Binaural meditation uses two different audio streams to encourage the brain to enter one of four frequency states, including alpha, beta, delta, and theta. The technique is a tool to help achieve meditation and encourages one frequency to become more dominant than the others.
Following the discovery in 1839 that audio impulses can have an effect on brain wave activity, binaural meditation has become a popular tool for promoting relaxation. The technique is based on two different audio streams delivered to the user, one to the left ear and the other to the right. The name comes from the practice of using two – bi – streams of auditory, or auditory, signals to initiate a meditative state. Because the brain can’t accurately distinguish between the two audio tracks, the resulting experience is that of a steady, rhythmic beat.
Binaural meditation uses an auditory medium known as binaural beats. Put simply, these audio tracks encourage the brain to enter one of four frequency states. Each frequency state is related to what the body is doing at any given moment, and by encouraging the brain to enter these states, one can initiate a meditative state more easily than using more common meditation techniques. The brain frequency states that can be activated through binaural meditation are known as alpha, beta, delta and theta states.
The most common frequency in which the brain operates is beta. At this frequency, the brain is considered to be as alert and active as during waking hours. The alpha state occurs during periods of relaxation.
While remaining alert enough to react if needed, the brain can still take actions during this state. The alpha frequency gave rise to the common term alpha sleep, which refers to those times when a person performs an activity and yet has little memory of doing so. Alpha sleep can most commonly occur during monotonous activities that are undertaken on a regular basis and can occasionally result in potentially dangerous situations, such as while driving.
Most binaural meditation sequences will begin by bringing the brain to the alpha frequency and proceeding to the theta state. The theta frequency is the key meditative state as it is the dominant brain frequency during dreams. It is in this state that people may experience hallucinations or visions while meditating. The final frequency is the delta state, which occurs during deep sleep.
To be successful in binaural meditation, the individual still needs to ignore thought patterns and dissociate from prevailing feelings to enter the meditative state. The use of binaural beats should be considered a tool to help achieve meditation. The brain actually operates within all four frequencies simultaneously; one, and occasionally two, of the frequency states will be dominant at any one time. Binaural meditation encourages one frequency to become more dominant than the others. Once the rhythmic binaural beat ends, however, the brain will automatically revert to the naturally experienced brain frequency.
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