The Meditation Blog

There are several generally recognized brainwave patterns within the brain which can be measured with EEG technologies. Each of these brainwaves seems to correlate with different experiential realities. Most people sleep through all of the brainwave patterns other than active Beta brainwaves, and thus rarely experience some of the expanded awareness available.

The Beta brainwave state is that involved with thinking, cognitive activity, work, driving and other goal focused activity. It is necessary and useful to technological progress, and general daily functioning.

Alpha brainwaves begin in the eyes-closed state, and become more coherent across the brain hemispheres in meditative practice. The Alpha state typically increases a sense of relaxation, and in the sleep-deprived western world, many will fall into sleep states rapidly.

Theta brainwaves are typically experienced in sleep, but as the meditator extends practice over time, theta level brainwaves can be experienced. When consciously aware during Theta state, the individual may experience ecstatic states, dream like visions, and some even out of body experiences.

Delta brainwaves are expressed in phases 3 and 4 of deep sleep, usually far outside of awareness. When the advanced meditator learns to remain conscious at this brainwave state, the experience is often of a pure empty void.

Part of the descriptions of spiritual progress described across cultures appears to correlate with the act of remaining conscious at slower brainwave frequencies. To a large degree this is what is found when studying long term meditators using concentrative methods, such as mantras.

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 10:54 and is filed under scientific data. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.