Meditation-Like States of Attention and Time Perception: Longer Productions in Deeper and More Embodied States

Given the growing societal interest in how our environment influences time perception, in a world that is more volatile and going at a faster pace than ever, there is an increased need for the understanding of how attentional states and awareness impact time perception. In the current study we aimed at assessing the role of both internally and externally directed attention on temporal production. We devised an experimental paradigm aimed at replicating attentional states and awareness comparable to those occurring during meditation. Based on the Sphere Model of Consciousness and the hierarchy of meditation types, we hypothesize a gradual slowing down of time production, from simply observing a stimulus, to a focused awareness similar to Focused-Attention meditation and, finally, to an embodied state similar to Open-Monitoring meditation. To test this hypothesis, participants underwent three experimental conditions during time production and were divided into two groups. In line with our hypothesis, we found progressively longer produced durations in these experimental conditions, and this was further emphasized in the group of participants asked to listen to their own breath compared to those listening to external sounds. These highlight the importance of different types of attentional states and levels of awareness when addressing time perception. In particular, bodily awareness seems to be of key importance in ‘slowing down’ our subjective perception of time, which may be useful in an increasingly fast-paced world.