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The locus coeruleus (LC) has established functions in both attention and respiration. Good attentional performance requires optimal levels of tonic LC activity, and must be matched to task consistently. LC neurons are chemosensitive, causing respiratory phrenic nerve firing to increase frequency with higher CO2 levels, and as CO2 level varies with the phase of respiration, tonic LC activity should exhibit fluctuations at respiratory frequency. Top-down modulation of tonic LC activity from brain areas involved in attentional regulation, intended to optimize LC firing to suit task requirements, may have respiratory consequences as well, as increases in LC activity influence phrenic nerve firing. We hypothesize that, due to the physiological and functional overlaps of attentional and respiratory functions of the LC, this small neuromodulatory nucleus is ideally situated to act as a mechanism of synchronization between respiratory and attentional systems, giving rise to a low-amplitude oscillation that enables attentional flexibility, but may also contribute to unintended destabilization of attention. Meditative and pranayama practices result in attentional, emotional, and physiological enhancements that may be partially due to the LC's pivotal role as the nexus in this coupled system. We present original findings of synchronization between respiration and LC activity (via fMRI and pupil dilation) and provide evidence of a relationship between respiratory phase modulation and attentional performance. We also present a mathematical dynamical systems model of respiratory-LC-attentional coupling, review candidate neurophysiological mechanisms of changes in coupling dynamics, and discuss implications for attentional theory, meditation, and pranayama, and possible therapeutic applications.
Abstract This article describes individual and collective experiences of engaging and connecting with nature using a mindful perception approach, the MAPIN Strategy. It represents a qualitative review of the worksheets completed by participants during a number of MAPIN nature connection sessions. This article presents the range of cognitive, affective, and spiritual responses for constituent activities that constitute a MAPIN session, some of the insights and reflections by participants, and participant's reflections about their experiences of connection. The essence of the overall collective experience of connection was described as an immersive, relational, and loving one of being bonded and nurtured by nature, or some aspect of a natural area, characterized by a variety of positive cognitive, affective, and spiritual states of mind that led to increased awareness, perspective, and an expanded sense of self and being-in-the-world. The article ends with a suggestion of why the MAPIN Strategy may be an effective tool for evoking and/or heightening experiences of connection with nature.
While many of the issues associated with the global environmental crisis are facilitated and worsened by globalized economic, financial, and social systems, at a more fundamental level they arise out of the dominant Western consciousness that lacks empathic connection and identification with nonhuman nature. Research suggests that an individual's sense of connectedness with nature significantly influences environmental concern and behavior. Ecological consciousness is a form of consciousness that is characterized by a psycho-spiritual connectedness with nature; however, a structured approach to its development has not been clearly articulated from a lived-experience perspective. This article explores the heightened state of ecological consciousness from a phenomenological, self-study perspective. A structured mindfulness-based perception exercise was developed to deepen nature connectedness and to evoke heightened ecological consciousness within a variety of natural settings. Thematic analysis of exercise worksheets found that heightened states consisted of psycho-spiritual experiences of connectedness facilitating spiritual meaning, ecological awareness, and therapeutic outcomes. Experiences of heightened states were characterized by 16 thematic categories and a spectrum of consciousness states. The evocation of heightened ecological consciousness has implications for not just the practices of environmental educators and psychotherapists, but also for individuals seeking greater connectedness and a nature-based way of coping with a variety of negative psychological states.
While many of the issues associated with the global environmental crisis are facilitated and worsened by globalized economic, financial, and social systems, at a more fundamental level they arise out of the dominant Western consciousness that lacks empathic connection and identification with nonhuman nature. Research suggests that an individual's sense of connectedness with nature significantly influences environmental concern and behavior. Ecological consciousness is a form of consciousness that is characterized by a psycho-spiritual connectedness with nature; however, a structured approach to its development has not been clearly articulated from a lived-experience perspective. This article explores the heightened state of ecological consciousness from a phenomenological, self-study perspective. A structured mindfulness-based perception exercise was developed to deepen nature connectedness and to evoke heightened ecological consciousness within a variety of natural settings. Thematic analysis of exercise worksheets found that heightened states consisted of psycho-spiritual experiences of connectedness facilitating spiritual meaning, ecological awareness, and therapeutic outcomes. Experiences of heightened states were characterized by 16 thematic categories and a spectrum of consciousness states. The evocation of heightened ecological consciousness has implications for not just the practices of environmental educators and psychotherapists, but also for individuals seeking greater connectedness and a nature-based way of coping with a variety of negative psychological states.
Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Exercise is considered an acceptable method for improving and maintaining physical and emotional health. Although yoga is historically a spiritual discipline, a growing body of evidence supports the belief that yoga benefits physical and mental health. The objective of this study was to evaluate heart rate variability which reflects autonomic control of heart among yoga practitioners, athletes and individuals with sedentary lifestyle. The study was carried out in the departments of physiology at MAMC Agroha, Hisar and Pt. BD Sharma PGIMS Rohtak, Haryana. The study group comprised of 1200 healthy male volunteers of 16 to 55 years of age. The study group was divided into four age groups: Group A of age 16 to 25 years; Group B of age 26 to 35 years; Group C of age 36 to 45 years and Group D of age 46 to 55 years. All age groups were further divided into three categories i.e athlete (runner), yoga (yoga practitioners) and sedentary in which individuals with sedentary life style were included. The basal recording of ECG in lead II was done for 5 minutes. The Polyrite-D ECG data was used for analysis of heart rate variability by frequency domain method. Two spectral components were recorded namely high frequency (HF) component (0.15-0.4 Hz), an indicator of vagal efferent activity and low frequency (LF) component (0.04-.15 Hz), replicator of composite sympatho-vagal interplay. HF component in normalized unit was found significantly high in age group B and C in yoga practitioners and athletes as compared to sedentary individuals and in age group D significantly high in yoga practitioners as compared to athletes and sedentary individuals. Significantly decreased LF/HF ratio was found in age group B and C in yoga and athlete subjects as compared to sedentary individuals and in age group D in yoga practitioners as compared to athletes and sedentary individuals. This indicates that parasympathetic activity is substantially greater in yoga practitioners.