Washington: In a pioneering study, the researchers in the US have claimed to have quantified distinct brain wave patterns in people who experience "transcendence" or higher consciousness, a vital step towards scientific understanding of spiritual state of mind.

Based on standard neuro-physiological techniques, the scientists studied the brain activity of people experiencing higher consciousness in their daily lives and of those who don't have such experience, showing that the brain wave activity (EEG) of the former was significantly different and better from the latter's.

"This is the first time, to my knowledge, that people who have integrated the experience of transcendence into their daily lives have had their brain wave patterns studied as they engage in mental tasks," said Frederick Travis, study's lead author and researcher at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa.

Based on the measured neuro-physiological markers, the researchers developed an "Integration Scale", a set of criteria that characterises the transformation in brain activity corresponding to increasing integration of transcendent experiences with daily activity.

"These results are important because they validate via Western science the experiences of higher consciousness - deep inner peace, bliss, unbounded awareness, and oneness with the universe, which have been esteemed throughout the ages," Travis said.

PTI