Lerner M
Acta Psiquiatr Psicol Am Lat. 1975 Mar;21(1):56-63.
Traditional oriental thinking attracts the growing scientific interest of occidental practitioners. Dr. Pierre Etévenon, head of the Department of Neuro-Psycho-Pharmacology at the French Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), held several conversations and scientific exchanges with the author, and kindly provided copies of some of his works. They are at the basis of the present paper. M. A. Descamps (Paris) found that asanas--yoga postures-- are generators of dynamic action when there is an extension of the spinal column, whilst they lead to quiet states when there is a flexion of it. Claeys and Gones (Belgium) proved that overall global relaxation, as well as differential relaxation were far more effective and deep when obtained by yogis than those attempted by University students majoring in Physical Education. Lonsdorfer and Nussbaum (France) studied several parameters concerning hatha-yoga and concluded that it provides a regular functioning of the main bodily functions fostering thus a psycho-physical balance. Wallace and Benson (U.S.A.) proved that transcendental meditation increases aerobic metabolism, counteracting anaerobic metabolism which is related to mental distress. Etévenon (Paris) investigated neurophysiological effects of yoga in connection to ancient Indian concepts (Upanishads) on sleeping, meditation and degree of consciousness. Dr. Etévenon has studied the phylogenetic evolution of waking-sleeping cycles, focusing on phylogenetic and ontongenetic appearances of REM cycles (activated sleep). A correlation has been made with EEG studies during states of concentration (yoga, transcendental meditation, Zen). These states have been found to be specific brain activities, and different from deep sleep, in spite of certain similarities in the EEG. Several hypothesis are set forth to explain brain activities underlying sites of concentration. The possibilities of developing a conscious mastering of dreams are also under research, and special attention is paid to the works of Saint Denys (1867), and hindu tradition. This paper discusses also the psychological, therapeutic and anthropological implications of recent discoveries in the field.
传统的东方思维吸引了越来越多西方从业者的科学兴趣。法国健康与医学研究所（INSERM）神经精神药理学系主任皮埃尔·埃特维农博士与作者进行了多次交谈和科学交流，并亲切地提供了他的一些著作的副本。它们是本文的基础。M. A. 德康普斯（巴黎）发现，当脊柱伸展时，体式——瑜伽姿势——是动态动作的产生者，而当脊柱弯曲时，它们会导致安静状态。克莱伊斯和戈内斯（比利时）证明，瑜伽修行者获得的整体全身放松以及局部放松比体育专业大学生尝试的放松更为有效和深入。朗斯多费尔和努斯鲍姆（法国）研究了与哈他瑜伽相关的几个参数，并得出结论，它能使身体主要功能正常运作，从而促进身心平衡。华莱士和本森（美国）证明，超觉静坐能增加有氧代谢，对抗与精神困扰相关的无氧代谢。埃特维农（巴黎）结合古印度关于睡眠、冥想和意识程度的概念（奥义书）研究了瑜伽的神经生理效应。埃特维农博士研究了觉醒 - 睡眠周期的系统发育进化，重点关注快速眼动睡眠周期（激活睡眠）的系统发育和个体发育表现。已经将其与专注状态（瑜伽、超觉静坐、禅宗）期间的脑电图研究进行了关联。尽管脑电图有某些相似之处，但这些状态已被发现是特定的大脑活动，与深度睡眠不同。提出了几个假设来解释专注状态下的大脑活动。对有意识地掌控梦境的可能性也在进行研究，并且特别关注圣丹尼斯（1867 年）的著作以及印度传统。本文还讨论了该领域近期发现的心理、治疗和人类学意义。
