This preliminary review suggests that capacities for presence and attention,
breakthrough and clarity, detachment and metacognition, and emotional resilience and
balance are significant components of interiority that may be valuable for enhancing the
process of learning and living. Further, these dimensions have neurological substrates
that are affected by a wide-range of contemplative practices. While current research is
hardly conclusive, neuro-phenomenological data does appear to demonstrate that
significant changes are indeed occurring in the mind (experience) and the brain as a result
of contemplative practice. The effects on the neurophysiological changes range from
immediate state shifts to long-term trait patterns to changes in brain structure.