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This study aimed to present a hierarchical recurrent neural network-based agent model grounded in the free energy principle to explore these processes within the framework of allostasis. The model integrates interoceptive, proprioceptive, and exteroceptive predictive processing, which minimizes the variational free energy throughout past and future contexts. Simulations of the resting state showed that inferred (mentally simulated) homeostatic context modulated attentional shifts between a \u2018being\u2019 mode (focused on present interoceptive perception) and a \u2018doing\u2019 mode (involving mentally simulated proprioceptive and exteroceptive sensorimotor behaviors). Further, we identified a meta-attentional parameter that controls these shifts by influencing cognitive attitudes toward internally generated beliefs across network modules spanning from the past to the future. By manipulating this parameter, we replicated mindfulness states (\u2018deep-being\u2019 mode) in which attention remained focused on the present interoceptive state, despite minimal sensory prediction errors. This study offers insights into the computational dynamics of mindfulness and mind-wandering, laying the groundwork for the future exploration of consciousness and pure awareness, which is a state of consciousness devoid of content.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1093\/nc\/niag046","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,24]],"date-time":"2026-07-24T11:44:28Z","timestamp":1784893468000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Awareness of being: a computational neurophenomenological model of mindfulness, mind-wandering, and meta-attentional control"],"prefix":"10.1093","volume":"2026","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3368-2901","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hayato","family":"Idei","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Information Medicine, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry , 4-1-1 Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8502 ,","place":["Japan"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Keisuke","family":"Suzuki","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Human Nature, Artificial Intelligence, and Neuroscience (CHAIN), Hokkaido University , Kita 12 Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0812 ,","place":["Japan"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yuichi","family":"Yamashita","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Information Medicine, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry , 4-1-1 Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8502 ,","place":["Japan"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"286","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"2026090512054763600_ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2025","DOI":"10.1162\/neco_a_01228","article-title":"A novel predictive-coding-inspired variational RNN model for online prediction and recognition","volume":"31","author":"Ahmadi","year":"2019","journal-title":"Neural Comput"},{"key":"2026090512054763600_ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"867","DOI":"10.1007\/s11097-021-09743-0","article-title":"Awareness in the void: a micro-phenomenological exploration of conscious dreamless sleep","volume":"22","author":"Alcaraz-S\u00e1nchez","year":"2023","journal-title":"Phenomenol Cogn Sci"},{"key":"2026090512054763600_ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"38","DOI":"10.1037\/drm0000271","article-title":"Exploration of contentless awareness during sleep: an online survey","volume":"35","author":"Alcaraz-S\u00e1nchez","year":"2025","journal-title":"Dreaming"},{"key":"2026090512054763600_ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2022.901031","article-title":"Nothingness is all there is: an exploration of objectless awareness during sleep","volume":"13","author":"Alcaraz-S\u00e1nchez","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"key":"2026090512054763600_ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1010490","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pcbi.1010490","article-title":"In the Body\u2019s eye: the computational anatomy of interoceptive inference","volume":"18","author":"Allen","year":"2022","journal-title":"PLoS Comput Biol"},{"key":"2026090512054763600_ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"421","DOI":"10.1016\/S0022-5193(05)80120-1","article-title":"Effects of exercise and chills on entropy production in human body","volume":"145","author":"Aoki","year":"1990","journal-title":"J Theor Biol"},{"key":"2026090512054763600_ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"117","DOI":"10.1186\/s12906-024-04413-5","article-title":"Mind and body connection in expert meditators: a computational study based on central and peripheral nervous system","volume":"24","author":"Borghesi","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Complementary Med Ther"},{"key":"2026090512054763600_ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"20254","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.1112029108","article-title":"Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity","volume":"108","author":"Brewer","year":"2011","journal-title":"Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A"},{"key":"2026090512054763600_ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2022.792599","article-title":"Exploring the past, present, and future of the mindfulness field: a multitechnique bibliometric review","volume":"13","author":"Bunjak","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"key":"2026090512054763600_ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1239","DOI":"10.1017\/S0033291709991747","article-title":"A systematic review of neurobiological and clinical features of mindfulness meditations","volume":"40","author":"Chiesa","year":"2010","journal-title":"Psychol Med"},{"key":"2026090512054763600_ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1038\/nrn2555","article-title":"How do you feel\u2013now? 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