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Meditation is a very ancient form of enlightenment that guides our vibration to higher wave lengths and dimensions. Meditation stems back to 3500-5000 B.C.E and has widely been practiced throughout temples all over the world. The word meditation stems from meditatum, a Latin term that means ‘to ponder', Through the practice of meditation, we can seek to find a better connection with our mind and body in the everyday moments that we often let pass us bye. This creates a stronger awareness for how our emotions influence our overall behavior (Mead 2020).
Meditation allows us to work on "pondering" into important topics within our life and overall bigger purpose. Being able to stay completely "still" in our mind, body, soul is a powerful tool that will lead us to our highest tranquility and self awareness. This elevated consciousness heightens our perception due to a deeper understanding of life and our self. We have the ability to be better in our thought patterns, actions, decisions, emotional stability, discipline, self-control, body awareness and intuition because we take the time to reflect and efficiently choose the smarter outcomes. As well, it uplifts us to become mentally healthier and more resilient individuals.
Meditation is known to create a "high" that is due to endorphins releasing from the serenity and calmness that the brain encounters during deep levels of reflection. The frequencies we encounter through turning on our pineal gland and different lobes of the brain, allow for endorphins to release because we turn on our parasympathetic nervous system in the process. Due to life's hectic ness, many people are over stimulated and constantly functioning within their sympathetic nervous system. Life's challenges and hardships turn on our "fight or flight" mode, which causes many people to act or think compulsively and or irrationally. Due this issue many people will look for external substance to enhance or calm their mood and behavior because they are lacking the understanding of how to turn off one system, and tap into another.
One of the best ways we can turn on our parasympathetic nervous system is through our breathing. The power of our breath is amazing, and is deeply rooted within the practice of meditation. Simply remaining conscious of our breath and solely focused on it, allows us to relax to a deeper level and tune out any outside distractions. One of the many techniques we use is a simple 1 by 2 nasal pattern. This is inhaling deeply through our nose, holding for 1-2 seconds and exhaling for twice as long as it took to inhale. Our nose is directly connected to our diaphragm, and this is the main reason why we are supposed to be breathing in through our nose. We can take in the most air per breath through our nose, and this allows our heart rate and blood pressure to decrease and turn on our parasympathetic nervous system.
When we look at elite athletes, we can see the conscious effort of controlling their breathing can make or break their psyche in times of extreme focus or endurance. We can push ourselves through many challenges just by controlling our breathing, and this is demonstrated by Wim How, who can endure extreme cold temperatures for hours on end by controlling his breathing and mindset. The two are very inter related, and when we learn to control one, the other tends to follow suit.
Within my sports career, I always focused on taking deep breaths in order to calm my nerves and make smarter decisions. Controlling my breathing always made me seem slightly more in the moment and seemed to slow down time. Athletics are all about split second reactions, and any way we can perceive to slow things down is a bonus. If we do not focus on being completely relaxed in our mind, then our body will not be able to react quick enough with muscle memory decisions. This is due to the lack of control towards our focus or lack of mental toughness. Breath control can completely make or break an athlete in pressure situations, and is a key factor that separates amateurs from pros.
In my own life experience with meditation, I have had multiple times that I was able to reach very deep levels of enlightenment that allowed my body and mind to be harmonious in a state of nirvana that caused blissfulness beyond belief. The feeling of floating and embracing the universe around me, caused time to fly by quicker than I ever realized, what felt like minutes was actually almost an hour. Having the ability to let go of all stress and dive into revealing my true purpose and higher mindset brought me joy and pleasure beyond anything I had ever experienced before. It was so pleasant that it brought tears to my eyes. It was absolutely amazing to reach that level of stillness and tranquility, and ever since then, I've continuously chosen to spread awareness to as many people as possible, the priceless value of "stillness" and letting go of the physical world with meditation.
The reason we can reach this level of consciousness is due to allowing our body to just observe all its senses freely and honestly without any judgement. We have to be open to whatever flows through us, and embrace those thoughts or emotions in the moment because they are there for reason. Whatever is popping into our head at the time is a sign that we may need to let go of certain things, or focus more in that direction, but everything happens for a purpose, and we find the best answers to our lives from within. Meditation is the best way to tap back into the present moment when life seems sped up, or "heavy". It brings us back into harmony with our higher self and creates real consciousness. When we are conscious, we live smarter, healthier, and kinder towards Mother Earth and all living beings that we have the pleasure to share her with.
To dive deeper into understanding how meditation affects our brain functions, we explain the impacts of different levels within different brain sections and how it changes our overall vibration.
Impacts Of Meditation On Brain Waves
There are five kinds of mind waves we can tap into, and each represents a specific action. Mind waves change as per what you do and feel.
Meditation, when done effectively, can move the cerebrum waves from a higher recurrence to a lower recurrence, subsequently being able to change and control how we feel. (Achanta )
Various pieces of the mind get animated in a specific way during contemplation:
The frontal flap, which plans and reasons, switches off during reflection, causes us to isolate and unwind.
The thalamus, which transfers performance and tangible signs to the cerebral cortex, hinders its movement, empowering you to try to avoid panicking.
The parietal projection, which gives you a feeling of time, additionally eases back down, assisting with bringing down your pressure and nervousness levels.
The reticular affects your cerebrum alarm and causes you react to circumstances. During reflection, the reticular movement eases back down, permitting you to resist the urge to panic and become tranquil.
Meditation like any other activity takes repetition and time to master. The consistent pursuit to reach deeper levels of meditation takes patience and practice. The five main levels of vibrations we tap into are: alpha, beta, theta, gamma, and delta.
1. Alpha Waves
Alpha waves are the most widely recognized cerebrum waves that happen toward the start of contemplation as you attempt to go into a more profound perspective. They are electromagnetic motions with a recurrence scope of 8-12 Hz. A healthy individual producing alpha waves which enhances their overall sense of relaxation and fatigue. We feel calm and at ease. This wave length allows our mind to shift from one activity to another easily.
Function: Alpha waves quiet the sensory system. They lower our resting heart rate and blood pressure. These waves bring down the creation of stress chemicals and advance unwinding of our mind to ease. (Achanta)
2. Beta Waves
Beta waves happen with a recurrence scope of 12-30 Hz. They become dynamic when the mind is dealing with objective situated undertakings, like arranging an occasion or contemplating over an issue. Beta is normal with those that are alert and anxious and have their eyes open. Easy way to understand this, is when your eyes are open and you are listening and thinking while problem solving.
Beta has three levels, low, mid and high. Low Beta is 12-15Hz. Mid Beta is 15-18Hz. High Beta is 18-30Hz.
Function: Beta waves make us more mindful and improve fixation. They increment sensible reasoning and build up your conversational capacities. (Achanta )
3. Theta Waves
Theta waves are regularly connected with the 'third eye' as they help us tap into our intelligence, as per profound lessons. These become prevalent when we do any activity that is programmed like driving, washing garments, shampooing hair, and so forth. They are likewise present in staring off into space and paranormal marvels. Theta activity has a frequency of 3.5 to 7.5 Hz.
Function: Theta waves give a positive mental state and energize imagination. They improve your critical thinking abilities and increment your memory. The waves improve your concentration and keep you quiet and adjusted. (Achanta )
4. Gamma Waves
Gamma waves are related with extreme core interest. Gamma is measured between 30 and 44 (Hz) and is the only frequency group found in every part of the brain. Good memory is associated with this frequency. Some people with learning disabilities often don't have a lot of activity within the 40hz frequency.
Function: Gamma waves decline tension and increment positive feelings. They diminish burdensome sentiments and side effects related. (Achanta )
5. Delta Waves
Delta waves are high sufficiency mind waves with a recurrence of 0-4 Hz. These brainwaves are most related with the phases of rest or some abnormal processes. Incorrect Delta response often severely restricts the ability to focus and maintain attention, as if the brain is in a state of drowsiness. Think of Delta being first gear in any motor vehicle. Babies up to the age of One, often show high levels of this frequency.
Function: Delta waves increment the creation of two maturing chemicals, DHEA and melatonin. They help advance deeper sympathy and compassion for other people, improve social insight, and keep away from strife. The waves encourage snappy mending and higher recovery. (Achanta )
Understanding the scientific side of meditation, gives us a higher sense of trust and faith in this practice, as we know it will create real results and deep tranquility. As well, having psychological backing and evidence, teaches us that meditation can create physical manifestation and enlightenment beyond most peoples imagination... We at M!NDSET know the amazing value of meditation. And see the results in our clients and our selves when we learn to reflect and "tune in" to our highest self. With an elevated consciousness we make smarter life decisions, perceive life in a much more grateful way, and "ground out" our negative energy that life throws at us in pursuit to lower our vibrations. Our quest to consistently "ponder" with a focus and purpose, allows us to envision our dreams and goals, ensuring we maintain our path to success with an elevated mindset and focus to guide our energy in the right direction.
Stay focused...stay healthy...stay in the moment
Level Up!
Love
M!NDSET Team
Electroencephalogram (EEG) is what we use to evaluate the electrical activity in your brain and record the waves, which are measured in cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz).
work cited:
Mead, Elaine M. “The History and Origin of Meditation.” PositivePsychology.com, 1 Sept. 2020, positivepsychology.com/history-of-meditation/.
Achanta , Ramya. “5 Types Of Brain Waves And Effects Of Meditation On Them.” STYLECRAZE, 8 Aug. 2019, www.stylecraze.com/articles/types-brain-waves-effects-meditation/.
