Meditation is one of the most powerful means to improve your mind as you age. But some folks have trouble sitting still for any length of time. Others find that despite their best efforts, they aren’t able to stop attending to distractions. What if you could utilize simple audio technology to ease your brain waves into patterns that are indistinguishable from those of someone who has practiced meditation for decades? What if there were an effortless way to accelerate the benefits of meditation?
The highest
activities of consciousness
have their origins in physical
occurrences of the brain, just as
the loveliest melodies are not too
sublime to be expressed by notes.
— W. SOMERSET
MAUGHAM
There is a way, and the technology exists. Based on decades of validated biofeedback research, brain wave training can help you experience the many benefits of meditation and optimize all aspects of cerebral performance. As Edward A. Taub, MD, explains, “You don’t have to learn how to meditate; this technology literally meditates you.”
Robert Cosgrove, MD, PhD, a biomedical engineer and expert in reversing the negative effects associated with age, notes, “Technologies altering brainwave patterns have great potential for promoting optimal cerebral performance, and long-term use may delay deterioration of the brain traditionally associated with aging.”
In addition to preventing decline, brain wave training may also be helpful in improving intelligence throughout life. Siegfried Othmer, PhD, another pioneer in the field of biofeedback, reports that brain wave training can improve performance in reading comprehension, memory-related tasks, and logic-handling abilities. In one study of children with IQ scores below 100, Othmer found that brain wave training resulted in average gains of 23 IQ points. Furthermore, one year later, the subjects had maintained their gains as well as demonstrating significant improvements in self-concept, creativity, and concentration.
For many years, brain wave training involved going to a therapist’s office, having electrodes applied to your scalp with a sticky paste, and sitting in front of a computer screen while you learned how to manipulate your brain waves into the ideal states for creativity, concentration, stress reduction, a good night’s sleep, or meditation.
Biofeedback research has accelerated dramatically over the past thirty years. New technology makes brain wave training accessible to anyone with a pair of headphones and an audio player.
The Brain Sync: Improve Your Mind as You Age brain wave training audio program utilizes an audio technology that synchronizes and balances your brain for greater resilience, brilliance, and flexibility.
You can download your complimentary audio program at www.brainpowerdownload.com (coupon code: MeditateMe). A CD can also be purchased at the same website.
The audio program contains four tracks:
• Track 1 (Introduction and Instructions for Listening)
• Track 2 (Pure Coherence) refreshes your brain, clears mental fog, and focuses your mind like a laser beam. It also works as a natural antidepressant to boost your mood and energy levels. You’ll feel alert and energized as your ability to think, concentrate, and store information is improved dramatically.
• Track 3 (Deep Resonance) allows you to effortlessly reach depths of meditation that would otherwise take years of practice to attain. As you listen, muscles relax, fears vanish, and stress fades; negative thoughts are washed away by streams of creative insight.
• Track 4 (Slow-Wave Sleep) encourages restful, regenerative sleep. With regular use of this track, you’ll establish healthier sleep patterns and feel more refreshed in the morning.
All three main tracks facilitate the remarkable mental state known as hemispheric synchronization, which supports whole-brain thinking. Most people tend to favor one hemisphere over the other or shift between left-brain (analytical) and right-brain (imaginative) dominance in cycles that last from thirty minutes to three hours. While one hemisphere is dominant, the attributes and skills of the other are less available.
When both hemispheres operate in harmony, you enjoy a profound synergy of logic and imagination. Your mind becomes sharper, more focused, and more lucid. You synthesize and solve problems with greater speed. And you may be delighted to discover that you are more in touch with your emotions and intuition, and more receptive to creative insight.
Brain Sync harmonically layers pure and precisely tuned sound waves called “binaural beat frequencies” behind soothing musical tones to gently guide your brain into balance. A binaural beat frequency is an audio phenomenon that occurs in the brain when two slightly different sine waves are delivered to either ear through headphones. A sine wave is a continuous wave with a constant frequency and amplitude. For example, a sine wave of 100 Hz played in the left ear plus another one at 107 Hz in the right ear will produce a perception of a pulsating beat of 7 Hz. (Hz is the abbreviation for hertz — not the rental car company but the standard unit for measuring cycles per second.)
In other words, the two hemispheres of the brain function together to “hear” not the external sound signals but instead a third “phantom” beat, which is the mathematical difference between the two tones. The beat is not coming through the headphones but is perceived and experienced within the brain. It sounds like a soft, gentle drumbeat.
Discovered in 1839 by German physicist Heinrich Wilhelm Dove, binaural beats were just a curious anomaly until 1973, when Gerald Oster, MD, published his landmark article entitled “Auditory Beats in the Brain.” Working at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, Dr. Oster found that binaural beats evoked change in the electrical activity of the listener’s brain. This tendency for brain waves to resonate sympathetically is known as the frequency following response.
In the same way you might tap your foot to the rhythm of a song, brain activity naturally falls into rhythm with binaural beats. This frequency-following response means that binaural beats can be orchestrated to influence our brain waves, thus altering our states of consciousness. Different brain wave types are associated with different mental states, such as alpha for relaxation, beta for concentration, theta for meditation, and delta for sleep.
Michael Hutchison, author of Megabrain: New Tools and Techniques for Brain Growth and Mind Expansion, explains, “Research results show that parts of the brain, and eventually large areas of the brain, resonate sympathetically to this ‘phantom’ binaural beat, like a crystal goblet vibrates in response to a pure musical tone. Brain Sync audio programs thus provide a highly effective method for rapidly altering brain wave activity to boost you into specific, expanded states of consciousness.” Hutchison describes the technology as “training wheels for your brain.”
Brain waves — represented by squiggly lines on an electroencephalogram (EEG) monitor — show the speed at which neurons fire. Each time a neuron fires, an electromagnetic spark of energy is released, setting off a chain reaction among other neurons. The speed of the connection correlates to the speed of the frequency. For example, beta brain waves (associated with alertness) oscillate at much faster speeds than delta waves (associated with sleep).
You have your own unique brain wave patterns that function habitually. Some of these brain wave habits are useful, and others need some fine-tuning. When your brain is functioning efficiently, your brain waves are “in sync” with your activity, but stress or lack of sleep can interfere with this natural, harmonious relationship. Brain Sync technology can help you coordinate your brain waves with your desired behavior so that you can overcome stress, improve sleep, and enjoy the benefits of meditation, effortlessly. It can also support the development of new patterns that will improve your mind as you age.
In the 1930s, researchers began to identify several different types of brain waves that correspond to specific mental states.
Beta and gamma waves (12–40 Hz) are correlated with the fastest of all the brain wave states — neurons fire rapidly and abundantly. These brain wave states are associated with alertness and focus. Beta is the best modality for activities where directed attention and high levels of concentration are needed. Biofeedback therapists often use beta training to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD).
Even if you don’t have ADD, beta waves support mental alertness. They are beneficial for any activities that require focus and concentration. Beta waves help you prepare to take an exam, play sports, give a presentation, analyze and organize information, and perform other activities for which mental clarity is essential.
Some researchers refer to brain waves at the level of 40 Hz as gamma waves (others do not distinguish gamma waves as a distinct class but include them in beta waves). Nobel laureate Sir Francis Crick and other scientists believe that the 40 Hz frequency plays a special role in advanced cognition and high-level information processing.
Pure Coherence, track 2 on the Brain Sync audio program, features the 40 Hz frequency so that you can cultivate a sharper mind, greater clarity, and increased ability to concentrate.
When you begin to relax, your brain activity slows from the rapid patterns of beta into the more gentle waves of alpha (7–12 Hz). In alpha, you experience a liberating sense of peace and well-being. “Subtle and ineffable” are the words used by pioneering biofeedback researcher Lester Fehmi, PhD, to describe the deep enjoyment of the alpha experience. Joe Kamiya, PhD, another leading researcher, posits that the pleasure associated with alpha may come from “letting go of anxieties.”
Alpha is the gateway into deeper states of consciousness. When alpha brain waves become stronger, logical left-brain activity — which normally acts as a filter or censor to the subconscious — drops its guard. This allows the more intuitive, creative depths of the mind to become increasingly influential.
Deep Resonance, track 3 on the Brain Sync audio program, layers alpha with theta waves to promote deeply pleasurable states of relaxation.
Theta waves (4–7 Hz) are associated with the most elusive and extraordinary realm of consciousness. We normally experience theta fleetingly, upon awakening or drifting off to sleep. It allows access to the intuitive wisdom that resides just below the surface of normal waking consciousness.
Sudden flashes of insight — “Aha” and “Eureka” moments — are the province of the theta state. Theta inspires creativity, enhances learning and dream recall, reduces stress, and awakens extrasensory perception. At the very least, theta is a tranquil state of mind that brings many rejuvenating benefits.
FROM ANCIENT WISDOM TO MODERN SCIENCE
Melinda Maxfield of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies notes that shamans from many cultures have found ways to access the theta state. One method, common to many indigenous cultures throughout history, is to use drumbeats struck in the theta range of 4.5 cycles per second.
Many great leaps of creative genius came in the theta state. Einstein’s theory of relativity came to him in a daydream, as he envisioned himself surfing on a sunbeam into infinity. August Kekulé solved one of the most challenging problems in the history of organic chemistry — the conundrum of the structure of the benzene ring — when he fell into a reverie in his easy chair (there’s some debate as to whether he was aided by a few glasses of fine brandy). In his mind’s eye, Kekulé saw a vivid image of a snake chasing its own tail, an image that showed him the missing molecular puzzle piece. Archimedes’s famous “Eureka” moment, when he intuited one of his principles of hydrostatics, came as he relaxed in the bath. Of course, these discoveries wouldn’t have occurred without years of focused work and intention to set the stage, but the creative leaps, in which the pieces of the puzzle seem to effortlessly and vividly fall into place, are usually associated with the deeply relaxed, meditative theta state.
It normally takes considerable training to enter and maintain this state for longer periods of time. Advanced meditators learn to balance on the tightrope of theta, experiencing timeless states of reverie, vivid imagery, and access to insight and intuition.
Deep Resonance, track 3 on the Brain Sync audio program, layers theta with alpha waves so that you can experience the many benefits of meditation.
Long, slow, undulating delta waves (0–4 Hz) are the slowest of the four brain wave frequencies and are associated with sleep. Delta facilitates high-quality, restorative sleep, essential to healing and renewal.
Slow-Wave Sleep, track 4 on the Brain Sync audio program, offers a soothing pattern of delta waves hidden beneath the sound of ocean waves to help you sleep soundly.
The best aspect of working with Brain Sync is that you don’t have to do anything. You will experience tremendous benefits just by listening.
For best results, listen to only one track per session, as each one provides a unique experience. You may, however, listen to the different tracks at separate intervals throughout the day. And only listen with headphones — the stereo effect is essential to producing hemispheric synchronization. Here’s the best way to listen to each of the three main tracks (tracks 2–4).
• Track 2 (Pure Coherence): Beta and gamma waves increase mental clarity and alertness, so start your day with the Pure Coherence track (it’s not recommended for nighttime use). Boosting gamma wave activity will enhance all your senses and perception. Listen to this track before doing anything that requires your full attention. In addition to sharpening your concentration and focus, the frequencies on this track enhance hand-eye coordination. Golfers, tennis players, and other athletes find that listening just before competing helps them enter the state of “flow,” also known as “relaxed concentration” or “the zone,” which can enhance enjoyment and performance.
• Track 3 (Deep Resonance): Alpha and theta waves gently guide your mind into a relaxed, meditative state. Many people like to begin their day with meditation, finding that a dose of theta waves in the morning helps them maintain more ease and mindfulness. And since many people experience a dip in their energy later in the day, listening to the Deep Resonance track in the afternoon will refresh your mind and give you a second wind. Find a time that works best for you and experiment with regular practice.
• Track 4 (Slow-Wave Sleep): Hidden beneath the calming sound of ocean waves, delta frequencies ease your brain out of the rapid rhythms of beta into the deepest levels of sleep, known as slow-wave sleep. Slow-wave sleep plays a vital role in health and well-being. Deprivation of this sleep state can lead to unpleasant feelings of grogginess, depression, and general malaise. Slow-Wave Sleep is free of music and words, making it easier to drift off to a deep, refreshing sleep. Listen when you want to take a nap or before bed. If you wake up in the middle of the night and find it hard to go back to sleep, this track will gently lull you back to dreamland. You can set your audio player to automatically replay this track during the night. Even if your lifestyle doesn’t allow for a full eight hours of sleep, a few hours of slow-wave sleep will help you wake feeling refreshed and revitalized.
Q. Can I use Brain Sync as a substitute for meditation?
A. It’s best to think of Brain Sync as a complement or adjunct to meditation. Brain Sync will help you generate the same brain wave patterns as measured in advanced meditators. Meditation adepts find the program deepens their experience, and beginners find that using the program makes it much easier to develop and sustain a meditation practice. Patricia Joudry, coauthor of Sound Therapy: Music to Recharge Your Brain, says this about the Brain Sync program: “Listening was like having my brain lifted above my head and bathed in golden light. The mind-still and blissful peace that Brain Sync induced was comparable with the highest states of meditation that I have ever experienced.”
Q. Do I need any special equipment?
A. All you need is a pair of headphones and an audio player. Any standard headphones work, including earbuds or noise-cancelling headphones; use whatever is most comfortable for you.
Q. Why do I need to listen with headphones?
A. The positive benefits of Brain Sync technology are predicated on the coordinated stereo effect — different frequencies played in each ear combine in the brain to produce specific brain waves.
Q. Can I get the benefits of Brain Sync by listening on my iPod?
A. Yes.
Q. Is there anything I can do to enhance the experience of using Brain Sync?
A. Find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down with your spine straight. Close your eyes and breathe deeply as you let the waves wash through your brain.
Q. Is Brain Sync safe?
A. When used properly, Brain Sync is completely safe. These programs have been used successfully and safely by millions of people. Individuals with epilepsy or anyone who has been diagnosed with a neuroelectrical malfunction, such as being prone to seizures, shouldn’t use Brain Sync without professional supervision.
Q. Can children listen to Brain Sync?
A. No. Brain wave training is not recommended for children under the age of twelve, unless under the supervision of a qualified biofeedback therapist.
Q. Can I listen to the sound tracks while I do other things?
A. You will get the greatest benefit if you listen in a comfortable position, without distraction, and with your eyes closed. Do not listen while driving or operating a machine.
Q. How long will it take before I experience results?
A. Most people feel the effects from the very first use. Moreover, brain wave training has a cumulative, positive effect. After a month or two, you’ll realize that you’ve achieved benefits, such as greater clarity of thought, increased ability to cope with stress, and sharper memory.
Q. Do I need to listen to the entire Brain Sync program every day?
A. No. Each track is designed for specific results and benefits. You can listen to just one track or all of them, depending on your specific needs and goals.
Q. Does Brain Sync require any sort of belief system?
A. No. Brain Sync is based on a scientific understanding of brain waves and does not require any particular belief system to be effective.
Q. Does Brain Sync support general healing and wellness?
A. Sound sleep and meditation contribute to general health and wellness. And neurosurgeon Douglas Applewhite, MD, reports, “We tested Brain Sync on patients before, during, and after surgery. The programs seem to facilitate more rapid recovery. The comments from these patients were very positive in terms of relaxing and helping them manage the pain as well as aiding in their recovery.”
Q. Can you summarize the benefits of Brain Sync?
A. Brain Sync facilitates greater coherence throughout your brain. Enhanced coherence is associated with improvements in creative thinking, intuitive awareness, accelerated learning, mindfulness, memory, and perceived well-being. The Brain Sync audio program is designed to liberate your brain power and improve your mind as you age.