Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Brainwave Entrainment: A Shortcut Path Of Meditation

By Edward Crivello

Gaining momentum and becoming more well known in the area of brain/mind technology is what has been coined brainwave entrainment. All over the world various self improvement enthusiasts, as well as neurologists and psychologists, and medical personnel, are beginning to incorporate brainwave entrainment into their work. Some are also figuring out that brainwave entrainment is an alternative to meditation and/or that it enhances their existing meditation practice. The most common form of brainwave entrainment, but perhaps not yet too well known in mainstream society, is the use of binaural beats and isochronic tones.

In general terms brainwave entrainment is the method of using external stimulus, such as binaural beats or isochronic tones, for bringing a persons brainwaves to an intended brainwave level that corresponds with the entrainment used. For example if one is listening to binaural beats that are set at a frequency of 9 hz, then eventually that persons brainwaves will fall into step with that frequency level.

There are other forms of brainwave entrainment such as the use of flashing light in light glasses which come with light and sound machine devices otherwise known as mind machines. It is a form of brainwave entrainment. But flashing light presents a danger to those who are either prone to epilepsy or wearing a pacemaker. Binaural beats and isochronic tones are safer to use.

Binaural beats and isochronic tones have a lot of popularity among the new age and self help crowd, but on the main the science is unheard of by the general populace. But this can rapidly change as brainwave entrainment gains new recognition as we progress further into the twenty-first century and people seek more and more inner peace of mind.

Some believe that brainwave entrainment is different than actual meditation. But the brainwave entrainment method of listening to binaural beats and isochronic tones in place of regular meditation practice doesnt really exist because listening to an mp3 or cd that is embedded with either binaural beats or isochronic tones is actually a way of meditating. In other words one of the main purposes of meditation is the training of the mind to exit an active, anxious, stressful beta level of mind, and dip into a more calm and relaxing alpha state of mind, and even beyond into theta and delta levels.

Binaural beats and isochronic tones accomplish the same purposes, but with this one major difference: the benefits that one reaps after years of meditation practice can happen a lot sooner if you get into the habit of daily listening to certain brainwave sessions that are designed specifically for training the brain to enter the alpha, theta, or delta levels.

Meditation helps train the brain to be more synchronized and balanced. Periods of regular meditation practice help bring the brain from a gamma or beta level to a more relaxed alpha level, or even deeper to a theta level, and ultimately in very deep, intense meditation you can reach the delta level. Delta is a very life-giving, rejuvenating state of mind, but few reach it often enough, not even when they sleep.

Over the centuries and even today many people use different methods in an attempt to enter a deep state of meditation. Some use breathing techniques. Some use chanting, others use dance, instruments, music, devotional exercises and so much more. All these are different methods used for basically entraining the brain and lowering the brainwave frequencies to a state of mind at the alpha, theta or delta levels. And each of these four brainwave levels are associated with different benefits.

Basically meditation is made easy by means of the brainwave entrainment method of listening to either binaural beats or isochronic tones. In a way simply by listening to cds or mp3s that contain binaural or isochronic frequencies you are on a shortcut path to meditation, and to most people it is probably a new method of meditation altogether.

Just think about it: Your emotions are becoming more balanced, you are becoming a calmer, more likable person, you are experiencing on inner peace you did not know was possible in our day and age, you care less about what others think and perhaps you experience an improvement in your intelligence and stress becomes nonexistent etc. One would think you are an experienced zen monk who as achieved nirvana after many lifetimes of meditation practice. But all you did to get there is simply listen to your binaural beat or isochronic tone sessions regularly.

Fact is that you no more need to understand exactly how this process works than you need to know how the engines on an airplane work to get you from one destination to another. You just need to try it for yourself. Brainwave entrainment is super effective and fits into your daily routine very easily. Just twenty minutes to an hour a day listening to brainwave entrainment mp3s or cds you will begin to reap the benefits.

Finally, if this is all new to you and it has sparked your interest you are probably thinking about starting to do an online search for products with binaural beats etc. In the field of brainwave technology there are some great manufacturer's who create quality products. Some buyers prefer to purchase separate recordings which have been known to evoke almost any emotional state. Others prefer to enroll in a binaural beat program for self betterment. And yet others prefer cds instead of mp3s. Some are more expensive than others. Take time to choose, dont rush anything. Also keep in mind that just because one company sells their brainwave products for less money than other companies in the brainwave industry does not mean their product is less quality. More than likely it is probably because the creator of the product wants their products to be more affordable to the general public. - 14130

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