BLiSSSS Meditation: Advances in Conceptualization and Possible Working Mechanisms

Abstract: Mind wandering is a common challenge during meditation practice and may limit the sustenance of attentional focus. Mantra-based meditation is traditionally used to anchor attention; however, approaches that balance sensory engagement—avoiding both sensory overload and sensory deprivation—by actively engaging multiple sensory modalities during meditation remain underexplored. BLiSSSS Meditation (Play the mantra, and Breathe, Listen, See, Say, and Sense Synchronously) is proposed as a multisensory form of Mantra Meditation designed to help an individual sustain present-moment awareness. The framework integrates synchronized engagement of vision (seeing), audition (hearing), respiration (breathing), articulation (saying), and sensation (sensing or mindful awareness), together with sustained attention, aiming to reduce attentional drift during meditation. Features of a mobile phone application, such as Dolby On, may be utilized to support guided mantra playback and sensory synchronization during BLiSSSS Meditation. An artificial intelligence (AI)–based exploratory evaluation was conducted to assess the feasibility and applicability of BLiSSSS Meditation, along with its plausible effects on mind wandering and mental stress, and the anticipated user experience and safety considerations. This approach was employed to generate a structured conceptual rationale to inform and support progression toward subsequent human-based validation studies of BLiSSSS Meditation. Conclusions: BLiSSSS Meditation was conceptualized to potentially avoid both sensory overload and sensory deprivation through synchronous engagement of an individual’s five senses with mantra chanting, thereby sustaining present-moment awareness throughout meditation. An artificial intelligence (AI)-based evaluation supported the feasibility and acceptability of BLiSSSS Meditation, suggested plausible reductions in mind wandering and mental stress, and indicated a favorable user experience, warranting progression to human-based studies. The functional elements of BLiSSSS Meditation were hypothetically adapted into a meditation-based game, Play BLiSSSS, to help individuals cultivate present-moment awareness through playful involvement.