What Is The Theory Behind Meditation?

Meditation is a traditional technique that has been used throughout history for many thousands of years.  In fact, it has world wide appeal due to its effects of calming the mind and body, and releasing stress from your body.  Have you prayed before?  If so, some people claim prayer as a form of meditation.

Meditation has the potential to bring your issues, problems, etc. into focus and provide you more clarity.  Some even claim to have solved problems they were struggling with through meditation.  Not only is this technique considered a problem solver, it has been used to foster creativity and motivation to implement new ideas (e.g., to lose weight, get six-pack abs, etc.).

A Simple Form Of Meditation

In this form of meditation you will need to be in a quiet area or room, either sitting comfortably on the floor or chair, being cognizant of your posture (i.e., sitting straight).  The best scenario is to use the same spot on a daily basis.  This area should make you feel comfortable, not stressed in any way or shape.

The key to this technique is for you sit quietly and while eyes closed, focus on a point between your eyes and in the center of your forehead.  And using this location as your focal point during meditation will encourage theta wave consciousness.  This, according to many who practice meditation is the basis of this technique.

In general, the brain is known to generate four different types of brainwave patterns throughout the day:

• Beta waves are generated when we are actively engaged in thinking, problem-solving, working, etc.  This occurs in our waking, conscious state.
• Alpha waves are generated when we are relaxed and calm, normally in the awake state.  For example, taking a rest, closing the eyes after working on a complex project for one hour.
• Theta waves (4-7 hz) are generated when you daydream, fantasize, imagine, visualize, or during inspirational thinking or deep relaxation.  It also occurs during your REM sleep (dreaming), and the state of consciousness right before you sleep and after you wake up from your sleep.  It is suggested that during the theta state, your mind is capable of profound learning, growth and healing.
• Delta waves (below 4 hz) are generated during deep sleep.  In this state, you are in total unconsciousness, a deep and dreamless sleep.

So that's the reason why meditation strives to achieve the theta brain wave state.  Some say that theta waves are the "sweet spot" for your brain's functioning since it puts you in a state of extreme relaxation, clear and vibrant mental imagery and creativity, awakens your intuition and enhances learning.

Triggering The Theta State With Meditation

Did you know that the brilliant physicist, Albert Einstein, trained himself to be in the theta state for long periods of time?  Maybe he got his brilliance from that state where instantaneous healings and accelerated learning occurs, and where intuition comes.

• First of all, try not to think of anything in particular, allowing your mind to calm down and enter a peaceful state.
• Secondly, focus on that location I mentioned earlier on this post (i.e., between your eyes and center of forehead).
• Thirdly, while focusing on that location, start counting in descending order from 100 as you breathe in and exhale after each number.  As you are counting, visualize yourself as getting light, feeling relaxed, and starting to float off the floor.
• Fourthly, as you continue to count down, visualize yourself as a limp doll, in a very relaxed state, floating in a comfortable and safe environment.  As you reach the count of one, allow yourself to feel relaxed and safe, releasing all the tensions you accumulated during the day.
• And finally, when you are ready to exit this state, you have two choices:  (1) to go to sleep; or (2) get back to the conscious, awake state.  If you elect to wake-up from this state, just remember to keep that relaxed, safe and comfortable feeling with you.

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In our busy lives, it is a good idea to incorporate some time for meditation within our daily schedules.  You may start with a minute, maybe even 15 minutes.  And it is recommended that you increase the length of your meditation sessions to thirty or even sixty minutes.