Enlightenment, a Distinct Cognitive State: Executive Awareness Cognition Theory (ExACT)

Enlightenment, which can be described as the end goal of long-term meditation practices, is a mental state where the boundaries of the apparent Self dissolve, experienced as a nondual awareness. The neural correlates of meditation reveal patterns such as deactivation of the Default Mode Network, activation of the Central Executive Network, and structural brain reorganization.In this context, we introduce the Executive Awareness Cognition Theory (ExACT) of Enlightenment. The central tenet of this theory is a network dynamics' flip in the brain's resting state networks’ functioning, specifically between the CEN and the DMN, which is distinguished by the CEN taking the role of the default network. The described neurological change is accompanied by nondual awareness taking the position of the default mode of perception and the subjective experience of Self is perceived as virtual. This theory is expected to be a reference point for future research in Meditation/Mindfulness and establish Enlightenment as a distinct cognitive state with specific neural and phenomenological markers.