Unraveling the Mysteries of Mind-Wandering and Meditation: A Comprehensive Investigation using Deep Learning

Mind-wandering and meditation are two intriguing cognitive states that have captivated researchers across various disciplines for their profound implications on human consciousness and mental well-being. Mind-wandering refers to the involuntary drifting of thoughts away from the present task, while meditation aims to cultivate focused attention and mindfulness. Traditional research methodologies have provided valuable insights into these phenomena, but their subjective nature and limited scalability call for innovative approaches. This paper presents a pioneering investigation that leverages the power of deep learning, specifically Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), to explore the differences in mind-wandering patterns between novices and meditators. This study is guided by the compilation of a comprehensive dataset incorporating cognitive and neural measures related to mind-wandering and meditation, providing a novel perspective on the impact of meditation on mind-wandering.