Posts Tagged ‘binaural beats meditation’
How Does Binaural Beats Work During Meditation?
Binaural literally means “having or relating to two ears.” Binaural hearing, along with frequency cues, lets humans and other animals determine direction of origin of sounds.
Binaural beats or binaural tones are auditory processing artifacts, or apparent sounds, the perception of which arises in the brain for specific physical stimuli. This effect was discovered in 1839 by Heinrich Wilhelm Dove, and earned greater public awareness in the late 20th century based on claims that binaural beats could help induce relaxation, creativity and other desirable mental states.A lot of people uses Binaural Beats in meditation to help them tune into deeper relaxation states of mind.
So what is the science behind Binaural Beats? When two different frequencies enter your ears, Entrainment is basically what the “brain” interprets, versus what “you” hear. For example, if your right ear is hearing 320 Hz, and your left ear is hearing 330 Hz, then your brain is hearing 10 Hz (330 – 320 = 10).
The brain operates on four different frequencies. They are beta, alpha, theta and delta. Beta is the most active brainwave, whereas delta is the most inactive. Beta brainwaves are found when you are alert and actively thinking and doing. Theta brainwaves occur when you are in a more relaxed state, like day dreaming. Theta occurs when you are in a light sleep, dreaming, and during meditation. Delta is only found during the deepest sleep and during the deepest meditation.
People use Binaural Beats in different ways, but I find starting at beta, and working my way down to delta is most effective. It allows ones brain to progress slowly through all the frequencies, and makes the transition down easier. You don’t necessarily need to go to delta every time. Going to theta is fine for daily meditation. Delta is really only necessary if you are trying to go into the deepest meditative state possible.
The internet is a great resource for finding a lot of information about binaural beats. Alternately, you can purchase some great meditation CD’s that incorporate the use of Binaural Beats. from sites like www.binaural-mind.com, www.mymindshift.com etc
It is important to note, that in order for your brain to “hear” Binaural Beats, each tone must be directed to the left and right ear individually. So, the use of headphones is imperative. Simply listening to them through speakers will not work. It is also important to know that the use of Binaural Beats is not recommended for those that suffer from seizures, or for children.
For me, the use of Binaural Beats has greatly helped to get into deeper meditative states much faster. I have also experimented with using Binaural Beats for other purposes as well. For instance, I have found that if I listen to theta waves, followed by delta waves at bedtime, I sleep deeper and more soundly. I also seem to dream more vividly when I do this. Since the uses of Binaural Beats are so diverse, and it is deemed safe for the majority of individuals, I highly recommend giving it a try. You may be on your way to your first out of body experience.
