning of brain resting states networks (i.e., default-mode networks) in relationship to mental states (i.e., mind-wandering, mindfulness, cube of thought, etc.), personality traits, and self-related processes What is the relationship between different styles of contemplative practice and these main brain networks?

2) The Role of the Body in Meditation – What is the relationship between meditation, interoceptive body awareness, and the brain? What is the role of bodily posture and physical relaxation in inducing and maintaining mental states (i.e., stillness and ease of the mind, mind-wandering, rumination, etc.)? What are the potential confounding effects of psychophysiological changes (i.e., heart rate, respiration rate, etc.) associated with different experiential states on neuroimaging measures, including BOLD fMRI and electrophysiology?

3) Neurophenomenology – What are the methodological challenges in collecting and analyzing first-person data in conjunction with third-person data? How to refine the terminological framework to capture experiential processes in furthering neurophenomenological and computational approaches to the study of mind and its embodiment? How to develop statistical tools for the analyses of first-person qualitative data and integrate those with classical 3rd person brain or physiological data.

The second ENCECON workshop on the topic “States of Consciousness: Comparing Meditation, Hypnosis, Trance and Psychedelics from a first- and third-person perspective” took place at Schloss Buchenau, near Frankfurt in Germany, in 2019.

The workshop explored the similarities and differences in phenomenology and the neural dynamics of meditation, hypnosis, trance and psychedelics. To facilitate this, the workshop was structured as a residential 3-day retreat. Each speaker presented their work relevant to one of the key themes in a brief presentation, and each day was structured to allow time for theoretical discussions, methodological brain-storming sessions, and first-hand explorations of states of consciousness under the question. This was a refreshing alternative to large conferences and symposia, and facilitated a lively and productive dialogue in an informal and open-minded atmosphere.

After the workshop, a peer-reviewed article, entitled: “A neurophenomenological approach to non-ordinary states of consciousness: hypnosis, meditation, and psychedelics” was published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences.

In 2022, Mind & Life Europe organised the first-ever joint ENCECON-ICP workshop at the Domaine de Fréchet – les PEP 59 in Le Reposoir, France.

The workshop focused on “Embodied experience of intersubjectivity: exploring the boundaries between ‘self’ and ‘other’“. The goal of the workshop was to explore how phenomenology and microphenomenology may be deployed to inform and benefit neuroscientific research. Participants engaged in a co-emergent, collaborative effort to reach greater clarity about the affordances and obstacles to the realisation of a contemplative science of mind and life, exploring intersubjectivity through contemplative practices, microphenomenological interviews and analysis, small-group work, and dialogue and partnership with each other, drawing on insights and perspectives from phenomenology and the cognitive sciences.

The workshop was an example of the work that is necessary to strengthen the gentle bridges of which Francisco Varela spoke during the first Mind and Life Dialogue between scientists, philosophers, and contemplatives. This workshop sought to build on the mutual respect, openness, creativity, and curiosity that has characterised some of our previous MLE gatherings.