Did Meditating Make Did Meditating Make us Human?us Human?

IntroductionIntroduction Anatomically modern human appeared between Anatomically modern human appeared between

200,000 and 150,000 years ago.200,000 and 150,000 years ago. Conscious altering rituals, like healing rituals Conscious altering rituals, like healing rituals

performed by a shaman, was an important and performed by a shaman, was an important and unique aspect of human selective environment.unique aspect of human selective environment.

This environment targeted area of the brain This environment targeted area of the brain involved in the focused attention and working involved in the focused attention and working memory.memory.

Over time this facilitated the genetic mutations Over time this facilitated the genetic mutations fixing both working memory and symbolic fixing both working memory and symbolic functions in the human population.functions in the human population.

PropositionsPropositions

Symbolic evidence in tools, artwork, Symbolic evidence in tools, artwork, and grave goods late in the and grave goods late in the archaeological recordarchaeological record

Fortuitous genetic mutation(s)Fortuitous genetic mutation(s) The Baldwin EffectThe Baldwin Effect Meditation long and short term effectsMeditation long and short term effects Hypnotizablity is a hereditable traitHypnotizablity is a hereditable trait

The Late Emergence of The Late Emergence of SymbolismSymbolism

The Late Emergence of The Late Emergence of SymbolismSymbolism

A debate has been going on to determine when A debate has been going on to determine when symbolism emerged.(2000) Bar-Yosef characterized symbolism emerged.(2000) Bar-Yosef characterized late hominins possessed a low level of symbolic late hominins possessed a low level of symbolic behavior. (2001) Paleolithic image making varies in behavior. (2001) Paleolithic image making varies in “symbolic complexity)“symbolic complexity)

These both acknowledge that symbolism may not These both acknowledge that symbolism may not be as unitary a phenomenon as it is often portrayed.be as unitary a phenomenon as it is often portrayed.

C.S. Peirce categorized referential thinking into C.S. Peirce categorized referential thinking into three categories: iconic, indexical, and symbolicthree categories: iconic, indexical, and symbolic

These levels are built upon the earlier stages, each These levels are built upon the earlier stages, each placing increasing cognitive demands on the placing increasing cognitive demands on the organism.organism.

Iconic Referential ThoughtIconic Referential Thought

Iconic referents are Iconic referents are those that bear a those that bear a physical physical resemblance to resemblance to things they things they symbolize.symbolize.

Indexical Referential Indexical Referential ThoughtThought

Indexical referents Indexical referents represent the represent the presence of what presence of what they signify, based they signify, based on temporal or on temporal or spatial association.spatial association.

Symbolic Referential Symbolic Referential ThoughtThought

Symbolic referents Symbolic referents are noted by their are noted by their relationship relationship between the between the signifier and the signifier and the signified is an signified is an arbitrary one.arbitrary one.

Higher Level SymbolismHigher Level Symbolism It was this late arriving higher level symbolic thought that was It was this late arriving higher level symbolic thought that was

required for enhanced working memoryrequired for enhanced working memory Some argue that the sudden appearance of symbolism in the Some argue that the sudden appearance of symbolism in the

form of art, tools, and grave goods in the European Upper form of art, tools, and grave goods in the European Upper Paleolithic signifies a “revolution” in human thought and behaviorPaleolithic signifies a “revolution” in human thought and behavior

100,000 ybp non symbolic blade production, seasonal mobility, 100,000 ybp non symbolic blade production, seasonal mobility, use of grindstones, and barbed points appeared.use of grindstones, and barbed points appeared.

However 50,000 ybp more symbolic usage is seen as beads are However 50,000 ybp more symbolic usage is seen as beads are being used as ornamentation and mineral pigments are being being used as ornamentation and mineral pigments are being used for ritual purposes.used for ritual purposes. May represent a lower level of symbolic thoughtMay represent a lower level of symbolic thought This provides a foundation for the constructed symbols in This provides a foundation for the constructed symbols in

modern society.( red pigment = blood)modern society.( red pigment = blood) It is the move from practical to ceremonial that we see the It is the move from practical to ceremonial that we see the

aspects of Peircian symbolism.aspects of Peircian symbolism.

Fortuitous MutationFortuitous Mutation

Klein & Edgar (2002): ultimate mechanism Klein & Edgar (2002): ultimate mechanism must come down to a fortuitous genetic must come down to a fortuitous genetic mutation that reorganized brain stricture mutation that reorganized brain stricture and function. (granting early homo sapiens and function. (granting early homo sapiens a cognitive advantage)a cognitive advantage)

Coolidge & Wynn (2001) attributed the Coolidge & Wynn (2001) attributed the mutations target to be on the mutations target to be on the enhancement of working memory capacityenhancement of working memory capacity It was essential for cognitive innovation, It was essential for cognitive innovation,

experimentation, and ultimately symbolism.experimentation, and ultimately symbolism.

Mutations on Working Mutations on Working MemoryMemory

Williams (2002), Ancestors could voluntarily recall Williams (2002), Ancestors could voluntarily recall and manipulate the experiences of altered states of and manipulate the experiences of altered states of consciousness and dreams and use these as a basis consciousness and dreams and use these as a basis for art and religion.for art and religion.

Donald (2002), Ancestors held movement templates Donald (2002), Ancestors held movement templates in mind as a basis for directing, executing, and in mind as a basis for directing, executing, and refining motor sequence.refining motor sequence. This provided a foundation for the mimetic skills of This provided a foundation for the mimetic skills of

pantomime, imitation, and role play.pantomime, imitation, and role play. Shepard (1997), Ancestors held mental simulations Shepard (1997), Ancestors held mental simulations

of actions in mind and evaluated and selected from of actions in mind and evaluated and selected from potential plans.potential plans.

Fortuitous Mutation Cont.Fortuitous Mutation Cont.

Our ancestors had an enhanced capacity to Our ancestors had an enhanced capacity to recall, consciously retain, and manipulate recall, consciously retain, and manipulate information.information. This is the key for going from indexical or iconic This is the key for going from indexical or iconic

referents to purely arbitrary based symbols.referents to purely arbitrary based symbols. Coolidge & Wynn state that the genetic Coolidge & Wynn state that the genetic

changes could have occurred as early as 200-changes could have occurred as early as 200-150,000 ybp when anatomically modern 150,000 ybp when anatomically modern humans emerged or as late as 70,000.humans emerged or as late as 70,000.

According to the author, the change became According to the author, the change became widespread around 50,000ybp.widespread around 50,000ybp.

The Baldwin EffectThe Baldwin Effect

Was proposed in 1896 Was proposed in 1896 by James Mark by James Mark Baldwin, C.L. Morgan, Baldwin, C.L. Morgan, and H.F. Osborn.and H.F. Osborn.

Acquired traits could Acquired traits could create or importantly create or importantly contribute to contribute to selective conditions selective conditions that would, in time, that would, in time, genetically establish genetically establish them in the them in the populationpopulation

The Baldwin Effect - StudiesThe Baldwin Effect - Studies

Waddington (1975): created a no-cross vein Waddington (1975): created a no-cross vein fruit fly by inducing heat shock in early fruit fly by inducing heat shock in early generations. (the environment facilitated the generations. (the environment facilitated the trait)trait)

Bjorklund & Rosenberg (2005): showed more Bjorklund & Rosenberg (2005): showed more sophisticated cognitive skills in captive or sophisticated cognitive skills in captive or human-razed chimpanzees in areas such as tool human-razed chimpanzees in areas such as tool use, imitative learning, and language.use, imitative learning, and language. These skills may have begun as novel acquired These skills may have begun as novel acquired

traits induced by atypical environmental demands.traits induced by atypical environmental demands.

Mechanisms Accounting for Mechanisms Accounting for the Baldwin Effect.the Baldwin Effect.

Others have found that environmental stress Others have found that environmental stress may actually affect the rate and character of may actually affect the rate and character of the mutationsthe mutations Jollos (1934) and Plough & Ives (1935) found that Jollos (1934) and Plough & Ives (1935) found that

mutation rates increased in heat-treated fruit fly mutation rates increased in heat-treated fruit fly larvae and those mutations were specific to loci. larvae and those mutations were specific to loci.

Kirschner & Gerhart (2005) proposed “facilitated Kirschner & Gerhart (2005) proposed “facilitated variation” where direct evolutionary change is variation” where direct evolutionary change is facilitated by the organism itself. (developmental facilitated by the organism itself. (developmental constraints bias which mutations are passed on)constraints bias which mutations are passed on)

Baldwin Effect Cont.Baldwin Effect Cont.

Any mutation that resets the range of Any mutation that resets the range of a physiological system to a more a physiological system to a more adaptive level would be positively adaptive level would be positively selected by environmental conditions. selected by environmental conditions. (high altitude & blood cell production)(high altitude & blood cell production)

The brain is suggested to be one of The brain is suggested to be one of these systems prone to adapt under these systems prone to adapt under changing environmental conditions.changing environmental conditions.

Meditation and the BrainMeditation and the Brain

Recent studies have Recent studies have shown that areas in shown that areas in the frontal lobe the frontal lobe associated with associated with working memory and working memory and attention, especially attention, especially the DLPFC and the the DLPFC and the anterior cingulate anterior cingulate are activated during are activated during meditation.meditation.

Meditation StudiesMeditation Studies Lazar (2000) showed significant metabolic Lazar (2000) showed significant metabolic

increases in activity in many brain structures.increases in activity in many brain structures. Newberg (2001) found increased activity in many of Newberg (2001) found increased activity in many of

the same regions (DLPFC, orbital PFC, anterior the same regions (DLPFC, orbital PFC, anterior cingulate, and the sensormotor cortices of 8 cingulate, and the sensormotor cortices of 8 subjectssubjects

Lutz (2004) found experienced meditators Lutz (2004) found experienced meditators generated high gamma waves synchrony over the generated high gamma waves synchrony over the frontoparietal regions.frontoparietal regions. Some showed the highest reports in literature in a non-Some showed the highest reports in literature in a non-

pathological context.pathological context. Meditation also affected long-term base line activity.Meditation also affected long-term base line activity.

Meditation StudiesMeditation Studies Davidson (2003) found increases in naïve Davidson (2003) found increases in naïve

subjects assigned to an 8 week meditation subjects assigned to an 8 week meditation training program in left frontal lobe activity.training program in left frontal lobe activity.

Lazar (2005) found significantly thicker regions of Lazar (2005) found significantly thicker regions of the PFC, including the right superior frontal sulci the PFC, including the right superior frontal sulci and right anterior cingulate.and right anterior cingulate. These areas are associated with attention and sensory These areas are associated with attention and sensory

processing.processing. Older subjects showed more change and showed that Older subjects showed more change and showed that

meditation may work to reverse age related thinning of meditation may work to reverse age related thinning of the PFCthe PFC

Carter (2005) Monks could exert conscious Carter (2005) Monks could exert conscious control over binocular rivalry.control over binocular rivalry.

Meditation SummaryMeditation Summary Provides long-term changes involved in attention Provides long-term changes involved in attention

and working memoryand working memory This competitive change could have given homo This competitive change could have given homo

sapiens an edge over other hominins and led to sapiens an edge over other hominins and led to symbolism.symbolism.

Campfire rituals (tasks involving focused attention and Campfire rituals (tasks involving focused attention and working memory, unlike tool-making and hunting could working memory, unlike tool-making and hunting could have involved children, leading to a possibility for have involved children, leading to a possibility for adaptive brain modification.)adaptive brain modification.)

Environmentally induced changes in brain function Environmentally induced changes in brain function could have, overtime, become as genetically could have, overtime, become as genetically hereditable as a result of the selective pressure of the hereditable as a result of the selective pressure of the rituals themselves.rituals themselves.

Shamanistic Healing RitualsShamanistic Healing Rituals

The shaman: The shaman: anyone using anyone using consciousness-consciousness-altering rituals as a altering rituals as a means of means of connecting with the connecting with the spiritual world for spiritual world for the purpose of the purpose of individual or individual or community healing.community healing.

Shamanistic RitualShamanistic Ritual

Evidence shows it is humanities Evidence shows it is humanities oldest religion. oldest religion.

Finds from Fumane cave in Italy showed Finds from Fumane cave in Italy showed this image from 35,000 ybp depicting this image from 35,000 ybp depicting images of a human with antlered images of a human with antlered headgear typical of a shamanheadgear typical of a shaman

These findings could show shamanism pre-These findings could show shamanism pre-dates the Upper Paleolithic since it depicts dates the Upper Paleolithic since it depicts an already present system.an already present system.

Physical and Psychological Physical and Psychological Effects of RitualsEffects of Rituals

The shamans healing rituals served as an The shamans healing rituals served as an important adaptive function in our ancestral past.important adaptive function in our ancestral past.

The Kulari !Kung use healing dances as a central The Kulari !Kung use healing dances as a central role in life, health, and vitality of both individuals role in life, health, and vitality of both individuals and the tribe. and the tribe.

McClenon (1997, 2002) showed that our ancestors McClenon (1997, 2002) showed that our ancestors were most susceptible to the benefits of were most susceptible to the benefits of shamanistic healing had a selective advantage shamanistic healing had a selective advantage over othersover others They were better able to overcoming illness or They were better able to overcoming illness or

injuryinjury Overcoming debilitating emotional statesOvercoming debilitating emotional states And enduring childbirthAnd enduring childbirth

Effects of RitualsEffects of Rituals

Ritual healing is universal across Ritual healing is universal across traditional societies.traditional societies.

It involves hypnosis and altered states of It involves hypnosis and altered states of consciousness.consciousness. Hypnosis is measurable, variable, and has a Hypnosis is measurable, variable, and has a

hereditable component.hereditable component. Often effective for a wide variety of Often effective for a wide variety of

maladies where psychological factors are maladies where psychological factors are presentpresent Chronic pain, burns, bleeding, headaches, skin Chronic pain, burns, bleeding, headaches, skin

disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and discomforts and complications in childbirthdiscomforts and complications in childbirth

Rituals ContinuedRituals Continued

It is very effective as no linguistic skills or It is very effective as no linguistic skills or ideologies are needed for the rituals to workideologies are needed for the rituals to work It is the nature of the ritual not the belief in the It is the nature of the ritual not the belief in the

supernatural that is important.supernatural that is important. Only minimal verbal expression is requiredOnly minimal verbal expression is required What is required is the belief in a healing spiritual What is required is the belief in a healing spiritual

power accessible through a conscious altering power accessible through a conscious altering ritual.ritual.

They require focused attention, activating brain They require focused attention, activating brain areas associated with attention and working areas associated with attention and working memory.memory.

Rituals ContinuedRituals Continued

In summary, those whose brains that In summary, those whose brains that were most “ritually capable’ would were most “ritually capable’ would gain the greatest fitness.gain the greatest fitness.

Enhanced working memory was a Enhanced working memory was a byproduct of brain changes resulting byproduct of brain changes resulting from ritually induced health benefits.from ritually induced health benefits.

What Made Humans What Made Humans DifferentDifferent

It is these rituals, acting as an environmental It is these rituals, acting as an environmental effect on working memory development that effect on working memory development that may have facilitated a change.may have facilitated a change.

100,000 ybp homo sapiens100,000 ybp homo sapiens and Neanderthals and Neanderthals shared a space in the Levant. Due to some shared a space in the Levant. Due to some event homo sapiens left.event homo sapiens left.

60,000 years late homo sapiens returned 60,000 years late homo sapiens returned moving into Europe and eventually spreading moving into Europe and eventually spreading across the world for good this time. across the world for good this time. Neither climate change or the Neanderthals could Neither climate change or the Neanderthals could

stop them.stop them.

What Made Us DifferentWhat Made Us Different

Both H. sapiens and Neanderthals made tools (and Both H. sapiens and Neanderthals made tools (and Neanderthal tool construction required a degree of Neanderthal tool construction required a degree of expertise akin to blacksmithing)expertise akin to blacksmithing)

Both collected pigments, built fires, and hunted.Both collected pigments, built fires, and hunted.(Neanderthals were also highly skilled as well)(Neanderthals were also highly skilled as well)

If any of these activities created selection pressures for If any of these activities created selection pressures for expanded working memory, Neanderthals would have expanded working memory, Neanderthals would have evolved as well.evolved as well. Some artifacts have even shown beads, pendants, tools, Some artifacts have even shown beads, pendants, tools,

and other items appearing to have symbolic functionand other items appearing to have symbolic function Maybe do to their harsh lifestyle, symbolic functioning Maybe do to their harsh lifestyle, symbolic functioning

and representation was not a regular function of their and representation was not a regular function of their society.society.

Why Neanderthals Didn’t Why Neanderthals Didn’t MeditateMeditate

Had neither the time nor the energy as they lived very harsh Had neither the time nor the energy as they lived very harsh liveslives Habitations show less spatial structureHabitations show less spatial structure Shows they invested little time in home bases and the Shows they invested little time in home bases and the

activities associated with them.activities associated with them. Nutritional stress may have affected them as evidence of Nutritional stress may have affected them as evidence of

cannibalism was found by Defleur et. al.cannibalism was found by Defleur et. al. Berger and Trinkaus (1995) documented extensive head, Berger and Trinkaus (1995) documented extensive head,

neck, and upper body trauma in Neanderthal skeletonsneck, and upper body trauma in Neanderthal skeletons May show that degenerative bone disease was May show that degenerative bone disease was

commonplacecommonplace Tellingly and Trinkaus (1995) failed to uncover a single Tellingly and Trinkaus (1995) failed to uncover a single

instance of a healed immobilizing lower leg injuryinstance of a healed immobilizing lower leg injury Those not able to keep up were left behindThose not able to keep up were left behind

SummarySummary Somewhere between the Levant and the Upper Somewhere between the Levant and the Upper

Paleolithic something happened: symbolism Paleolithic something happened: symbolism emerged.emerged.

This change through a Baldwinian process, enabled This change through a Baldwinian process, enabled an environmentally induced trait to become an environmentally induced trait to become genetically hereditable over time.genetically hereditable over time.

It is thorough developed shamanistic healing and It is thorough developed shamanistic healing and campfire rituals we see how these genes for campfire rituals we see how these genes for attention and expanded working memory thrived.attention and expanded working memory thrived.

And through these forms of meditation, homo And through these forms of meditation, homo sapiens emerged as a superior hominin, excelling sapiens emerged as a superior hominin, excelling where other species could not.where other species could not.