Meditation and Brainwaves
Control your brainwaves and you control your state of mind. By raising or slowing our brainwaves, we can altar how we think, feel and act. Meditation is the process of slowing our waking beta brainwaves to the slower states of alpha and theta. By learning to control these states, we can improve our health and well-being.
Brainwaves are the electrical movements in the brain. The frequency of these brainwaves can be measured using an electroencephalograph (EEG). Electrodes placed on the scalp measure the frequency of these brainwaves. From highest to lowest frequency, these brainwaves are called beta, alpha, theta and delta.
Beta is the waking, thinking state. During beta, brainwaves range from 14 to 40 cycles per second. In beta, an individual thinks and listens, can solve analytical problems, make decisions, and intake and process information. This is our normal state of mind when working, going to school and shopping. During beta our minds are the most alert.
Alpha is a slower state more indicative of relaxing and reflecting. During alpha, brainwaves range from 9 to 14 cycles per second. In the alpha state, an individual is fully aware of his/her surroundings but in a much more relaxed state of mind than beta. Meditation is often practiced in the alpha state.
Theta is an even slower state perfect for daydreaming and intuitive thinking. During theta, brainwaves range from 5 to 8 cycles per second. It is the state between wakefulness and sleep. In this state of mind, memories, thoughts and facts that eluded a person in a wakeful state can be recalled. It is often in this state that answers to problems seem to appear. Deep meditation and prayer are practiced in the theta state.
Delta is the slowest of the four states where sleep occurs. During delta, brainwaves range from 1.5 to 4 cycles per second. At the slowest delta level, sleep is deep and dreamless.
During our waking and sleeping hours, the brain moves through all four of these stages. At any given level, there is a range in brainwaves that effect how deeply we have entered that state. By knowing how these states function, we can knowingly enter a particular state and control how our thoughts are processed.
Jose Silva wrote in his book The Silva Mind Control Method, “When you are wide awake, doing and achieving in the workaday world, you are in Beta or ‘outer consciousness’. When you are daydreaming, or just going to sleep but not quite there yet, or just awakening but not yet awake, you are in Alpha. When you are asleep you are in Alpha, Theta, or Delta, not just Delta alone, as many believe. With Mind Control training you can enter the Alpha level at will and still remain fully alert”.
Meditation allows our minds to move through these states leading us to a healthy lifestyle. When we control our brainwaves, we control how we think, feel, reason and react. Relaxation, creativity and self-awareness flow naturally. As we mediate, our physical health improves as we move closer and closer to a healthy lifestyle. Consciously controlling our brainwaves is a step towards healthy living.
About the Author
How Breathing, Yoga and Positive Thinking Can Increase Intelligence
First let’s define what it means to be smart.
There currently isn’t a universal way to measure intelligence. Some people use the standard benchmarks, for example, test scores and grade point averages to determine intelligence; however, such variables have proven inconsistent and biased. High scores can mainly be a result of studying for hours and hours. In our current educational system, these tests are sometimes a better indicator of a capacity to remember versus understand.
Although there seem to be several controversies in the field of measuring intelligence–some individuals take test scores as evidence that a person is “smart,” while others prefer to look at problem solving abilities–nearly everyone accepts that a well-developed brain promotes intelligence. But in the field of alternative therapy, where humans are studied from the perspective of their energy field and the chakras, intelligence has a clear indication which is actually measurable.
The human body is basically made up of two parts: the visible physical body and the invisible physical body, also known as the energy body or aura. In the energy body there exist energy channels and energy centers, called the chakras. Chakras are like power plants that are responsible for the proper functioning of different organs in the body. Every chakra is basically in charge of regulating and controlling certain vital internal organs.
The upper chakras, in this case including the Ajna (third eye); forehead; crown and back head, energize the whole head including the pituitary and pineal glands, and the brain. This means that in order for the brain to work at an optimal level, the upper chakras should be strong and activated.
Chakras also have psychological functions. The throat and third eye chakras, in this case, are believed to be the focal points for detailed thinking, abstract thinking and creativity. This implies that the healthier and stronger the human chakras, particularly the upper ones, the more intelligent the individual.
Here are four simple practices which can actually increase your intelligence:
- Combine Physical and Breathing Exercise
Body and mind are somehow connected to one another. Therefore, to have a sharp and intelligent mind, we need to have a healthy physical body. Regular physical exercises not only detoxifies the body from used up energies, toxins and waste materials, but it also helps to increase the blood and energy circulation. The effect is a healthier and stronger physical body.
Breathing exercises in yogic systems are known as pranayama, meaning extension of breath or life. These exercises refer to various rhythmic breathing techniques that are normally practiced as a part of one’s spiritual practice. In such techniques, abdominal versus chest breathing is often used, as it has cleansing and purifying effects on the chakras. This includes the solar plexus chakra. It also increases the energy levels in the body.
Breathing exercises in this case, because of their specific rhythmic pattern, help in relieving stress and calming emotions. The effect is more clarity, sharpness and awareness. Increased energy circulation in the body also improves the energy levels of the brain, therefore improving its various functions.
- Meditate
Meditation in general helps to calm emotions and clear thoughts. It increases both the clarity and sharpness of the mind. Based on research done using GDV and Kirlian cameras, meditation has been proven as an effective habit for cleansing the energy body and balancing the chakras.
Meditation is a very powerful technique that can flush out the clouds of unfavorable thoughts and emotions by bringing down tremendous amounts of divine energy to the system. It further activates the human energy centers, including the heart and the crown chakra, and in return improves both intuition and intellect. Meditation can create positive effects on the brain and nervous system by improving memory, focus and clarity.
- Think Positive
The more positive, blissful and happy we are, the more sharp and alert we become. Positive feelings nourish the soul. Negative emotions and thoughts clog the aura and contaminate our chakras, which in return clouds our perception and distracts our attention. Positive thoughts and emotions create a soothing and calming effect on the mind and body.
Have you noticed that whenever we are positive, our minds get clearer and our attention gets focused? We even become more productive. In order to think clearly and become smarter, it is very important to regulate emotions and think positive thoughts.
- Build Stronger Chakras
Certain chakras are basically gateways to greater levels of intelligence and intuition. When these chakras are activated and made stronger, our intelligence levels increase. The upper chakras that control and energize the brain have a direct influence on the brains ability to function.
There are many techniques, meditations and healing systems that can help us to achieve bigger and stronger chakras, including Pranic Healing, Reiki, Qigong and yoga. Such systems introduce simple yet very effective techniques for cleansing, energizing and strengthening the human chakras.
Consciously practicing these tips will improve functionality and intelligence.
