The Sides of the brain
There are two distinct sides of the brain. The left side which governs logical thought processes and is used when you need linear thinking such as in mathematics, some forms of music and the sciences. The right side of the brain governs spatial awareness and lateral thought processes and is used for creative and abstract thought, visual expression, intuition and flashes of inspiration.
Crucial Interdependency
There are meeting points at which you use both sides of the brain, such as music that is felt initially with the right side then ordered and written in a musical score using the left side. Interestingly, the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body while the right side of the brain is links to the left side of the body. This means that any damage that is sustained to the left side of the brain might affect the motor skills on the right side of the body. Recently a third side of the brain has been hypothesized, one that is connected with the spiritual self.
Brain Rhythms
The brain operates through four main frequencies, or brain states, and each of these is predominant at particular times and through varying activities. Understanding what creates these rhythms and being aware of which brain rhythm is prominent when you are concentrating, sleeping, relaxing or meditating can empower you to use your mind in a more constructive manner and utilize the states to their full effect. There are specific programs that are designed to stimulate particular frequencies in the brain; these come in the form of rhythmic music or a combination of sound and visual effects that help your brain to slip into and temporarily stay in a particular frequency.
Meditative Theta State
4.5 beats or cycles per second for example, which can be obtained through rhythmic drumming or chanting, puts your brain in a theta state that enables you to meditate deeply. The steady drone of Tibetan chants is a powerful way to accomplish this.
The Meditative state
You experience the theta state in those moments when you are drifting off to sleep, when images rise, apparently from nowhere, because your brain is resting on the border of your subconscious mind. The theta rhythm is used to increase learning capacity, for dream recall and self hypnosis, and, of course, for meditation.
The Central Brain
Along with the left and right side of your brain, with their well-defined yet overlapping functions, it is postulated that a third, more spiritual brain exists.
When you are fully present in the moment fully conscious you are functioning from a middle ground between the two distinct islands of the brain. When you are aware of yourself, this awareness appears to come from a place in the very center of yourself. You perceive thought, vision, insight, understanding and self-awareness from the central point that radiates out to and encompasses all areas of the brain.
The Third Part of the Brain
This has led to a theory that a third brain exists: the central or middle brain that synthesizes spiritual experience and makes you aware of yourself as a spiritual being that has a body, emotions and mind, rather than the previous, reductionist view that you are a body and mind that has spiritual experiences. If there is a physical seat of consciousness, it would exist in this middle area of the brain.
As consciousness can also be viewed as a canvas, with experience being portrayed as the painting that takes shape upon it, it exists within and also without, being influenced and shaped by the events occurring around you that are beyond your control.
Achieving enlightenment the ultimate goal is spiritual enlightenment, of course. With the attainment of a spiritual state of wholeness, liberation, enlightenment, nirvana or whichever word you feel most comfortable with, a balance is achieved within all aspects of the self, including the brain.
There are four distinct brain wave frequencies:
Alpha Brain waves
It occurs through a state of deep relaxation and aids visualization, creativity and self-healing.
Beta Brain Waves
The beta rhythm occurs when you are wide awake, alert and concentrating.
Delta Brain Waves
The subconscious mind resonates to the Delta rhythm, so intuitions and deep memories can emerge through dreaming states.
Theta Brain Waves
In this stage there are heightened preconceptions and receptivity, flashes of inspiration and often emergence of long forgotten memories.
]]>4.5 beats or cycles per second for example, which can be obtained through rhythmic drumming or chanting, puts your brain in a theta state that enables you to meditate deeply. The steady drone of Tibetan chants is a powerful way to accomplish this.
The Four Brain States
Alpha Brain Waves
The alpha rhythm was the first brainwave frequency to be discovered. It occurs through a state of deep relaxation and aids visualization, creativity and self-healing. Healers move into an alpha rhythm when they are engaged in healing others. The alpha waves are gentle, in the range of 7-12 Hz, and promote a state of deep relaxation that is useful as a prelude to meditation.
During the alpha state, your awareness expands, your fears dissolve and you begin to feel comfortable and at peace in a state of relaxation and contentment. The state of happiness. The Shuman resonance, the resonant frequency of the Earth’s magnetic field, flows at the same frequency as alpha rhythms.
Theta Brain Waves
The theta frequency rests below that of the alpha rhythm, at 4-7 Hz. this is the predominant realm during deep relaxation; brain activity is not quite slow enough for sleep. In this stage there are heightened preconceptions and receptivity, flashes of inspiration and often emergence of long forgotten memories. Physical effects include a sensation of floating and expansion.
Beta Brain Waves
The beta rhythm occurs when you are wide awake, alert and concentrating. Your mind is sharply focused, you can make connections between different ideas and thought processes and you are able to train your attention like a laser on the object of your focus.
During beta state, neurons fire rapidly so your mind works very quickly, shifting through ideas and dismissing or pursuing them. Total awareness. When you take an exam or an engaged in intense thinking, your beta rhythm is predominant. It governs analytical cognitive processes and coordination and heightened sensations of being fully awake or aware. If you are confused or under stress, you will have access beta waves in evidence. Beta waves are in the 13 – 40 Hz range.
Delta Brain Waves
The Delta rhythm, at 0-4 Hz, is elongated and slow and is activated during deep sleep. The human growth hormone (HGH), essential for healing and all forms of bodily regeneration, is facilitated by frequencies with the Delta rhythm.
Dreaming Brain Waves
The subconscious mind resonates to the Delta rhythm, so intuitions and deep memories can emerge through dreaming states. This will enable you to tap into the potent healing and creative powers of your unconscious mind and to allow normally trap information to emerge, which can allow a clearing process for the past. This makes dreams analysis an important tool to be used for creativity and improving self awareness.
]]>Meditation is best when you can set some time aside each day to quiet the mind. In today’s society everything is always at hyper speed. Our new way of communicating with internet and smart phones has left little time to just “be”. If you use meditation it gives you the opportunity to slow things down a bit and get in touch with your eternal side of your being.
Initially in meditation, thoughts are slowed down, and eventually, thought stops completely. The height of meditation is a state called Samadhi where the mind is completely merged with worlds of perfect light. Meditation recharges you and helps you get in touch with your inner self. It brings clarity and insight into daily life – you can more easily determine what is really right for you. Meditation makes you happy and bright. It also empowers you to accomplish things in the daily world by connecting you to the power of the universe. Eventually, dedicated meditation practice leads to Enlightenment. The great news is that the benefits of meditation will be experienced right away, beginning with your first meditation session.
Techniques for Meditation
There are many forms of meditation, such as chakra, yantra, and mantra meditation. While the forms of meditation vary, they all use concentration techniques, which help us to stop our thoughts. When the mind is calm, like a lake without any ripples, we experience total peace and empowerment.
Meditation Tips
You may want to set aside a special place in your room that you only use for meditation. Or you can find a place outside that feels good to you. It is important to keep the back straight during meditation, whether you are sitting on the floor or in a chair. Energy flows up the spine, so we try to create a straight pathway for it. Also, it’s a good idea not to eat too much before you meditate, or you will feel heavy and tired.
Many styles of meditation practice exist today. They generally involve focusing on energy centers in the body, concentrating on a picture or image, chanting, or breathing exercises. Regardless of the style, they all share a common goal – to stop thought. When our thoughts stop, we can connect to worlds of light, power, wisdom, and pure consciousness. Try each style and determine which one feels best to you. You may even want to alternate between the techniques from time to time. Whichever approach you choose, you will find that each meditation session brings a little more clarity and power into your life. The most important things are perseverance in your practice and the ability to never judge your meditation. Meditation takes practice, so don’t expect too much too soon. If you find your mind wandering away from your meditation, do not get frustrated. Simply bring your mind gently back to the technique. Trust yourself and believe in the practice.
]]>It is rare that a great decision is made from anger but it is often that a quiet moment gives birth to a creative thought that can influence your life for all time or at least for the near future. When you add up all of your decisions no matter whether they are big or small they all accumulate to be your life.
This one simple activity can literally change the world. Even if you are not a believer in metaphysical things on the whole there is no denying the benefits of meditation. There are many activities that we are prevented from doing because they either cost too much or take up too much time. The act of meditation costs nothing unless you do not participate and it can take as little as 20 minutes per day. There is also no complicated learning curve.
Just look at all of the positive benefits to meditation:
Spiritual Benefits to Meditation
- More meaning and a greater sense of purpose
- Feeling more connected to others
- More open to love and a higher purpose
- Improved intuition
- More of a tendency to not be so tightly wound up and let go and go with the flow
Emotional Benefits to Meditation
Often overlooked are the many benefits of meditation that relate to your emotional wellbeing. People who meditate not only experience a reduction in stress; they also report emotional improvements such as:
- Increased Confidence
- Better reciprocation of love – Giving and Receiving
- No more panic attacks
- More Positive
- A warmer and more open attitude towards others
Psychological Benefits of Meditation
- Increased Intelligence
- Memory Improvement
- Creativity is increased
- The ability to think more clearly
- Lessen and eliminate depression
- Decrease anxiety
- More positive outlook towards life
- Less irritability and mood swings
Physical Benefits of Meditation
- Less muscular tension
- Increased feeling of vitality and rejuvenation
- Immune system is stronger
- Decrease High Blood pressure
- Lower Cholesterol levels
- Reduce the effects of aging
- Better recovery from strenuous exercise
- Improved air flow to the lungs
Meditation does not have to be a spiritual experience but it can lead you to one if you so choose. Meditation works on all levels of consciousness bringing you to a deeper understanding and opening up new dimensions of freedom.
]]>