Advanced Concepts Flashcards
What are the functions of Brainwaves
To create ‘states of being’.
Behind every thought, emotion or behaviour we display is the communication between neurons within our brains. As this communication occurs, brainwaves are fired o” by synchronised electrical pulses or oscillations. These brainwaves create ‘states of being’ that enhance an individual’s mental productivity and range from intensely focused, alert or creative to relaxed or a full sleeping state. Every person – man, woman, or child – across cultures and ethnicities experiences the same characteristic brainwaves.
How many and what are the types of Brainwaves?
Four.
Four brainwave states range from high awareness and alertness to deep, dreamless sleep – beta, alpha, theta and delta. We transition through these states throughout the day and during sleep. They can be detected using EEG technology with sensors placed on the scalp.
What are Beta Waves typically synonymous with?
Alert, waking activity.
Beta waves range from 12-38 Hz and are typical during alert, waking activity. High beta waves range from 20.5 Hz upwards and coincide with states of high stress. Alpha waves ranging from 8-12 Hz can be thought of as a state of wakeful rest, a light, meditative, or daydreaming state.
What are Theta Waves typically synonymous with?
Sleep / Deeper Meditative states.
Beta waves range from 12-38 Hz and are typical during alert, waking activity. High beta waves range from 20.5 Hz upwards and coincide with states of high stress. Alpha waves ranging from 8-12 Hz can be thought of as a state of wakeful rest, a light, meditative, or daydreaming state.
Vivid mental imagery occurs during theta, and many spiritual practices have developed using theta, such as theta healing, which is used for physical healing, reprogramming subconscious beliefs, and manifesting in general. Delta waves, 0.5-4 Hz, are typical of deep sleep; however, new insights are being explored in terms of delta waves in advanced meditators.
What are Gamma Waves typically synonymous with?
States of compassion and unconditional love (hyper-gamma waves). Linked to high cognitive functioning and has been linked to increased learning and memory recall.
Vivid mental imagery occurs during theta, and many spiritual practices have developed using theta, such as theta healing, which is used for physical healing, reprogramming subconscious beliefs, and manifesting in general. Delta waves, 0.5-4 Hz, are typical of deep sleep; however, new insights are being explored in terms of delta waves in advanced meditators.
What is ‘Thoughtless Awareness’?
A sense of oneness with all things.
Non-dual awareness, or Sahaj, literally means ‘not two’ and is a state of thoughtless awareness beyond any sense of individual self. It revolves around the sense of ‘oneness with all things’, a sense of connection to and identity with the entire universe, the awareness of ‘I AM’, the true identity, and the state of witnessing.
This pure state of awareness occurs in advanced meditators. In Ken Wilber’s experiment, the EEG recordings showed almost no brain activity. What this indicates about the mind-body connection is interesting; Wilber explains that this non-dual awareness, then, is not really generated in the brain. This phenomenon has not yet been researched to the same extent as the more common brainwave states.
What are Epsilon waves associated with?
Mythical experiences.
What is Brain-Heart Coherence?
The synergetic or consistent communication between our brain and our heart.
The human heart consists of a network of 40,000 neurons communicating directly with the brain. More communication occurs from the heart to the brain than vice versa. Like the brain, the heart also has an electromagnetic field that can be measured, yet the field of the heart is 5,000 times stronger than that of the brain and influences our environment and reality.
A state of coherent communication between the brain and the heart has many benefits, and some meditation techniques can help us achieve this state. Coherence also occurs naturally, although it is important to note that this is not the same as general relaxation. You can incorporate this concept into any meditation teaching.
What are some of the benefits of heart coherence?
It can improve our relationships with ourselves and with those around us. It benefits physical health in many ways; it improves all systems, including the immune, nervous, and digestive systems; it releases DHEA, the anti-ageing hormone; it reduces the stress hormone cortisol; and it improves sleep and energy levels. Cognitively, it improves learning, concentration, and problem-solving abilities.
What is the key point of enlightenment in any tradition?
The state of enlightenment is only achieved through practice, not through rationalising. It’s not something you can teach students, but you can give them the tools to experience it for themselves.
What is Yoga Nidra?
Yogic Sleep.
Yoga Nidra, otherwise known as Yogic Sleep, originates from both Hinduism and Buddhism. (Yoga meaning oneness, Nidra meaning sleep). It is practised lying down, is usually guided and has the benefit of deep and restorative relaxation, allegedly as effective as sleep. The mind remains conscious throughout the process.
The state of relaxation can be compared to a deep hypnotic state, a state between sleeping and waking consisting of mostly theta and delta brainwaves, and ultimately, a delta state where the mind is still aware. All attention is focussed within and no awareness is on the environment, time, or any other physical factor aside from the voice that is guiding the process.
What are the benefits of Yoga Nidra?
It can help with insomnia and stress relief.
There is evidence to show that anandamide is released, which prevents the development of cancer cells, otherwise known as the ‘bliss molecule’. (Ananda is a Sanskrit word meaning joy, bliss, or delight.) Delta brainwaves are also known to produce growth hormone, which helps to repair cells, improve immune function and protein synthesis, and regulate metabolism, among many other physiological processes.
Yoga Nidra can be good for people new to meditation as it may be an easier way for some to experience new states of consciousness and an easier and more effective way to learn to relax compared to a typical relaxation exercise or guided relaxation visualisation. It may be especially helpful for people struggling to let go and experiencing resistance to the present moment.
Yoga Nidra is not simply a more accessible form of meditation for beginners, it can also help with experiencing states of awareness and oneness more typical in a more advanced individual. Since it encompasses both the aspects of relaxation and insight or greater awareness, depending on the individual, Yoga Nidra may be a good introduction to meditation in general and suitable for use in a class of mixed abilities.
Yoga Nidra is sometimes used to help manifest and change behaviours, as an intention can be set at the start and let go of so that the subconscious or spiritual resources can be set to work on the goal. This is similar to a concept mentioned by the Law of Attraction author, Richard Dotts. He discusses how peace can be used to manifest, focusing on the intention before accessing a state of deep peace and allowing it to be taken care of.
What does a Yoga Nidra session comprise of?
A Yoga Nidra session typically begins with setting an intention, followed by a body scan and becoming mindful of the physical body. The next stage is focused on the breath and relaxing further into an alpha state; deeper restful states follow.
The length of the session is sometimes considered advanced when longer than 45 minutes; however, this may not be accurate. In fact, those who experience more stress and mental chatter potentially need a lot longer to follow the cues and can actually find guided meditations frustrating when they move at a faster pace. Therefore, do not be put off by the idea that a longer session should only be used for deep exploration. You may consider teaching Yoga Nidra within your practice, otherwise, it can be a good recommendation for students to do in their own time.
What is the Taoist 10,000 Agendas?
In Taoism, an agenda is an issue that we experience that we want to resolve, and the number 10,000 is used metaphorically due to the infinite possibilities of what people might want to change.
An agenda can be any unproductive belief or subconscious programming we have that doesn’t serve us, such as trauma, a problem in a specific area of our life, problems from childhood, etc. It is a good technique to use for forgiveness.
The technique used is a process for dissolving the issue by releasing the stored energy in the body that is associated with it. Chinese medicine states that emotions are stored in the organs, and by clearing the blocked energy, our well-being can be restored, physically and emotionally. For example, anger is associated with the liver, fear with the kidneys, worry with the spleen, and sadness is associated with the lungs. Sometimes, these emotions are linked to different organs depending on the circumstances, but this is a general overview.
The process of dissolving is sometimes visualised as an energy blockage, like a block of ice, which returns to water, fluid, and relaxed when the energy is released.
Before dissolving the agenda, it is recommended that you contemplate it so that the mind can focus on it during the meditation. If you pay attention to the body, you will feel where it is held and the energy behind the ideas. The energy is not necessarily stored in one location, and a full body scan is done during the process of dissolving.
During the process, you can place your hand on the associated area if the blockage is linked to one area more strongly. Focusing on it dissolves the energy. Attention must be placed on the block without judgment or engagement with it.
Observing the blockage in a mindful state, we remain focussed on it impartially, and the blockage will start to dissolve. Generally, we feel from the top of the head downwards, noticing any sensation of discomfort associated with the agenda. Each time we notice something, we apply the dissolving method.
We must accept the feeling and release any resistance to it, simply observing it as it is. It is at that point that the blockage begins dissolving. Some blocks will take longer than others and may need several sessions to clear completely, but it is recommended to take as much time as is required in each session until the feeling of energetic discomfort has subsided.
One of the best things about this technique is its simplicity. All that is required is focused attention and mindfulness, which can be done at any time. Therefore, it can easily be incorporated into a class of mixed abilities and different spiritual traditions.
What does the word ‘Kundalini’ mean?
The word Kundalini is a Sanskrit term meaning ‘coiled’ (along with other translations), and its energy is represented as a serpent that lies dormant at the base of the spine, at the root chakra. This energy rises and falls to different degrees throughout our lives and is the source of our life-force energy.
The Kundalini can arise gradually or suddenly, like an explosion in the heart chakra or third eye. Some have reported the sensation of the Kundalini arising and working its way up all of the chakras, clearing away blockages. These types of experiences are sometimes referred to as a Kundalini awakening.
