Marion takes 20 minutes daily to sit by herself and meditate. A fully meditative state is a form of

• A. waking consciousness.
• B. altered state.
• C. non-REM sleep.
• D. convergent thinking.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of 'altered state of consciousness': This refers to any mental state that is significantly different from a normal waking state, such as meditation, hypnosis, or drug-induced states.
2. Recognize that meditation is a practice that can lead to an altered state of consciousness, where the mind is more focused and relaxed, often leading to changes in perception and awareness.
3. Differentiate between 'altered state' and 'non-REM sleep': Non-REM sleep is a natural state of rest that involves different brain activity patterns compared to waking consciousness, but it is not typically associated with meditation.
4. Consider 'convergent thinking': This is a cognitive process used to find a single, correct solution to a problem, which is not directly related to meditation or altered states of consciousness.
5. Conclude that the practice of meditation, as described in the problem, is most closely associated with an 'altered state of consciousness' due to its ability to change perception and awareness during the practice.