Meditation is perhaps the most powerful way to achieve a state of serenity, enlightenment and happiness with the power of thought. Brain training and focusing skills are critical to achieving peak performance and success in any endeavor.
I am sure that many are interested in how, after all, such a rather simple action as meditation has such a strong effect on our body. Fortunately, this question is of interest to scientists who continue to conduct various studies and publish their results.
There are five main categories of brain waves, each of which corresponds to a different activity and activates a different area of the brain. Meditation allows you to move from high frequency brain waves to low frequency brain waves. Slower waves provide more time between thoughts, which gives you more ability to skillfully “choose” your actions.
5 categories of brain waves: why meditation works
1. State “Gamma”: 30-100 Hz. It is a state of hyperactivity and active learning. “Gamma” is the best time to memorize information. However, over-stimulation can provoke anxiety.
2. State “Beta”: 13-30 Hz. We stay in it for most of the day, which is associated with the activity of the prefrontal cortex. It is a state of “work” or “thinking consciousness” – analysis, planning, evaluation and categorization.
3. State “Alpha”: 9-13 Hz. Brain waves begin to slow down, there is a way out of the state of “thinking consciousness”. We feel calmer and more peaceful. We often find ourselves in the “Alpha state” after yoga, walking in the woods, sexual gratification, or any activity that helps relax the body and mind. Our consciousness is clear, we literally glow, there is a slight distraction.
4. State “Theta”: 4-8 Hz. We are ready to start meditating. This is the point at which the mind goes from a verbal / thinking state to a meditative / visual state. We begin to move mentally from reasoning and planning – “deep”, reaching the integrity of consciousness. It feels like falling asleep. At the same time, intuition is strengthened, the ability to solve complex problems increases. “Theta” is the state of associative visualization.
5. Delta state: 1-3 Hz. Tibetan monks who have practiced meditation for many years are able to achieve it in the waking state, but most of us can reach this final state during deep dreamless sleep.
An easy way to meditate for beginners:
To move from “Beta” or “Alpha” to “Theta” state, it is easiest to start meditation with concentration of attention on the breath. Breathing and consciousness work in tandem: when breathing begins to lengthen, brain waves slow down.
To begin the meditation, sit comfortably in a chair with your shoulders and spine relaxed along its entire length. Place your hands on your knees, close your eyes, and try to eliminate any external stimuli.
Watch your breathing. Just follow its flow. Don’t try to change your breathing. Just watch.
Silently repeat the mantra: “Inhale … Exhale ..”. When consciousness begins to wander, return to breathing again. Pay attention: as soon as the breath begins to lengthen and “fill” the body, consciousness will begin to come to rest.
REGULARITY is of key importance. Try doing this breathing meditation immediately after waking up and / or in the evening. Regular short meditations will do much more benefit than long sessions every few weeks. Take 5 minutes a day to practice and add 1 minute every week.
I have been meditating for several months and even in such a short period of time I managed to understand and feel many of the positive effects of meditation.
Video instruction on how to meditate in just one (!) Moment.