The 'new' theory of consciousness is old news to meditation and mindfulness practitioners without the validation of any science, going back thousands of years with many references in the New and Old Testament and many other world belief systems.

From an article in The Atlantic 9/19

What a New Theory of Attention Says About Consciousness

Filtering out distractions might be more important for the brain than highlighting important information.

We can pick out a conversation in a loud room, amid the rise and fall of other voices or the hum of an air conditioner. We can spot a set of keys in a sea of clutter, and register a raccoon darting into the path of our onrushing car.

Somehow, even with massive amounts of information flooding our senses, we’re able to focus on what’s important and act on it. Attentional processes are the brain’s way of shining a searchlight on relevant stimuli and filtering out the rest.

Neuroscientists want to determine the circuits that aim and power that searchlight. Now, researchers are trying a different approach, studying how the brain suppresses information rather than how it augments it.

Perhaps more important, they’ve found that this process involves more ancient regions much deeper in the brain—regions not often considered when it comes to attention. By doing so, scientists have also inadvertently started to take baby steps toward a better understanding of how body and mind—through automatic sensory experiences, physical movements, and higher-level consciousness—are deeply and inextricably intertwined.

"meditation is the practice of

turning one's attention to

a single point of reference"

Meditation is a term referring to any of a family of practices in which the practitioner trains the mind or self-induces a mode of consciousness in order to realize a multitude of measurable benefits.

The Latin word meditari, means to concentrate. In Biblical terms it refers to "communion" with God. In Eastern terms meditation refers to the state of the mind when you are in yoga (in union), and actually means yoga (union).

Generally, meditation is the practice of turning one's attention to a single point of reference. The time tested FHU method involves consciously pivoting away from distracting thoughts and focusing on the present moment by focusing on the either or both hands that acts like as an anchor in the "now" or present moment.

The relaxation response [from meditation] helps decrease metabolism, lowers blood pressure, and improves heart rate, breathing, and brain waves. Many use the practice of mindfulness meditation to sleep better. One natural side effect of meditation is reduction of stress (Stress reduction is one of the most common reasons people try meditation.) 

Here are Seven More Proven Results of Meditation:

1. Controls Anxiety
2. Promotes Emotional Health
3. Enhances Self-Awareness
4. Lengthens Attention Span
5. May Reduce Age-Related Memory Loss
6. Can Generate Kindness
7. May Help Fight Addictions

Heres a link to the entire article in The Atlantic