An electrochemical organ using electromagnetic energy to function – that’s what your brain is. So far, scientists have been able to gauge brainwaves – measurable electromagnetic pulses from that organ – into four different strengths or categories. Brainwaves are measured to various degrees of amplitude and frequencies, but a complete explanation of those scientific terms is not necessary. Do understand though, that research has determined that men, women, and children all experience similar brainwaves; and brainwaves are the same regardless of race, creed, religion, culture, or nationality. Keeping it simple, here are the four categories of brainwaves and the sort of behavior you probably exhibit for each:
BETA. Your brain when you’re wide awake. You’ll be having a conversation or thinking logically. You’d be in “high” beta when you’re teaching a class, or making a closing argument to a jury, or bartering for tomatoes at the farmers market.
ALPHA. Your brain when you’re relaxed. You’ll be lying in a field trying to figure out what the clouds are shaped like. No arousal, no worry, vacation time for your brain.
THETA. Your brain when you’re asleep and dreaming (rapid eye movement state), or you are engaged in creative thought. Or, you’re meditating, experiencing paranormal phenomena such as out of body experiences, ESP, or “shamanic” journeys.
DELTA. Your brain is turned off as far as you’re concerned (your brain never really shuts down unless you’re dead). You are in state of deep dreamless sleep.
Theta is the operative mode for meditation. If you’re driving over a long, straight, flat highway and suddenly discover that you are indeed driving over a long, straight, flat highway, but with no realization of what has passed, you’ve probably been in a “theta” state. You’ve been on auto-pilot. Any thought has been a sort of free-flow that has no goodness or badness. You just “are.” This is a positive and free mental state. It is good. You have become a silent star spinning through the universe.
Some studies of meditation have linked the practice to increased activity in a certain parts of the brain connected to concentration, planning, thinking about thinking(!), and good feelings. Folks who exhibit little or no activity in that area of their brains are often suffering from depression and anxiety.
Experienced Buddhists are less likely to be shocked, flustered, surprised or angry as other folks.
There are many methods to approach meditation. Among the more familiar are those methods that are a part of the Buddhist religion, Zen for instance, or transcendental meditation that has roots in another eastern religious sect. Christians sometimes speak of “being in a state of grace.” Understand that you don’t have to practice any religion to achieve “grace” or “nirvana”. Some religions do focus on that, but it is peripheral to that state of being.
With a focus on Buddhism – for no particular reason, since the theta mode is the same no matter what – some neuroscientists have discovered that certain areas of the brains of Buddhists “light up” (theta brain waves) during meditation in much the same way as do non-Buddhists when experiencing positive emotions or a good mood. Experienced Buddhists are less likely to be shocked, flustered, surprised or angry as other folks. They have control over those positive areas of their brains that can inhibit more primitive behavior, such as xenophobia or revenge.
Folks who have achieved certain levels of meditational experience often show a pronounced lack of physical ailments to include lower blood pressure, fewer gastrointestinal problems, clearer skin, and just a better depth of overall health.
As stated above, there are many avenues to the theta zone. Do a bit of research. Pick a way that seems right to you. There are often Buddhist churches or transcendental meditation centers in many cities and suburbs. Even check your YMCA or a health club if you’re interested in yoga, which is an avenue to physical as well as spiritual wellness. Often, certain martial arts are a training of the mind more than chops or thrusts to vanquish a enemy, but there is brain strength and health there, too.
Your mind, and your body, will appreciate brain training through meditation. Spiritual, mental, and physical health and strength should “be” your life.
