Meditation + NeuroFeedback
If you're into self-development or curious about how to overcome challenges or trauma treatments, you may have heard of neuro-feedback.
As a disclaimer, I used to think meditation was a waste of time, being a busy, working, single mum ... to be honest, I didn't feel this was a good use of my time when I had some 'free time'. This was typically a chance to catch up on all the everyday life things. I also didn't really understand it, and sitting still didn't work to calm my mind. If anything it caused more stress thinking about all the things I had to do, so it just wasn't going to happen.
I then discovered a moving meditation that worked for me & got me into 'flow state'... it was an amazing trance like feeling in which I was much more creative and innovative in everything.
Now I feel that meditation is quite misunderstood and the 'guru's' make it seem like there's only a few ways to "do it correctly".
The truth is, 'flow state' is meditative. The bio-feedback and neurofeedback is the scientific measurement part of the equasion.
When measured by an EEG (electroencephalography), our brainwaves are classified into the following 'states' by neuroscience.
- Delta waves (0.5 to 3 Hz)
- Theta waves (3 to 8 Hz) [Theta brainwaves occur most often in sleep but are also dominant in deep meditation.]
- Alpha waves (8 to 12 Hz)
- Beta waves (12 to 38 Hz)
- Gamma waves (38 to 42 Hz)
If you like to know more in depth info on Brainwaves & states you can go to the MUSE website for all the scientific goodness.
In my practice and for clients I use and recommend a basic home neurofeedback device called Muse, which gives myself and clients feedback on what their brainwaves are actually doing. Data which they can then use to observe how they feel when in different states.
It links to the muse app on your smartphone and is more effective when used with a good quality pair of headphones, although you can just choose a quiet space and listen to your phone for feedback as you meditate.
This link will take you to the online store so you can check it out, and also get you 15% off your muse at the checkout if you're interested in trying it.
You can then use the muse software to link to your therapist or practitioners account so they can see how you're doing and provide guidance.
What I discovered about myself ...
This is the interesting part (in my humble opinion)
I've been using numerous relaxation & spiritual practices over the years and in the past few years I've been loving the meditations by Dr Joe Dispenza, in combination with breathe work by Wim Hof (Reviewing these experiences and the books etc. is on my 'to do' list, I promise! but I've linked to their books on Amazon for reference).
I've even found that I have been achieving 'flow state' or alpha state while at work, which is amazing.
Disclaimer: working in my own business has it's benefits, in that I can schedule time to recalibrate, although I've also been working in a busy psychology clinic after-hours & working at reception dealing with mental health triage and clients who are in distress, can be stressful at times.
However, I didn't have the data behind how I achieved these calm states while under pressure until I started using the Muse device. I could then link how different brainwaves states felt, both physically and mentally.
Additional to this, my studies and practice in Rapid Transformation Therapy, for myself and also working with clients, it's amazing how much power we have to control our mind and internal state. However, It does take work to get there and with guidance of a good holistic practitioner or therapist you can get there faster.
If you're struggling with anxiety, depression, lack of motivation or feeling overwhelmed, learning about meditation will be the best (and least expensive) thing you ever do for yourself. Think of it as investing in your future and imminent success!
Your minds only job is survival - so don't believe everything you think ... become the objective observer.