TL;DR: Advanced meditators entering nirodha samāpatti—cessation of all mental activity—are now being tracked with ultra-high-field brain imaging. Results show the brain entering a globally reorganized, low-energy but highly polarized state, unlike sleep or anesthesia. From a Frequency Wave Theory (FWT) perspective, this is the first empirical glimpse of consciousness “switching off” and rebooting, validating Buddhist claims and opening the door to measurable enlightenment.
The Ancient Claim Meets Modern Science
For thousands of years, Theravāda Buddhism has described nirodha samāpatti as the pinnacle of meditation: a deliberate shutdown of all perception, thought, and sense of self. Practitioners reported this as the gateway to nirvana, the end of suffering. Until now, these were taken largely on faith or subjective report.
This new study changes that. Using 7-Tesla fMRI, researchers followed advanced meditators as they entered what they called Extended Cessation (EC). Participants described total silence of mind—no thoughts, no sensations, no self-awareness. Consciousness went offline by choice.
This is interesting. The Frequency Wave Theory needs more explanation. I am pretty sure the state achieved in this experiment is a samadhi state and not nirvana. Nonetheless, this is an interesting finding. If anyone has more information on this, please post in the comments. ABN
One thought on “Science Finally Captures Nirvana: FWT Explains Cessation States”
Yeah, I don’t think so. Certain stimuli may be completely ignored, but not turned off. One can certainly shoo off self, but not all one’s senses. If they think they’ve found it with fancy FMRI, I think they are mistaking complete peace of mind with complete disconnection from sensory inputs.
This meditation is supposed to be constant, or capable of staying constant, with varying levels of practice. Sitting is only really meant to help get the hang of it. One needs to move it into one’s daily chores. It’s even apparent that many people do it while they are driving, without even realizing it.
It is, at least at first, extremely pleasurable, blissful. Gravity is much less onerous. All tasks are much less onerous. Depending on the situation, something will inevitably break that marvelous state of transcendence, and maybe Theravada promises this as the pinnacle of practice, the goal, but it’s really just the thing that turns Theravada into Mahayana.
I don’t think putting oneself into a coma is enlightenment. Maybe restful as heck, but not enlightenment, and if you’ve managed to turn off all your senses, WHAT’S going to keep you safe from being eaten by a lion, mowed down by a Mack truck, attacked by rampaging maniacs, et cetera? Nothing.
American Buddhist Net 
Yeah, I don’t think so. Certain stimuli may be completely ignored, but not turned off. One can certainly shoo off self, but not all one’s senses. If they think they’ve found it with fancy FMRI, I think they are mistaking complete peace of mind with complete disconnection from sensory inputs.
This meditation is supposed to be constant, or capable of staying constant, with varying levels of practice. Sitting is only really meant to help get the hang of it. One needs to move it into one’s daily chores. It’s even apparent that many people do it while they are driving, without even realizing it.
It is, at least at first, extremely pleasurable, blissful. Gravity is much less onerous. All tasks are much less onerous. Depending on the situation, something will inevitably break that marvelous state of transcendence, and maybe Theravada promises this as the pinnacle of practice, the goal, but it’s really just the thing that turns Theravada into Mahayana.
I don’t think putting oneself into a coma is enlightenment. Maybe restful as heck, but not enlightenment, and if you’ve managed to turn off all your senses, WHAT’S going to keep you safe from being eaten by a lion, mowed down by a Mack truck, attacked by rampaging maniacs, et cetera? Nothing.
Total pain in ass to make this comment nowadays.