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David Paradise Light Sound Machines

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Mind Alive, Inc., makes the David Paradise L/S machines, some of which also include cranio-electro stimulation as an option. CES may magnify the results of the light/sound entrainment patterns. The website provides links to data regarding the use of these devices for enhancing performance, and improvement of various symptoms. http://www.mindalive.com/index.htm The device itself is small, and has multiple built in programs which can either slow the brain waves for relaxation or aiding in meditation, or can speed the brainwaves to improve alertness. The electrical supply can either be set to recharge the unit for periodic battery use, or to be simply plugged in long term. The numerical pad on the control panel has keys which double for functions, although later models appear to have a different control interface. In addition to the built in functions, control of each aspect of the light goggles and sound can be manually controlled. The device ships with Tru-Vu goggles which provide an even illumination with separate activation of left and right visual fields to increase the entrainment. I particularly like the sound input mode of this device which allows a CD player or iPod to provide music which is then integrated into the light/sound program. I have found this particular device to be well made, durable, and reliable.

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Binaural OOB Training

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

William Buhlman is one of the most clear authors who writes about the Out of Body experience [at least that I’ve found], and his direct informative style was the flavor of the weekend seminar as well. As an experiential workshop, the two and a half days included about 10 different meditative practices designed to increase the likelihood of experiencing a willed OOB. Several of the techniques are described in his book, “Adventures Beyond the Body,” and some are included in CDs designed by William which use the binaural technology to help the brain entrain to the 4hz range. More information is available at his website: http://www.astralinfo.org/

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2011 International Alchemy Conference

Sunday, June 5th, 2011

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Journey to the Wild Divine

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

A somewhat more high tech means of reaching meditative states comes from biofeedback technologies. Although many devices exist, one of the most entertaining and engrossing I’ve found is the series which begins with The Journey to the Wild Divine.

The Wild Divine series is a group of rather sophisticated computer programs which provide a rather amazing and detailed means of monitoring internal physiological states during meditation. Provided with each of the programs is a biofeedback hand monitor which communicates with your computer via a USB cable. Events on the screen change as the physiological rates change in your body. The first two programs have a nearly video game appearance, and require that you find various locations in order to access the particular meditative exercises. The graphics which follow successful completion of each exercise are stunning.

My favorite of the three, though, is the last, which provides a direct series of tutorials on different meditative methods and different types of breathing exercises. Also included in this software is a heart rate variability monitor which allows for direct video biofeedback for this important physiological measure which many researchers claim correlates with heart health. This program is called Healing Rhythms. Another benefit set of this programs are the video instruction modules which include the likes of Andrew Weil and Deepak Chopra. The ability to objectively observe the level of relaxation using the software makes all three of the programs excellent training tools, even for those who find meditation otherwise “boring.” These are all available for both Mac and PC platforms. Note I have no connection with the company or their website.

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More Candle Flame

Monday, March 8th, 2010

There has been more response to the Candle Flame entry than any other, so perhaps a bit more examination would be appropriate.

Another aspect to notice is that after studying the flame for several minutes, intently, and with minimal blinking, it will appear either in the mind’s eye or vividly against a white wall [look away from the candle in this last instant] in reversed colors. A yellow candle flame will appear blue-ish or purple-ish. You can test this with various other objects, as was done both in the Indian Tattwa meditations, and in the Golden Dawn practices. If you focus attention, as an example, on a red triangle, the afterimage on a white wall or in the mind, will be green.

The Golden Dawn and other groups made intense meditation diagrams using these complementary colors together. They referred to them as “flashing colors.” You can experience the intensity, for example, by drawing or printing a bright red triangle upon a bright deep green background. In using this object for visual meditative practice, the red triangle will jump out at you during the eyes open contemplation due to the maximal contrast between foreground and background. You can create any object at this intensity by using the exact complementary color as a background or foreground to the color of the object. This effect can be so jarring than many artists painting in a more subtle style will avoid the exact complementary color as being too bold.

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The Neti Neti Meditation

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

To move away from breath based exercises for awhile: here is a meditation loosely based upon a meditation from the yogic traditions that has the potential of leading to rather profound results.

Take a few moments to relax and allow your breathing to become calm and regular, but don’t really focus upon it.

After you’ve allowed some space from the immediate concerns of life, focus upon your foot with as much mental clarity as possible, but certainly don’t allow frustration to develop over lack of absolute clarity. Once the idea of your foot occupies your mind, mentally say to yourself: “This foot is not me. If I was without this foot I would still be me. What then am I?” During the final part of this mental statement, imagine that your foot disappears. Repeat this sequence with each area of the body: the other foot, the calves, the thighs, etc., up to and including the head, face and brain.

What is “I” in absence of the brain. . . . . ?

What insights arise from this exercise after a few weeks of daily practice?

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Fourfold breath

Monday, July 27th, 2009

With this breathing pattern, you choose a particular count for each of the four phases of the breath. The number for your count must obviously be lower than the highest numbers in the threefold breath, as the period of time in complete exhale is usually not comfortable for as long as time spent in full inhale. This breathing pattern is quite relaxing and centering, in my experience.

Start with a reasonable count such as four or six: inhale to that count, hold the full inhale for that count, exhale to that count, hold the full exhale to that count. Slowly increase the number of the count as is comfortable for you. This is not a marathon, it should be relaxing and peaceful.

After daily practice for a few weeks, how does this compare to the other breathing patterns in terms of subjective experience during and after the practice?

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Threefold breath

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

The threefold breath adds a phase in that the peak of inhalation is held for a bit. Typically the pattern is to hold your breath four times longer than the inhalation, and to exhale for a time period double that of the inhalation. As an example, breath in to the count of 4, hold the breath for a count of 16, and exhale to the count of 8. If this is too difficult, then reduce the count of the inhalation, and then keep the ratios the same. Other examples could be 3:12:6, or later in the practice 5:20:10. Take it easy during practice: try to get full inhalation and full exhalation, but don’t strain, and don’t exhaust your muscles. It may take time to build this practice comfortably, and will certainly take weeks of practice to see results. You will likely feel warmer while doing this practice. Observe your experience during each phase, and monitor your impressions. Using a metronome may help the cycle be more regular.

More advanced versions of this practice include inhale through left nostril, exhale right, inhale right, exhale left as a single cycle. Start simply, though, and add these additional pieces slowly.

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Simple Circular Breath

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

Back to breath for a few blog entries. Little is so primary to human life as the intake of breath to provide oxygen. The first breath exercise was to allow focus upon the breath without altering its natural flow. There are multiple breath meditations designed to utilize specific patterns of inhalation and exhalation to aid in the creation of meditative states of awareness.

This simple circular breath is perhaps one of the easiest of these methods, and one which we will build upon over the next few entries.

Sit down and allow thoughts of the day to fade. Observe the breath as it naturally flows for a few moments. Close your eyes.

When ready inhale slowly but comfortably. Make sure that first the abdomen expands, then the chest, then the tips of the shoulder. This full breath fills the entire lung space. Don’t neglect to expand the abdomen first. You will reverse this sequence for the exhalation and try to empty the lungs completely by pulling the abdomen in at the end of the exhale.

For this particular breath exercise, count the number of seconds of the inhalation, do not pause, immediately start the exhalation for exactly the same number of seconds as the inhalation. Again, do not pause at the end of exhalation, but start the next inhalation which should also last for the same number of seconds. The breath is similar to a large circle with the inhalation being half, and the exhalation being the other half, with no breath holds at any point. Always flowing.

How does this practice feel different from the earlier one? Do the results of practice differ?

Find a comfortable number of seconds for the inhalation/exhalation: don’t struggle or strain, and don’t slow the cycle to a point of feeling “air hunger.”

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Binaural Beat Technology

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

Over the course of time, sometimes months to years, meditative practice allows the diligent student the ability to remain consciously aware at different rates of brainwave activity than that of waking state [beta]. It has also been observed that various types of drumming, from tribal to raves, provide a rapid access to trance states based upon the rhythm combined with overpowering volume of sound. In some manner these sounds alter brainwave state through a process usually referred to as entrainment. Once a particular brainwave state is achieved in this manner, it becomes easier to access the state without necessarily having to use the technology again.

For the individual wishing to experience a more solitary experience of binaural beats than tribal drumming, there are several options, ranging from CDs to light-sound machines. Robert Monroe studied the ability of sounds provided at slightly different pitches to cause an entrainment of brainwaves which related to the difference between the sound frequencies in each ear. This technology is designed to entrain brainwaves to more rapidly move into the frequencies often associated with meditative experience: low alpha to mid-theta. Most studies have suggested that people do not become reliant on these methods to reach meditative states. Rather, the technology can help them reach the states initially, but is not required to return to those same brain states in the future.

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